Den. Unicum with Yellowing Cane
 

I've had this mounted Den. Unicum for just over a year. It's small but has bloomed twice since I got it. As you can see, the newest cane is yellowing/dying and I have no idea why! I know this species is deciduous but I don't think that's what is going on here. The plant hangs in a south facing window with an overhang and gets watered at minimum every other day. It's been hot so I've been trying to water every day.

As far as I know the plant has not been subjected to mechanical damage of any sort and I'm the only one who handles it. Can anyone offer any advise?

Heather

More water, maybe? Tho, being it just the one cane (so far), I don't know ... I don't know what your summer weather is like ... I do know that my mounted plants get watered daily, year-round, unless there is a good deal of moss on the mount, in which case, in winter, it may go a couple of days.

I hope some others may be able to help more!

It's summer, and the plant is supposed to be in leaf. The remaining canes look very dry to me. I suspect you underwatered. Like Sonya, I don't let mine dry out (intentionally.)

It's a vigorous plant, so it should push new growth soon. Since it's mounted you can continue watering frequently. If it's humid outside it might enjoy a summer vacation.

I can certainly increase watering or I can move the plant to my indoor "greenhouse" where I just installed a humidifier. This is such a cool little plant I don't want to lose it! Do you think adding fresh moss to the mount would be a good idea?

Adding some fresh moss may help, as it will retain moisture a bit longer.

Your plant looks dehydrated to me. I have the same species which is in full growing mode right now with lots of leaves.

I would suggest unmounting the plant, and pot it in sphagnum moss in a 2" net pot or clay pot.

I can tell you how I care for mine, which is one of my most gratifying orchids. I water it daily year round, usually with a very dilute fertilizer solution and occasionally with pure rain water or ro. It gets very bright light in the winter, the canes are about 6" from a twin bulb T5HO fixture. As soon as temps are reliably over 50F at night it goes outside under a south facing overhang. It's currently starting to form spikes for it's main bloom, and will probably bloom a little bit again late fall.

Thank you all for the responses. Since I posted, I've been soaking the mount every morning for about an hour and then putting it in my indoor greenhouse where it hangs under 4 24" T5HO bulbs. The mister keeps the humidity between 50-70% throughout the day and temps hang around 70-80F for now. I see some small new growths but I can't tell what they are yet (leaves, roots, canes). I may lose another cane but that is yet to be seen. Fingers crossed with this one!

It doesn't need to be soaked that long every day. A lot of people just dip the mount in water once a day. If the moss is still damp when you go to water, you can wait and water later.

I'm pretty sure this one is a goner :( The last two canes have gone mushy despite new root growth over the last month or so. I was going with the "where there's green there's hope" theory but I don't think this one will pull through. Its my first loss and I'm pretty bummed about it. I want to find a replacement of the same kind because I really liked the flowers on this one!