Ascocenda with crown rot

[wolf71758]

Ascocenda started dropping leaves and when I was inspecting it the the uppermost section came off in my hands. Base of this section was brown and mushy so I'm guessing crown rot had set in and I had missed it earlier. After removing most of the central stem (dusted cut with cinnamon) I'm left with 3" of stem, no leaves but healthy roots. Any chance this will survive and throw off a keiki or should I relegate it to the compost pile? I grow indoors/window sill and mist every 1-2 days.
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[catttan]

You have done as much as you can . I suggest for you to keep it and hope for the best.

[raybark]

Assuming the rest of the plant is healthy, I'd say the odds are pretty good of a side shoot.

[kspalding]

In the case of crown-rot on a Vandaceous Orchid, the only guaranteed solution is to removed the crown completely, so that the rest of the plant does not get infected and/or become a hotbed for fungus, pathegens, and bacteria. One way would be to pull out the infected crown. The other possibility would be to cut off the top portion of of the plant (leaving behind a "stump") and treating the open wounds of the plant with a fungicide. With the lack of crown and the removal of rot will produce new keikis. To avoid any new problems, avoid standing water in crown. If you mass water your plants as a group, you can prevent this by drying the center of the crown with cotton or tissue.

[wolf71758]

Thanks to each of you for the guidance. It appears my orchids have presented me with another "opportunity" to learn patience.
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[kspalding]

How is ur orchid doing. Have u checked the roots? What color r they. This will determine the steps needed to regrow.

[wolf71758]

How is ur orchid doing. Have u checked the roots? What color r they. This will determine the steps needed to regrow.

After a little more than a week the plant appears to be stable. No additional rot on the remaining 3 inch stump. Roots still turning bright green after each watering.
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[Brutal_Dreamer]

Thanks to each of you for the guidance. It appears my orchids have presented me with another "opportunity" to learn patience.
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Great way to think about it, Bob! Good luck to you!

cheers,
BD

[tucker85]

I agree with the others, the plant should grow a keiki or, if you're lucky, more than one. I have recently discovered that orchids resist rot a lot better if they get plenty of calcium and magnesium. I recommend using a fertilizer that contains calcium or, if you use one that doesn't contain calcium, use a cal/mag supplement a couple times a month. Cal/mag supplements are available at hydroponic stores or online.