Diagnosing a Dendrobium Orchid with Brown, Shriveled Base

Is My Dendrobium Orchid Dying? Brown Stem and Leaf Drop

A reader purchased several orchids at Christmas, including a Dendrobium cross. One plant shows a brown, shriveled base where roots attach, no new roots, all leaves dropped, but four new flower shoots emerge from the stem tips. The other orchids are thriving with new roots and leaves. The plants were imported from Thailand.

Expert Response

Marita, thanks for your question. Knowing the other genus in the cross would help. It's not unusual for Dendrobium canes to turn yellow or brown from intense light; they're fine as long as they remain firm. If you feel softness, rot is setting in—remove the affected cane and seal with a sulfur compound. Most Dendrobiums are deciduous or semi-deciduous, losing leaves during a rest period. During this rest, keep them relatively dry; overwatering is the main cause of loss. Since you see new root or cane growth, minimize watering until that growth appears.