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Dendrobium new cane sprout's ends rotting

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by ungenannt, May 16, 2017.

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  1. May 16, 2017 #1
    ungenannt

    ungenannt New Member

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    Hi Everyone,

    Please could someone advise why my newly sprouting Dendrobium cane's ends are rotting?

    I tugged on the end of the new sprout, and when doing so it just easily came off, appearing that it has rotted on the stem.

    20170516_203726.jpg 20170516_203748.jpg
    20170516_203657.jpg

    I am truly baffled by this, I have 3 new sprouting cane's, and 2 of them have done this so far. Does anyone know what I am doing wrong???
     
  2. May 16, 2017 #2
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    I can think of two potential problems:

    1) you're allowing water to stand in the crowns of the plants, and they are contracting bacterial or fungal infections. Frankly, the good condition of surrounding tissues make me doubt that one, so...

    2) the plants are not getting a steady supply of calcium. Calcium is essential for the growth of new tissues, but I still poorly translocated within plants. Without a steady supply, the tissues simply die.

    That usually happens when folks use a pure water supply (distilled, reverse osmosis, or rainwater, for example), but the fertilizer they use does not provide calcium.
     
  3. May 18, 2017 #3
    ungenannt

    ungenannt New Member

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    Thanks Ray,

    I haven't been using pure water, so i can just assume that my municipal water supply is lacking in the needed nutrients (I do give fertilizer). Will get some powdered Dolomite Lime, as I read up further after your assistance and got a good report on someone else's similar experiences.

    Here's the link if anyone is interested in reading:

    https://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&s...ggaMAA&usg=AFQjCNHgZxOjWeOLfzb4ohHIh4ake_KRVA
     
  4. May 18, 2017 #4
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    What fertilizer formula do you use, and at twhat concentration and frequency?

    See if you can get a local water analysis.
     
  5. May 18, 2017 #5
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Some municipalities have their water analysis online or at a minimum include it as an annual report in their billing. It should be available somewhere.
     
  6. May 19, 2017 #6
    orcoholic

    orcoholic Member

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    May be water staying in crown too long and increasing temperatures. Warmer water may allow bacterias to develop that can't during cooler periods. Even if the outside temperatures are cool, longer daylight allows water to stay warmer longer.

    A municipal water supply is usually good enough and doesn't cause problems like this. IMO it's cultural.
     
  7. May 20, 2017 #7
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    That depends on your local water supply. My water kills orchids. The municipal water company adds sodium hydroxide to increase the pH. Most orchids can't handle the sodium and slowly go downhill.