It is not a hybrid, it is still the species Dendrobium laevifolium. Occurs in nature in the tropics at elevation and probably needs cloud forest conditions. Might be easier to grow there than here.

Just make sure that the spots to not start on the newer growths. There are preparations based on Canola oil that are used to clean leaves and put a preventive layer on the leaves to keep fungus at bay.

The variation is the colour and each seedling that flowers will be unique.

*nod* Thanks.

I think the main difficulty I might have is monitoring watering over the summer, since everything I've read comes to "keep it moist always," but if I check it every day I think things will be okay. I've got other plants I need to check pretty much every day (well, when we start getting weeks of steady highs in the 80s or 90s), so one more isn't that bad.

Reading about it found growing on/in moss in its wild habitat made me
wonder about bringing in a branch with moss growing on it, and mounting it like that, because moss-covered tree limbs are easy to find, buuuut that would dry out faster than sphagnum in a pot. Plus moss from outside would have other tiny things living in it, and I don't know if those might be dangerous to the orchid.

You have to cut affected area and appy systemic fungicide.

The black spots are scar tissue and are not an indication of a current infection.

Cut off the damaged bits if you wish but the cure is to get your your plant into optimum growing conditions.

They are almost impossible to grow here, because of the climate, easier there where the nearby very cool Pacific Ocean moderates temperature extremes.

Apart from the spot where you place the orchid, the other variable that you have control over is the potting mix. Keep in mind that in nature it grows in a mist forest that is damp (usually in the afternoon) nearly every day even if it doesn't rain.

No one is happy with their growing conditions, but there are some very desirable orchids that are easier to grow in the PNW than say Florida, Southern California or here.

I would definitely leave it potted and likely in sphagnum moss. They really, really don't appreciate drying out. I have had a laevifolium for two years. I went out of town for 8 days and it was not watered per my instructions. It dropped its leaves, and the pseudobulbs all shriveled. It is still kind of alive but I am doubtful about its recovery.

When grown well, they are lovely plants. Good luck with yours, just watch the moisture and humidity levels.

Oh, no :( I'm sorry about your plant.

I'm going to be out of town for about a week in June, but I'm going to make sure all the moisture-loving plants are well-watered, and then put them in the bathtub, with a plastic sheet loosely draped over, which should keep them alive and happy (it worked last summer in much hotter weather than I expect in June; the bathroom gets some natural light, but it's relative dim, and the coolest room I have).

Right now I've got it where I see it easily a couple times a day, so I'm getting in the habit of checking the moss every day (or even twice a day), since I don't know how long it takes to dry out, and everything I've read says "keep it moist." Okay!