Den. Unicum with Yellowing Cane

[FourN6]

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

[WhiteRabbit]

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!

[estación seca]

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.

[FourN6]

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?

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by FourN6

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.

[Bunch_Of_Roots]

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.

[Subrosa]

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.

[FourN6]

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!

[estación seca]

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.

[FourN6]

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!