Why are leaves yellowing on my Dendrobium Biggibum?

[nidiasophia]

HI,

I have a Dendrobium Biggibum (or cooktown as they call it) orchid that is growing a new cane. Everything appeared to be ok, but I am noticing now that leaves on the new cane are turning yellow and falling off.

The problem is that it is not the leaves at the bottom, but leaves closer to the top that are turning yellow and falling off. See the picture for details.

Right now I have the orchid on a windowsill in my office that faces southwest and gets alot of sun.

Any advice?

Thanks

[kiki-do]

I have a hard time with dendrobiums myself. Someone here mentioned a while ago, that they will shed their leaves if they are kept too dry during their growing season. I upped the watering a tad and they responded well. I'm not sure if that is "your" problem, but it sounds like what I was going through.
I would check the roots, too, just to be safe. Hope that helped!

[nidiasophia]

Originally Posted by kiki-do

I have a hard time with dendrobiums myself. Someone here mentioned a while ago, that they will shed their leaves if they are kept too dry during their growing season. I upped the watering a tad and they responded well. I'm not sure if that is "your" problem, but it sounds like what I was going through.
I would check the roots, too, just to be safe. Hope that helped!

Thank you! The roots are amazing actually, nice and white with green tips.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

How're your temperatures?

[nidiasophia]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

How're your temperatures?

I live in Toronto, Canada but the plant stays indoors during the winter.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by nidiasophia

I live in Toronto, Canada but the plant stays indoors during the winter.

Ummm....

...That...doesn't...say...much...

Your house may still be pretty cold - I don't know.

Unless you have numerical values for the temperatures, there's not much anybody can say.

[RosieC]

I've had this, like Kiki says, when I don't water enough and they are actively growing. I find they need more water once they start growing and I'm inclined to forget to up the watering as I see them starting new canes until it's got some dead leaves.

[nidiasophia]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Ummm....

...That...doesn't...say...much...

Your house may still be pretty cold - I don't know.

Unless you have numerical values for the temperatures, there's not much anybody can say.

Sorry, lol

My temperature inside my home is 28 degrees celcius day and night, but the plant sits on a windows sill.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by nidiasophia

Sorry, lol

My temperature inside my home is 28 degrees celcius day and night, but the plant sits on a windows sill.

Temperatures might be too constant. Try a 12 degree C difference between night and day.

Not watering enough can cause it too. And if it is this, the leaf may have the ability to turn green again.

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

And if it is this, the leaf may have the ability to turn green again.

Really now? I've never seen leaves turn back to green once they've gone yellow (orchids or otherwise). I'll have to look into that.