Removing dry sheaths on cane type orchids

[Iklaikk]

I read something recently that said you should remove the dry papery sheath from your canes. I had never heard that before.
Do you all remove the sheath? Is it better to leave it, or is it just a place for pathogens to hide?

For clarification the sheath I am talking about is left from when a leaf dies and falls off, the base of the leaf where it wraps around the cane of any cane type orchid dries and turns papery.

[SouthPark]

For orchids in the wild ------ there's nobody to remove sheaths from canes etc.

Although ------- if growing orchids in the home --- it can be down to own observation and choice. For example, if the sheath looks like it is trapping moisture and possibly allowing mold/fungus etc to grow that could possibly end up being detrimental to the health of the orchid, then the grower can choose to remove portions of the sheath.

Some people also remove sheaths for creating 'tidy' look ...... it's a choice thing. It's all ok, as long as the grower knows what to do ------ then that's ok.

[Roberta]

In nature, birds help to remove dry sheaths when they gather nesting materials. Still, they are neither complete nor tidy. I haven't had the issue with Dendrobiums particularly, but Cattleyas and some others tend to get scale hiding under those old sheaths. So those do benefit from a cleanup. A note, a completely different group would be the Maxillarias that tend to climb... for those, the sheaths between the pseudobulbs protect the root system and should absolutely NOT be removed. But for cane-type Dendrobiums, it's mostly a matter of aesthetics.

[rbarata]

You can take it out as it can hide some pests...in my case, I don't remove it. I like my plants to look as natural as possible. That's a matter of taste.

[Iklaikk]

Thanks all. I appreciate the replies.

[Orchidtinkerer]

I mentioned that recently. It's something I do and have seen plenty of benefit. The most important reason is to not trap too much humidity around the stem - a little can be beneficial - ie one layer of dried leaf left on the stem usually encourages root nubs to grow underneath.

If too many dried sheaths are left it can happen that new roots fail to push through them and stop growing.

Sheaths prevent photosysnthesis. Remove the sheaths and the plant will receive more light and photosynthesise more

A little bit of humidity around the stem in beneficial, too much with too little ventilation will cause problems. Old sheaths are ideal breeding grounds for pests and fungus.

Oh and yeah they look less tidy but that is the least important reason for removing sheaths.

One can also damage roots in the process so only do it with tweezers, nailscissors and a steady hand,

[Roberta]

OT, what types of orchids are you referring to? Removing sheaths from a Maxillaria is likely to kill it. Removing sheaths from a Cattleya won't be anywhere near the roots, can be a good idea because scale hides under them - but be certain that they're really dry, one can damage the top layers of a pseudobulb by being too hasty. I have never seen new roots have any problem getting out where there are old sheaths. What types of orchid have you seen that behavior on? The OP was talking about a cane-type Dendrobium. I haven't seen much of an issue with sheaths on those, but if the OP finds them unattractive, would not hurt to clean things up gently.

[Iklaikk]

Originally Posted by Roberta

The OP was talking about a cane-type Dendrobium.

I was really talking about anything that may develop a sheath. The only orchids I have with sheaths right now are Dendrobiums, I would like to get a Cattleya, and I am happy for any information that may affect any future orchids I may get.

Thanks OrchidTinkerer for the clear description of when, how, and why you remove sheaths, it really helps.

[Orchidtinkerer]

yw iklaik,
Cattleya are great fun and far more variety than you realize, once you know how to care for them you will want them all

Roberta, you pretty much already answered your question, sheaths on Cattleya and dendrobiums mainly prevent photosynthesis and are hiding places for mealy bugs, I have had root problems with hard leaved orchids like vandas and angraecums - sheaths on vanda's can turn rock solid when dry. If they get rained on this would not be an issue at all but it is an issue as I keep my orchids very dry so leaves can become rock hard when they dry at mine.

I am tempted to try to remove the sheaths on my maxillarias but you are right it probably would kill them. One day I will try but you are right that they would probably dry too much and need the sheaths as they grow out of the substrate so not to be advised with maxillarias. Good to point that out.

[Roberta]

Actually it's not all Maxillarias that have that issue, it's the ones that grow with pseudobulbs growing on top of each other, either climbing or making pendant growths. Most familiar example is Max. tenuifolia, but there are a bunch of others in that section that behave the same way. It can root out from the higher psudobulbs to grab a surface (in nature that would probably be growing up a tree) but the main roots are still in the usual place at the bottom of the plant. Those higher p-bulbs have roots that go all the way down to the base. They get ugly-looking sheaths along the way, but under the sheaths between the growths are those very long roots, that need to stay covered.