saving a dendrobium with really less number of roots

[razzer13]

so recently i seperated an overgrown keiki along with two stalks from a single dendrobium plant. while seperation, really less number of roots came along with it and all the roots are short. i planted it in its own pot and it has been two weeks now. and the plant had lost most of its leaves and are almost bare, no signs of new root growth can be seen and the last couple leaves left have also started yellowing. can someone help me? how can i save it?

[Roberta]

Many Dendrobiums lose leaves routinely, to grow new ones in the spring. With inadequate roots, even a non-deciduous one may shed leaves to reduce water loss. then, in spring the new growth will produce new roots. Do you know which Dendrobium this is? For now, just patience. Two weeks is nothing in the life cycle of an orchid. If it does grow, it will likely be several months before you see progress.

[razzer13]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Many Dendrobiums lose leaves routinely, to grow new ones in the spring. With inadequate roots, even a non-deciduous one may shed leaves to reduce water loss. then, in spring the new growth will produce new roots. Do you know which Dendrobium this is? For now, just patience. Two weeks is nothing in the life cycle of an orchid. If it does grow, it will likely be several months before you see progress.

this orchid was sold with no ID. i have a picture of the blooms which was cut off when i repotted the whole lot which had 5 plants all together tied in coconut husk. They were grown without pots on coconut husks.

i had to cut the flower spray off because it snapped when the plant fell off the ledge in where it was kept. after that, i repotted it in its individial pots

the picture of the blooms are attached. can you identify it?

[Roberta]

It appears to be a hybrid in the Den-phal group. So a warm grower. I think just be patient with it. It is really important that it be held firmly in place in the pot, so that it doesn't wobble, permitting new roots to develop without damage. So if it has few roots, you will need to stake it well.

[razzer13]

Originally Posted by Roberta

It appears to be a hybrid in the Den-phal group. So a warm grower. I think just be patient with it. It is really important that it be held firmly in place in the pot, so that it doesn't wobble, permitting new roots to develop without damage. So if it has few roots, you will need to stake it well.

Thanks a lot! its potted in a medium of part cork and part coconut husk along with the old medium which it was originally planted in. is it good enough for the orchid to be comfortable in it? also, im considering using a stick and tie the plant on it for stability.

[Roberta]

What was the condition of the old medium? If good, the medium should be OK. (You are much more familiar with it than I am). The stick is important - new roots tips (the growing part) are very fragile. If the plant moves, those growing root tips can be damaged and then they stop growing. It is extremely important that the plant be held in place firmly until it can grow a good root system.

[razzer13]

Originally Posted by Roberta

What was the condition of the old medium? If good, the medium should be OK. (You are much more familiar with it than I am). The stick is important - new roots tips (the growing part) are very fragile. If the plant moves, those growing root tips can be damaged and then they stop growing. It is extremely important that the plant be held in place firmly until it can grow a good root system.

the old medium was firm and felt quite good enough to still keep it and also had a mushroom-like smell with moss growing in it. also i read somewhere that old mediums develop a fungi which helps the orchids so i mixed it along with new medium.

the orchids were kept in the old medium for 2 years, according to the nursery from where i bought it.

[Roberta]

I think that the old medium should be replaced - the "mushroom smell" is an indication that it is breaking down. That is a perfect environment for rotting roots.