Sick Epi. pseudepidendrum

[the.joy.of.orchids]

Help!

I bought this guy about two years ago, and after an unfortunate bout of scale (which was quickly dealt with), he just never seemed to recover. Then, it seemed like he was getting ready to bloom, and after leaving him in the care of my parents for a week and a half while at school, the whole stem turned brown. I repotted in September, so I'm hesitant to disturb him again, and the potting material hasn't started deteriorating/isn't overly soggy. Any advice?

[estación seca]

I haven't grow this species, but I've grown other reed-stem species and hybrids.

Epidendrums can wind up looking like this if their roots rot, if they don't get enough water for several weeks or more, if they get too cold, if they don't get enough sun, or if they have a severe spider mite attack. Too much sun and they burn; the brown leaf you show is not sunburned. My guess would be spider mite attack, not enough light or scale insects remaining in hiding. Reed-stem Epis are more susceptible to spider mites than are many other orchids.

Whenever I see this kind of trouble I unpot to look at the roots. An Epi won't mind this at all. Be sure the roots are healthy. There is a chance there are still scale insects near the roots.

The pot is a lot bigger than I would use. I would use a pot just big enough to fit the roots. The medium is fine.

The plant should recover and push new growth when it thinks it's the right temperature. Pay close attention because spider mites can kill emerging shoots quickly.