Now I am confused

[punkrockmom]

I posted this originally in a different section b/c I thought I was sure of the species I was asking about but someone siad it looked like a dendrobium? I posted it under phalaenopsis... But no one actually ansered my questin so maybe this is a better place to post it?

Here is the original post:

Bit of back ground: I bought this orchid at work a couple years back and kept it indoors till it pretty much looked like it was a goner.. Dont know what I did wrong back then but it was several years ago and the pot stayed outside for a long while and then my parents grabbed the pot for some of their plants and before they potted anything noticed growth and left it to emerge(see Photo) now I would love to know what to do with it to keep it healthy this time, do I pull those husk like things back? Can I repot the small green growth towards the bottom, should I trim that stalk at the top? (see photos) I recieved anouther for mothers day which is healthy right now and hopefully I can keep it that way ANY suggestions would be awesome!!

[jkofferdahl]

I think you've posted two different things. The flowers you show are Phalaenopsis, yes, but the plant is a Dendrobium. I can't speak for your particular Dendro (I only have one, so am not very knowledgable about them), but many plants in the genus are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves at the end of the growth cycle. That could explain why the plant looked so bad at one time, then seemed to make a comeback.

I can tell you, though, that now would be a good time to repot it. With the new growth coming you'll soon also see new roots, and they'll settle nicely into a new pot, allowing for optimum growth and development.

Good luck!

[punkrockmom]

Thanks, I am hesitant to repot in case I damage it but will read up on the how to's for it and decide then.

[learning2letgo]

Dendros are pretty resilient plants... I currently have about three in my collection... You don't have to worry about "hurting" them because as I said they're pretty tough... The shorter stubs with no leaves serve as a reservoir for holding nutrients and water for the continuous new growth (kind of like a camel's humps ).... So, don't remove those... They're supposed to be there...

You can pretty much repot this plant when you get ready... I repotted one of mine while in bloom (which a lot of folks will say is a big no-no) and it did NOT hurt the plant at all... In fact, it spurred a new growth on the plant... I'll have to take a picture and post in my album for you to see sometime later...

As for your second, plant it is indeed a phalaenopsis... And I actually have one just like it... Coloration and size of blooms is identical! You don't perhaps happen to have the name of this one do you? Mine is just a NOID (no identification) and I would really love to have her name to go in my private catalogue of my orchids...

[punkrockmom]

Thanks for the advice, I guess I'll go check out Lowes and grab some repotting supplies. Should I trim the very top stem that is poking out you think? It seems very brittle at the top but an inch down it is healthy(that is the third photo). My phal is more then likely a noid as well, my fiance picked it up at Walmart lol.

[Lorraine]

Originally Posted by punkrockmom

Thanks for the advice, I guess I'll go check out Lowes and grab some repotting supplies. Should I trim the very top stem that is poking out you think? It seems very brittle at the top but an inch down it is healthy(that is the third photo). My phal is more then likely a noid as well, my fiance picked it up at Walmart lol.

The top stem I think you are talking about is where the old flower spike was. You can trim it just to the bottom of where it is the tan/brown color. If you happen to trim it and the green healthy part is exposed just put a pinch of cinnamon on the cut. Cinnamon keeps damaged cuts from picking up diseases, etc. The one thing about all my dens also here in Florida is that they like to be dry before watering well. Be careful not to keep this guy too wet. I keep these guys in wood baskets or mounted so they can air dry. But mine are all outside. So far looks like you are doing the right things.

[learning2letgo]

Great suggestions Lorraine...

Punk, if you're interested in placing your dendro in a hanging basket... Check out this thread I posted last month about the hanging basket project I created

Hanging Basket Dendrobium

[punkrockmom]

Cool, thanks I will check the link right now my only hanging plants are Philodendron's. They are easy ha ha.