Dendrobium Burana Stripe Rest Period Violation and Phalaenopsis Newbie Guide

Dendrobium (6 Years, 1 Bloom, Maryland)

Summer outdoors, fall indoors NE window, 25–35% humidity, humidifier. Leaves wilting one side; new shoot toward window.

Critical Error: No Rest Period

• Deciduous Dendrobium = mandatory winter rest.
• Watering during rest → vegetative growth without strength → declining canes.
• Healthy = each new cane larger than previous.

Dendrobium Fix

1. Stop watering; mist mornings only during rest.
2. Pebble tray for humidity.
3. Don't repot/divide—Dendrobiums like tight pots.
4. Add inorganic (perlite, lava rock, charcoal) to existing mix only.

Phalaenopsis (2 Weeks, Valentine's Gift)

Shaded window, water when dry. Few flowers dropped. Reddish-brown leaf spot.

Phalaenopsis Plan

1. Flower drop = likely end of bloom cycle (unknown age at purchase).
2. Red-brown spot = possibly rust fungus (rubs off) or other fungus (trim leaf).
3. After bloom: repot in fresh orchid mix.
4. Water weekly (morning); feed weakly weekly (¼ tsp/gal).

Resource

AOS website (aos.org) for genus-specific culture sheets.