Black roots and dry new spikes with bulbs ( before flower opens) are - Orchid Board

Cristy2430 · #1 10-27-2019, 12:21 PM

Hi! My name is CristyZM . I live in Miami. I have a lots of dendrobium orchids attached to a palm tree for about 5-6 years and they always did fine. Recently I noticed that the new spikes where drying up before the flower will come out and that the roots where become black ( not mushy), like a black dirt on it. Wondering what I’m dealing with and what need to be done in order to get them healthy again. The leaves itself they are good.

aliceinwl · #2 10-29-2019, 01:18 AM

It looks like there’s some kind of rot in the base of a lot of the canes. I’m not sure what the best option would be.

aliceinwl · #3 10-30-2019, 01:00 AM

Hopefully someone else chimes in, but if it were mine I might try something like Inocucor Garden Solution since it’s not growing in a situation that allows for sterilization. If the plants themselves have value, I’d try to detach and individually pot up a number of keikis or canes if you can find some without rot. These would act as insurance if the parent can’t be saved.

SouthPark · #4 10-30-2019, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cristy2430

Hi! My name is CristyZM . I live in Miami. I have a lots of dendrobium orchids attached to a palm tree for about 5-6 years and they always did fine. Recently I noticed that the new spikes where drying up before the flower will come out and that the roots where become black ( not mushy), like a black dirt on it.

Does black-coloured region powdery? Does it transfer to your finger as dark coloured powder etc? If the issue is fungicide related, then a systematic fungicide treatment might help. A systematic fungicide for orchids at recommended dosage. Drench the whole plant - roots, leaves and all.

Totally agree with what alice recommended too. Grab some divisions or keiki's, and treat them too, and plant those separately. Spread the eggs out in different baskets.

If the orchid had been growing well for 5 or 6 years in that spot, then the chances are it should be able to keep growing like that. But, all the same ----- take some divisions, and make some backups, just in case.