Cutting a Dendrobium after flowering

[GNV1080]

Hi everyone,
I've just started trying to grow some orchids and have had some limited success (killed two so far; the other three are hanging in there).

My question relates to a Dendrobium I got from a local grower here in Florida. It stopped flowering about two months ago, and I've just let it do it's thing (after cutting the main stalk where the flowers were).

Can I go ahead and cut the rest of the vegetative material where the stalk originally came from? As you can see in the picture this is the only part of the plant that does not have leaves. Or should I leave it alone?

Regards,
GNV1080

[RosieC]

I would leave it. It looks like a leafless cane to me and the plant will use it for water storage.

Some types of Dendrobium loose their leaves over the winter and then flower from the leafless canes.

The plant will be healthier if it has pleanty of canes to store it's water in.

Oh, and what have you got in the water? It looks very blue.

[RosieC]

On second thoughts, is that cane firm or mushy?

It looks a little dark in colour is why I ask, but if it is firm then go with my first answer.

[GNV1080]

Hey Rosie,
Thanks for your answers.

A couple of things; the blue stuff in the water is orchid fertilizer that I got from Lowe's. I try to fertilizer my orchids about once every month and a half or so. I think this is the right frequency.

The leafless cane is actually pretty mushy; but that may be due to the fact that I had it soaking in water for a while. What are your thoughts? If I give it a day and it doesn't firm up should I trim it?

[RosieC]

I don't think it should be mushy even if it's been soaking. I would be worried that it is rotting and I would advice removing it if it is mushy.

I've not seen blue fertiliser that's what confused me on the water. Many people now advise using quarter strength fertiliser once a week instead of the full strength once a month as the older advise used to say. You should flush it with pure water once a month if you do that though.

[Ray]

A few things about fertilization:

• Divide 10 by the %N on the fertilizer label. The result is the teaspoons to use per gallon of water.
• Water with that solution 3 out of 4 times, with the 4th being plain water to flush the medium.
• Soaking like you're doing is great, but I suggest avoiding putting multiple plants in the same bath - it's a great way to share plant pathogens.