Question
QUESTION: I am new to orchids and just purchased a D Parishii.  I am concerned about the care, as I have leave turning yellow and don't want to have it in the wrong place or be watering it incorrectly.  I cannot find good instructions on the internet.  If you can give advise I'd be thrilled.

ANSWER: Hello Beth,

Dendrobium parishii: note the lower case "p" signifying that this is a dendrobium specie rather than a hybrid.  

One leaf turning yellow is not a big concern but if more start to turn yellow would be a concern.  When you water it, are you watering it in the morning?  It is best to do any watering or misting in the morning to allow enough time for any water on the leaves to evaporate before nightfall.  Water on leafs and other plant parts overnight can be prime breeding environment for the growth of fungus and bacteria which can lead to leaf death, even the entire plant if severe enough.  

If possible, it would be best to grow your dendrobium parishii outdoors as much as possible.  Place it where it will receive good sun exposure but with semi-shade during mid day.  It loves temperatures between 50F to 85F, even lower and higher if given protection from the elements.  It should be starting a growth cycle about now, producing new growths or canes from near the base of the current older canes.  While actively growing, keep it moist but not constantly wet by allowing the potting media to become barely moist between waterings.  It loves humidity above 50% and if your climate is drier than that, mist it in the mornings.  Air movement around it is very important so put it where it will get some nice breezes (no hurricanes, just nice and gentle -- grin).  Dendrobiums do not require lots of fertilizer so go easy on it by using less than half the amount suggested on the container.  

Dendrobium parishii is one of the deciduous dendrobiums which means it will be losing the leaves in the fall.  Because of this, begin reducing watering from mid fall through winter but you can mist it lightly once or twice a week to help maintain some humidity around it.  It should produce flowers along the canes in mid to late winter next year.  

Hope this helped.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.



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

QUESTION: Jim
TY for the info on the D. parishii.  
I will curtail watering to mornings and actually skip a few days in between.   I looked this evening and I have a few leaves (no more than before tho) turning yellow...it could be a combination of the watering and this plant is new to my arbor and it may be in a bit of shock being moved, from its former location (and an expert orchid grower).  As I have a few more leaves yellowing...do you have any other pearls of wisdom on how to stabilize this little guy?  It's outside in  an arbor, protected from direct sun and gets good air circulation.  I expected it to loose leaves in the fall, but it's a little to early!  The canes look good however, and only 2 canes actually have leaves.  I'd send a picture, but not sure if I can do that thru this website.  Let me know if you have any further ideas??
Thanks Beth

Answer
Hi again Beth,

The new yellowing leafs may be due to what had happened in the past, it may take a few weeks to months to get past it.  

The arbor location sounds ideal, even maybe expose it to a little direct early morning sun.  Ideally, the leaves should be a light to medium green color when getting good light exposure.  

No, it is not possible to send photos within a question but if you have the photos stored on one of the photo web sites, you can send the link for the photos and I can copy/paste it into my browser.  

Hope this helped.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.