Dendrobium Orchid

[Melonballs76]

I received this plant today. Am not very happy with it. Am unable to check roots as it’s not in a clear pot and I have none so won’t be able to check until the weekend. The air roots do not look healthy and there seem to be a lot of canes that have been cut back. I read that these are easy to care for that’s why I got one. There were also a few soggy yellow leaves on it which I have removed. Also looks like one of the canes is going a bit brown? Am I over reacting? I’ve never had one before so really am unsure if it’s healthy or not? I’ve tried to read on Google but I really don’t understand. Thank you in advance.

[Ray]

While it's hard to be certain from the photos, it looks pretty healthy to me, especially with all those blossoms.

If the plant was grown in a humid greenhouse, removing it for transport and relocating it to a drier environment could be the cause of the aerial roots - they're not nearly as durable as those in a phalaenopsis.

The cut canes are also not particularly worrisome, and was probably just a bit of "cleaning up" done a while ago. The "browning" on that one cane looks to be a bruise from some mechanical contact, also not worth worying about.

[Melonballs76]

Firstly, thank you for your swift reply. Sorry my camera is not that good on my phone. I will attach some more. I have never had one of these orchids and to me the amount of cut canes in there just worried me. I paid £40 (UK) for it and didn’t expect it to have so many old cut canes on there that’s all. Can you see from the picture if that little shoot is a new cane? I’m not sure if it’s meant to have a leaf on it or not? Also I have read that I must not cut the canes unless there are 3? Is that correct? Google is so confusing. Again thank you for your advice.

[FranningtonBear]

From the pictures, I think she looks in pretty usual condition either online or in stores for the UK. I wouldn't be at all concerned.

The potting medium looks quite broken down or perhaps soil? I would be looking to repot sooner rather than later. In my (not very extensive) experience, these Den. Nobile types are quite tolerant of repotting.

[Melonballs76]

Thank you so much. Can you tell me what soil or bark I should buy for it?

[Roberta]

I'll leave to FranningtonBear to recommend medium, knowing what is available in the UK. If it were my plant, I would use medium-sized bark. During the growing season especially, these don't like to dry out. Then, in winter they benefit from a chill (even down to 10 deg C/50 deg F or so at night), bright light, and reduced water. (You will hear "dry rest" but to me, that's reduced frequency of watering - when cool things don't dry out as fast - NOT "No water")

That little leafless bulb is just the oldest "baby bulb" from when it was a seedling. They do tend to lose leaves,, but as long as the the canes are firm, they're still providing nutrition and energy to the plant.

[estación seca]

Read about growing these before going further. They have a strong seasonal growth pattern that must be respected for flowering. They are brought into flower commercially at any time of year by chilling them at night in the greenhouses for six weeks.

Yamamoto Dendrobiums: Caring

Yamamoto Dendrobiums: Hints

A plant in leaf and flower probably has a decent root system. I would not unpot it until after flowering is finished, or you are likely to lose the flowers. The time to repot Dendrobiums is when new roots are just beginning at the bottom of the plant. This is usually with or just after the new shoots begin. In flower, don't let the plant dry completely.

I'm guessing old, ugly stems were cut to make the plant prettier for sale. Most hobbyists don't cut off Dendrobium stems until completely dead and brown, because they might flower in future years.

[FranningtonBear]

I absolutely agree with both Roberta and E_S. I probably wouldn't wait to repot until after flowering but I know most people would. I tend to take the approach that I may lose this years blooms but I will be setting the plant up for more success in the long run.

This board has taught me such a lot (and enabled a lot more orchids to join my collection!). If you want any tips on which UK vendors I have had great experiences with, feel free to drop me a PM.

Personally I use a medium grade orchid bark - i often buy this one which is easily available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Orchid-Focu...ps%2C96&sr=8-9

[Melonballs76]

Thank you for all your advice. I took it out the pot today to have a look at the roots and the plant is absolutely soaked. I have not watered it and had it 4 days. It also has white roots and no green roots. Is it dead? What should I do?

[FranningtonBear]

Originally Posted by Melonballs76

Thank you for all your advice. I took it out the pot today to have a look at the roots and the plant is absolutely soaked. I have not watered it and had it 4 days. It also has white roots and no green roots. Is it dead? What should I do?

Those roots look fine to me!

Using a pot one size larger, I would repot using a medium grade orchid bark (my preference, you may prefer different growing media). Don't worry too much about removing the old degraded media, it is better to disturb the roots as little as possible. Definitely do not trim any roots that look dead, they may still be providing some nutrition to the plant.