den help, please

[VickiC]

Hi,
I've had this den several months....almost a yr. (pics) It seemed healthy for quite some time, but then it seemed as if it was going downhill. A couple or so weeks ago, the leaves slowly started to yellow and develop dark splotches. I unpotted it and found that apparently somewhere along the line, I had been overwatering it because all the roots were rotten....all of them. I then trimmed them totally off and repotted it in sphag, in the basket you see, in hopes that it would re-root. I was taking inventory today and decided to ask for your thoughts and advice. Do you think I can save it, and if so, how would you suggest I try?

I would very much appreciate your help,
Vicki

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The only way I can think of is the way that many orchid books suggest and is quite similar to the sphag and bag methods described here.

Take the canes and put it in a tray full of wet sphagnum moss and cover them up with a clear top. There should be some activity within a few days. I'm trying this method out with Den. hancockii. Seems to be working so far...

[VickiC]

King, what do you think is wrong with it.....the reason the leaves are yellowing and splotchy? Just simply that it is rootless.....or something else going on.....such as fungus? Do you think I should treat it before doing as you suggested?
Vicki

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

The only way I can think of is the way that many orchid books suggest and is quite similar to the sphag and bag methods described here.

Take the canes and put it in a tray full of wet sphagnum moss and cover them up with a clear top. There should be some activity within a few days. I'm trying this method out with Den. hancockii. Seems to be working so far...

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

It doesn't hurt to treat the canes in an anti-bacterial or anti-fungal solution before trying save it using the humidity tray method.

As far as what went wrong to begin with, I can't say. I don't know enough. Details are very important in recognizing a mistake.

The leaves are dropping most likely because of the root loss.

[VickiC]

Thank you very much, King.....
Vicki