My Sickly Dendrobium

[Newbiegreenthumb]

So I've had this dendrobium for about 9 months now and it has been doing just amazing. But over the last three or four days, the base of the new cane turned black and the whole cane has gone over sideways. There's obviously a problem but I don't know what it is! And It's also apparent that I've lost the cane so I don't know what I should do for the thing...

[Laura81]

Sounds like a bacterial or fungal infection. Can you post a pic of the plant? You should probably cut that cane off with a sterile knife, and then treat the rest of the plant with Physan 20. How often are you watering your dendrobium? You might also want to check the condition of the potting media. If it is broken down, it won't dry out very well, which can cause fungal problems.

[Newbiegreenthumb]

I'll get a picture here soon. I don't think the potting medium is the problem, It's only like a 2 or 3 months old so practically brand new. It drains really well.

[jfrizz743]

I'll get a picture here soon. I don't think the potting medium is the problem, It's only like a 2 or 3 months old so practically brand new. It drains really well.

Well, if you got it at an orchid nursery, then the medium is probably still good. However, if you purchased it at a grocery or big box store, even though it seems to drain well, there's probably a big ball of sphagnum in the center wrapped around the roots, which will take forever to dry out. If that's the case, I would suggest unpotting the plant, cutting off any infected parts of a plant, using a new, sterile razor blade for each cut. Then, repot it into a better medium.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I have found it is always better to repot your new orchids even if they come from a trusted source. Putting your plants into your own mix is winning half of the battle. This way your orchids are all going to withstand your watering habits.

Cheers,
BD

[JoeW]

I'll get a picture here soon. I don't think the potting medium is the problem, It's only like a 2 or 3 months old so practically brand new. It drains really well.

Did you recently repot the den? Dendrobiums grow best in pots small for the size of the plant. They like to be potted firmly in the medium, with the roots getting ample drainage and aeration. Unlike phalenopsis, dendrobiums store water in their pseudobulbs (canes with and without leaves) and do not need frequent care. My Den. phals want to be very root bound and very close to completely dried out before they get watered.

[jfrizz743]

I have found it is always better to repot your new orchids even if they come from a trusted source. Putting your plants into your own mix is winning half of the battle. This way your orchids are all going to withstand your watering habits.

Cheers,
BD

I agree fully. Not only do you get to repot into a mix that you understand and are familiar with, but also you never know what is inside of someone else's mix. I once unpotted a Phrag seedling only to find a centipede hanging out in there. That's fine if I were growing all mine outside, but I grow indoors, mostly. I don't want to bring centipedes inside if I can help it...

[Newbiegreenthumb]

I did repot it in my own mix. That's why I know what the age of it is. I water about every six days or so, that's about how long it takes for the medium to dry out. I'm gonna order some Physan so that I can treat it, it's just so GRRR!!!! Ya know?

Oh and has anyone encountered new growth coming out of last years cane?