ID's needed!

[mmursuli]

My neighbor gave me two orchids with no id's--she does that from time-to-time. She buys them in bloom, doesn't know how to take care of them and when they don't look "pretty," gives them to me. One of them looks like a dendrobium, but its cane is a lot thinner than the Dens. I already have...The other one I'm absolutely clueless about.
She also gave me a Phal. keiki...I told her not to touch it until it had at least 3 strong roots, but of course she didn't listen to me. It has two leaves and 2 strong, 2-inch roots. What are its chances of survival?
Below are the pics of the two orchids I need help IDing.

[BikerDoc5968]

The 1st is some type of Dendrobium. Without a flower might be tough to place it into the several divisions of Dendrobium. The last 2, not a clue, but could be in the Cattleya Alliance. . . just a guess?

[mmursuli]

@BikerDoc: Thanks for your input =) What's your take on the Phal. Keiki with two roots (sorry, no pics)?

[BikerDoc5968]

Originally Posted by mmursuli

@BikerDoc: Thanks for your input =) What's your take on the Phal. Keiki with two roots (sorry, no pics)?

General rule is 3 roots 3" long. But I guess if you have 2 roots of substantial size, go for it! the other thing you could do is wrap the roots in sphag with a twist-tie, leaving it attached to the mother plant and wait until the roots are more developed. You might have greater success when you do remove it. You are at an advantage living where it is warm and humid.

[mmursuli]

Unfortunately, she removed the keiki from the mother =/ I potted the keiki in bark with sphag on top, around the roots. I haven't had much luck with sphag as the main medium, so I use it sparingly.

[BikerDoc5968]

Originally Posted by mmursuli

Unfortunately, she removed the keiki from the mother =/ I potted the keiki in bark with sphag on top, around the roots. I haven't had much luck with sphag as the main medium, so I use it sparingly.

I would not use sphag and bark in the same pot, because the bark will dry out faster than the moss. And, moss in combination with bark may have wet moss and dry bark and then root rot because you want to water the dry bark. Also, I doubt that the moss on top will do much except give you a false sense of dampness of the bark under the moss.

[mmursuli]

even if it's just a small amount of shag on top, around the roots? or should i just get rid of the sphag? sorry, for all the questions!

[BikerDoc5968]

Originally Posted by mmursuli

even if it's just a small amount of shag on top, around the roots? or should i just get rid of the sphag? sorry, for all the questions!

No problem with the questions. I am not firm believer in sphag because most things rot with my care. There are many on this board who swear by moss. I do not like sphag mixed in with bark because it stays wet much longer than the bark and can be a nidus for root rot. Many people top-dress their orchid pots with moss for the "look". I like to see the bark and how wet it is so I know when to water. Moss on top just doesn't do anything for me. If you like it then by all means use it. Just be aware of how wet the bark is and don't rely on the moss as an indicator. The other thing you might try to get the roots to develop better is something like KLN or SuperThrive or Essential Plus or Hormex (the last 2 I use and have very good success and have several available for sale) The Hormex is the same as KLN.

[RobS]

Confirming Dendrobium and Cattleya alliance.

[mmursuli]

cool. thanks for all the advice! I'm so happy to have stumbled upon this site =)