Stimulating leaves & roots from dendrobium stems

[tim abbott]

This question pertains to the same plant I recently inquired about. I read on another site that the stems that don't have leaves can eventually start growing leaves & roots and can then be seperated from the mother plant. I have enclosed a close up(this time in the right direction) of the stems in question. Is there a method to stimulate or encourage new growth? Thanks.

Tim Abbott

[Ray]

Tim, I think you may be confusing new growths and keikies.

Dendrobiums are sympodial plants, meaning that the "colony" grows by extending a rhizome from the base of an existing growth and then shooting up a new growth from it. You can see that in your plant, with the three really old growths, and the last one, still with leaves, remaining. If that was a really mature plant, with lots of green canes, it is possible to separate them into clumps of at least two old, green canes and a new growth. Your plant is nowhere near ready for that.

A keiki ("KAY-Kee" - Hawaiian for "baby") is an adventitious growth up on the cane itself. When they have leaves and about 3" or 4" of total root length, they may be separated from the "mother" plant and potted up individually. Plants with some species in their background do so more than others, but in truth, they primarily grow on plants that are not getting the proper culture, and it is a survival reaction for the plant, not something one should try to do.

Judging by the relative size and appearance of that most recent growth, I'd say you're treating it well.

[tim abbott]

Ray,

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate your advice.

Tim Abbott

[quiltergal]

Tim, when it gets big enough you can also try stem propagation. Cut off an older cane that's not too shriveled. Cut it into pieces that include at least 2 leaf nodes. Lay the pieces horizontally in a tray or dish with moist sphag or peat moss. Cover the tray with plastic and wait. Within a few weeks you should begin to see vegetative growth from the leaf nodes. Then roots. I'd wait until the plant is a little larger before removing a cane though.

[tim abbott]

Hi Quiltergal,

Thanks for the idea. I think I'll leave the den. be & see if I can get it to bloom. I am trying a few phal. stems using methods similar to what you descibe, they bloomed & lost their flowers so I thought it was worth a try. One of my phals. that has bloomed has a new stem forming know from the base, it is about 3 inches long. Another phal. has an enlarged node developing from a stem so I am anxious to see what comes of it.

Tim Abbott