Question
I am in Hawaii. My giant white dendrobiums are sending out new flower spikes that are not maturing into blooming spikes. The new spikes are turning brown along the edges where the new flowers are just starting to form. Many of these spikes are also deformed. I have maybe 15 spikes coming out on one plant and perhaps 2/3 are affected early in their development. Most of the spikes do not end up producing flowers. There may be a couple that actually do mature to bloom, but most die. As they grow longer they turn brown and die before they mature. These orchids usually shoot spikes up to 3 feet long with 20-30 flowers per spike.  Any ideas on what I need to do?

Answer
Sandi, from your comments, it sounds as though these plants have bloomed well for you in the past and this is a new development. It sounds environmental but I can't be sure. Could have had a dry spell that caused the spikes to abort or it got too warm.  You may want to discuss this with your local dendrobium experts.  One of the best known of these is Kodama Orchid Nursery in Waianae, HI.  They are located at 86-379 Lualualei Homestead Rd., Waianae, HI  Tel 808-696-4575.  They are about 1 hour from Waikiki. It would be best to take them one of your plants or a picture. If that is inconvenient I know of several other dendrobium nurseries in Hawaii that may be closer.  Preferably, you should discuss this with someone familiar with your particular environmental conditions.  Even in Hawaii, environmental conditions can vary greatly from year to year-- even in the same location.