Question
QUESTION: Hi Jim!

    Hope all is good with you! As usual, I have a problem {{{grin}}}. There's something going on with my den's especially the new growth. It seems to be turning white...around the edges and in streaks along the leaves. It doesn't come off when I try to scrub it and I'm afraid it's going to damage the new growth, cause some of it seems to be dying. There is a little brown mixed in, mostly on the edges, more like spots....I'm flummoxed. Also, the leaves are not cut, like with snails. Any idea what it could be and how to treat it? As always, thank you in advance for ALL your help and have a great week!

   Sheryl

ANSWER: Hi Sheryl,

Yes, all is good with me because I woke up this morning!!  At my age I'm just happy to wake up!!!!!  (LOL)  

White streaks in the new growth leaves could be an indication of some mineral deficiency in the dendrobium, not quite sure what it is but I could check my orchid library for the cause.  Until then, try mixing one teaspoon epsom salt in a quart of water and use it to water with and do this for the next 3 waterings.  Hopefully, the epsom salt will correct the deficiency.  

Write back in a few days, I'll check my library in the mean time.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.



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

QUESTION: Hi Jim
   
    I'm trying out the Epson salt like you suggested, but wanted to give you a little more info in the quest for a solution. My orks have a eastern exposure under shade...maybe too much light for the new growth? Also I feed them about once a month with Schultz orchid food...one teaspoon per 2 gallons...I try to be more diligent with feeding when there's new growth....maybe that's too much or too strong? We've also had a lot of rain lately...maybe they're getting too much water?

   Anyway, hope that might help and thanks again for your help!

   Sheryl

ANSWER: Hi Sheryl,

An eastern exposure is about ideal for dendrobiums, especially if can receive a couple hours of early morning direct sunlight.  Feeding it at the rate of one teaspoon per 2 gallons is not much, but that is okay as dendrobiums do not require lots of it.  Rain is not much of a problem so long as there are breezes present to help dry it off fairly quickly once it stops.  But, if there is little or no air movement around it, it might be best to place it where it will be protected from the rains.  

Keep in mind that the white streaks will probably not become green after trying the epsom salt, they will probably remain.  Keep an eye on any new leafs for the presence of white streaks.  By the way, there are some orchids that can have variegated leafs, yours may be one of them but most of them produce streaky leafs all along, not after the growths have matured.  Orchids with variegated leafs are highly prized by many growers.  

Hope this helped.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.



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

QUESTION: Hi Jim!

    I did the epsom salt like you suggested, but any new growth is doing the same thing....edges are turning brown and some are dying. It almost looks like something is sucking the life out of them, so I took a chance and repotted them. Unfortunately, I doubt the leaves are variegated, as the streaks remind me of worm holes, without the holes. I guess at this rate I'll just hope for the best.

   Thanks again for all your help!

   Sheryl

Answer
Hi Sheryl,

Be patient a little longer as it can take weeks if not months for any changes to be visible.  In the mean time, keep them growing and look for any new growths that may appear and whether they have the streaks.  

Write back once in a while with an update - good or bad but hopefully mostly good.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.