What is this new growth on my Den Spectabile? - Orchid Board

mmorehead · #1 08-31-2009, 01:55 PM

I think I may know what it is from my research, but I'm still indecisive and wanted to get your thoughts just to make sure. I first noticed it last night (it's growing from the back of the pot), and the further I investigated, I noticed it doesn't appear to be a normal cane coming up, and sap was seeping heavily from it.

Could this be a scape, or is it just a new cane loaded with happy sap? Your input is greatly appreciated! Here are some pictures:

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 08-31-2009, 02:05 PM

Sap is not the greatest indicator of bad health. In fact, I don't even think it's an indicator of bad health at all.

It is a new shoot. And as far as I know, there's nothing wrong with it. The sap might attract some insects though.

There's nothing to do, just sit back and enjoy. If it does end up attracting insects, it shouldn't be a big deal. They'll most likely be ants, and not an army of them, just a few individuals maybe.

mmorehead · #3 08-31-2009, 02:11 PM

Thank you for the help, King! One more quick question... Would you recommend a repot for this Den? As you can see in the pics, the roots are growing out everywhere from the back.

Thanks again!

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #4 08-31-2009, 03:19 PM

I'd wet the media down real good. Squeeze all four corners of the pot to loosen up any roots that have attached to the sides of the pot. Wet it down more. And continue loosening up the roots and media by squeezing all four corners of the pot.

Repeat the above a few times.

Then when you feel that it's okay to dump the media out, go ahead and do so slowly and carefully.

If the media is old, I'd replace it. If not, then you might want to dump the media into a container to save the material.

Be careful and hold onto the plant and the pot while dumping the media out. Some roots may still be attached to something.

If there are any roots firmly attached to the old media, I'd leave it alone.

Have a spray bottle handy as you may find yourself having to wet the roots down continuously until the entire process is done. Doing it over an old newspaper helps make clean up fast and easy.

Then I'd re-work the roots into the same size pots so that they're all in there. Finally, insert potting media into pot and wet down completely.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #5 08-31-2009, 03:22 PM

BTW, have a wooden chopstick, popsicle stick, unsharpened pencil, whatever, handy as well. You never know when you need to work the media in tight spaces.

It helps minimize breaking young shoots.

mmorehead · #6 08-31-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

I'd wet the media down real good. Squeeze all four corners of the pot to loosen up any roots that have attached to the sides of the pot. Wet it down more. And continue loosening up the roots and media by squeezing all four corners of the pot.

Repeat the above a few times.

Then when you feel that it's okay to dump the media out, go ahead and do so slowly and carefully.

If the media is old, I'd replace it. If not, then you might want to dump the media into a container to save the material.

Be careful and hold onto the plant and the pot while dumping the media out. Some roots may still be attached to something.

If there are any roots firmly attached to the old media, I'd leave it alone.

Have a spray bottle handy as you may find yourself having to we the roots down continuously until the entire process is done.

Then I'd re-work the roots into the same size pots so that they're all in there. Finally, insert potting media into pot and wet down completely.

Thank you for the detailed steps to complete this process, King!

I am truly grateful for your help!

I'll be repotting it later today. Should I just go up one pot size?

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #7 08-31-2009, 03:45 PM

I wouldn't. Doesn't look necessary to do that yet. Maybe in a few months go 1/2" bigger.

mmorehead · #8 08-31-2009, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

I wouldn't. Doesn't look necessary to do that yet. Maybe in a few months go 1/2" bigger.

Sounds great! Thanks again, King!

Orchid126 · #9 08-31-2009, 05:26 PM

Your new shoot, and the rest of the plant, looks like it may be infected with scale. That may account for the sap. It may be just me, but in the second picture I see tiny white critters on the new shoot and the older cane behind it to the left.

mmorehead · #10 08-31-2009, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orchid126

Your new shoot, and the rest of the plant, looks like it may be infected with scale. That may account for the sap. It may be just me, but in the second picture I see tiny white critters on the new shoot and the older cane behind it to the left.

I inspected it closely after receiving your post and I'm pleased to report no sign of scale. I've never encountered them personally, but from looking at a plethora of pictures and what it looks like, no scale, none that I can see anyway. There was a little bit of residue on the new growth where the sap was coming out of it (it has since stopped producing the happy sap.) It came off effortlessly with a quick rub of the finger. I see what you mean with the cane behind it. Those spots have been there since I got it. Nothing has changed, moved or spread since then. I'll most definitely continue to monitor it nonetheless. Thanks for bringing that possibility to my attention orchid126. It is greatly appreciated!