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nadia07_gw

Den Aggregatum in trouble..

11 years ago

Hi to all, I am quite new to orchids and this site. I thought someone might be able to help, I have already learnt much by perusing this site. Of the 9 Pseudo bulbs on my orchid 4 have shrivelled and yellowed, it looks like the life has been sucked out of part of it!. I am in Australia and we are already in spring. I keep my orchids inside in a sunny position plus the Dendrobium is under a 50W grow light. I was advised this might be caused from the 2 spotted mite ????? As such I have treated it with Eco Oil. Please help,
Regards

Comments (11)

  • 11 years ago

    I've tried different stuff to get rid of bugs and the last thing I tried was putting the whole plant in a sealed bag for a long time thinking they'd suffocate. It might have worked but your plant might resent not getting any air.

  • 11 years ago

    http://h2g2.com/approved_entry/A3482787

    Here is a link to what I follow for my Aggregatum and I've had some success, in other words, it's growing great but hasn't bloomed. I've had it a year now so hopefully next year.

  • 11 years ago

    I don't know about aggregatum, but I grow a few species of dendrobiums (both soft and hard cane) and what I know about them is that they like to be outside in filtered or full sun. Speciosum for example - your local 'rock orchid' as they call it, grows in full sun. Looking at the pic, the 2 leaves on the left are very dark green, meaning it wants sunshine. I would put it outside where it could get all day sun under 40 to 50% shadecloth. Those yellow bulbs are normal for dendrobium - they are just old and dying off but would live longer with correct conditions. Do a search for aggregatum and find out where and how they grow. Only some species of orchids enjoy indoors with just good light and no direct sun. Many species prefer outdoors with filtered sun, wind and rain and do very well in those conditions. Otherwise it looks good and should do well given the right conditions. All my plants are in a shadehouse all year round with some dendrobiums outside in full sun. Hope this is of help.

  • 11 years ago

    Nadia, have a look at the link that Grandy put up, It says it all.

    This orchid as a reputation for being difficult to grow and flower. In particular it needs the winter rest. Reduced watering, high light, no fertilizer, and temps that drop at night.

    If I had one it would be outside under shade-cloth or in an unheated glass-house....Not with my Phalaenopsis which are indoors all year

  • 11 years ago

    I'm pretty sure it is infected or infested with bugs- sorry.

  • 11 years ago

    Not likely, more likely cause by culture difficulties. Those yellow pseudobulbs are dead probably caused by overwatering at the wrong time of the year.

    Even when the older pseudobulbs lose their leaves they should remain green and alive to provide support to the plant during hard times.

    it has earned its reputation for being 'Difficult"

  • 11 years ago

    Thank you CooperDR,Grandy4, Nuts2 and Arthurm for your feedback. Will combine all of your advice - I have visited the link, some great info. I think I will move it outdoors to a shaded position and see how it goes.
    Arthurm do you think I should remove the dead pseudo's or leave as is ?
    Regards

  • 11 years ago

    Nadia, where are you (state)? Culture varies according to climate. Are your other orchids Phalaenopsis?

  • 11 years ago

    Hi Arthur NSW, Maroubra
    My others are Cymbidiums which are doing very well and more Dendrobiums. The Phal's I tend to kill - they were the ones you buy from the fruit and veg shop sitting in spag moss for who knows how long !

  • 11 years ago

    Nadia, Maroubra is Zone 10 in the old USA Zoning System.
    (Handy if you ask questions on this forum)
    Is the plant showing signs of growth from the front of the plant? Might be best is you remove those dead pseudobulbs and pot down to a slightly smaller pot. Then follow the instructions re fertilizing, watering over summer in that slightly sheltered spot. Once you get to about April just let it get the natural rainfall and only water if there are prolonged dry spells.
    Difficult, but rewarding if you can get it to bloom.

  • 11 years ago

    I have had success growing mine in a wooden basket, Guess it keeps me from overwatering. I have found the thicker the leaf the less water that is needed.

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