Question
QUESTION: Hi,

I need help right away!  I have a Dendrobium that I got for Mother's Day, it had flowers, then stopped.  After reading some of the other Q&A's I've learned that I may have given the plant a fungus by misting the leaves late in the day.  All of the leaves have fallen off, and one the canes completely just rotted, so I cut it off.  The other large one is starting to rot, but hasn't completely, and of course the roots are gummy, but not completely brown.

Also, I have a leafless cane that has remained that way since I got the plant.  I need to know what to do about the leafless cane, on how to make it start a spike, and what to do now that I gave the plant a fungus.  Should I repot the entire plant in a new medium?  The good part of the cane is still very much alive, and green inside.

I don't want to kill this plant, I want it to thrive, so please, please help!  Any advice is greatly appreciated, and I know that time is of the essence. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to bring it back!  I've been keeping it in the dining room, Southern side of the house, out of the sun, and until I misted the leaves at night, I didn't have this problem, but I still wasn't getting any blooms after the flowers that were on it when I got it fell off.

The plant isn't that big, and it's in a 6 inch Franklin pot, with several drainage and air holes.  Thank you! :)

ANSWER: Hi Carrie,

I'm afraid with the problems you described on your dendrobium orchid plant, it does not look good but I'll try to help you save it - hopefully.  

You've already done some minor surgery on it, I would suggest doing a little more.  Before beginning surgery, make sure you have several clean and sterile cutters handy, the reason for this is to minimize the potential of transferring the infection from diseased tissue to healthy growths via the cutters.  I use industrial grade single-edged razor blades for this purpose, they are fairly cheap and available at most paint and hardware stores.  Use them to make one cut then throw them away.  Just be careful to not cut yourself!!  Ouch!, I've done that.  

When you repot it is a good time to do the surgery, cut off the infected parts plus some healthy parts beyond it to make sure you've gotten all of it.  Take a look at the cut to make sure there are no signs of the infection in it such as dark spots or rings in the healthy tissue, if there is even one tiny speck cut off more until there is no visible infection.  Remove any soft mushy roots.  

Once you've cut off the infected parts, sprinkle some powdered cinnamon on all the cuts.  Yes, the stuff used in baking!  Cinnamon has a mild fungicide and bactericide ability.  Clean the old pot and repot the dendrobium with fresh orchid potting media.  

Hope this helps save your dendrobium.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Jim,

Thank you very much for the wonderful advice!  I will do that right away!  I will also let you know about any progress, good or bad.  I really appreciate the response, and you taking the time to help me.  I do have razor blades in my workshop, and I will be sure to sterilize them first.

Thank you again! :)

Answer
Hi Carrie,

Yes, keep me informed of what is happening.  To sterilize razor blades, the best method is in a hot flame or you can wipe the blades clean and placing them in a concentrated solution of TSP (tri-sodium-phosphate) for 30 minutes.  

Good luck with your dendrobium.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.