NOID cym w/ no roots and 3 new little growths

[reanaosrhyt]

I got this at a big box store this past winter. All the leaves on a couple of pbulbs died back, and I had to remove those pbulbs because they started rotting (the roots were already completely shot when I brought it home anyway). Got three nice baby growths a couple months ago, but nothing has progressed to form roots, and the last two remaining pbulbs just lost/are losing their leaves (not rotting, just no leaves). The plant has, effectivley, no roots and really needs them! Should just chuck it or is there anything I can try? maybe sphag and bag?



Thanks

[WhiteRabbit]

Those new growths probably need to get bigger before roots will start. If it were mine I would use a small (just slightly wider than the plant) shallow pot. Use skewers or something to prop the plant in the pot since it has no roots to hold it there. Keep the plant shaded and the media lightly moist. Thats what I have done to propagate cym backbulbs, so I think it may work.

[reanaosrhyt]

ok, sounds like a great idea....it has been propped up the past few weeks, but not shaded in the least! I may have to put it somewhere else in the house to keep it moist though. I have fungus gnats right now in the main orchid room...and you know how they love moist media

Thanks so much! I'll try this and let you know!

[WhiteRabbit]

Is there a shady place outside you can put it? Not that inside doesn't work - idk - I just always think of cyms as outside plants lol - it will want some light tho, just not much direct light. A window sill that gets little direct light?

And yes! I understand about gnats! They make me crazy! grrrr!

[Tropicgirl]

I read in another thread to use mosquito dunks in your orchid water and it will kill the fungus gnats. Sounded like a good idea to me, haven't got gnats but I'd try it if I did.

[Cym Ladye]

If I were attempting to save this plant, I would remove ALL the leaves and carefully all the brown bracts on the remaining BBs and then soak for about an hour. Then I would place it in a 1 quart Zip Lok bag filled with the equivalent of a 3" pot of well soaked but drained orchid mix of preference. (I use small fir bark and perlite). Bury BBs, as a connected clump in this case, about 1/3 of their length in an upright position and seal the bag. Place in a warm place in the house with light but no direct sun on the bag.

In this way, a miniature greenhouse has been made. The new growths should start elongating and form roots with the increased humidity. When you pot out, use a finer bark than I suspect you have been using and again bury the BBs about 1/2 to 1/2 of their length.

Next time when removing rotten roots, and there are no viable roots on a piece, do not remove the entire root but only strip the mushy outer velumin from the root itself. That way, you will have "a string" to help anchor the plant but no rotten "stuff" to muck up the new mix.

I agree with White Rabbit in placing this plant outside for the summer when you have roots. Practicing on unk. hybrids and being successful, makes you more confident when you encounter a really nice plant that gets into trouble!

Good Luck,

CL