Dendrobium with six keikeis

[jowben1]

Den Niraporn Tomoflake X Den. Sammy Red Snow.I acquired this plant in June.2009.It has since lost all it's leaves. I checked the roots, and repotted (in bark), when I got it. I was hoping the loss of greenery was seasonal, and was delighted to see green growth a few weeks ago. Now when I look closely, what I thought was new leaves, is actually six keikeis. Five are on the upper parts of the stems, one is at bark level. Does this mean my plant, "is on the way out" ??? And, do I need to do any thing special, as far as care, for both the parent plant, and the babies ? I haven't figured out how to post my pictures right side up yet, sorry.

[RosieC]

I would say that parent looks in a bad way and is probably on it's way out.

I'm afraid I'm not sure about how you would care for the keikis. It looks like one or two of them have some good roots already. I think I would be inclined to leave them on a bit longer, but keep a close eye on them and seperate them and pot them up before the dying cane on the parent dies completely.

Hopefully someone else will know a bit more than me on that though.

[Donald]

Miost those keikis.

[stefpix]

what about potting the cane horizontally on sphagnum or some otehr moist medium so the keikis can grow upright and their roots can root and draw moisture?

similar case as my D. kingianum

[Beverly]

I have a few Dens that I pretty much killed last spring. I was going to try sphag & bag on one, but I noticed a keiki starting to grow on it. I waited a few months for it to get bigger, then potted it in seedling grade bark mix.
I have a few more dying Dens with keikis that I'm going to do the same with.

[Suresh Kalyanpur]

Originally Posted by jowben1

Den Niraporn Tomoflake X Den. Sammy Red Snow.I acquired this plant in June.2009.It has since lost all it's leaves. I checked the roots, and repotted (in bark), when I got it. I was hoping the loss of greenery was seasonal, and was delighted to see green growth a few weeks ago. Now when I look closely, what I thought was new leaves, is actually six keikeis. Five are on the upper parts of the stems, one is at bark level. Does this mean my plant, "is on the way out" ??? And, do I need to do any thing special, as far as care, for both the parent plant, and the babies ? I haven't figured out how to post my pictures right side up yet, sorry.

The mother plant doesn't look in great shape but I don't think it will give way so soon. It has produced keikis and will survive till they are big enough.
From my limited experience I'd think you have two options (1) Spray the little ones and their roots once a day or once every two days, let them grow and when the roots are older, more mature and a little longer - say about 1 1/2 to 2 inches seperate the keiki from the mother plant and pot them in light mixture; I recently did this with two of my chids which threw up keikis; and i repotted the parent plants which i am hoping will make it. (2) Follow the suggestion made by Stepfix of potting the cane horizontally in spagnum. The choice us yours.

[stefpix]

It can be easy to forget to mist every day too many plants...
am good - but sometimes i forget some seedlings - and I forgot the kingianum.
I will follow my own advice and put the kingianum on sphagnum horizontally.

I have 2 Arundina bulbs that never sprouted for monts until i have put them in a bag with sphagnum on top of a CFL fixture [for warmth].

Anyway those keikis on that Dendrobium look good... you bought one plant and you ended up with 6. you can sell 3 on ebay next year and pay off what you spent!
just pay the price with extra patience.

stefano
"i hate smileys"

[jowben1]

Thanks for all uour advice, As most of the stems are quite green, I am opting to leave the keikeis until they are large enough to plant. Then I will see if I can revive Mom. Thanks, again.

[pedidiva]

How do you know if the plant has a genetic tendency to produce keikis? If the canes are green, could this be a healthy plant with the genetics to produce keikis?

[pedidiva]

If the canes are firm, aren't they the healthy ones?