Removing Dendrobium speciosum from a tree

[Davesp310]

I would like to remove a plant (or at least a piece that I could then grow) from the trunk of a tree. Any thoughts on how to do so with the best chance of success ? The roots are pretty well attached. Would I be best to try removing just one or two of the newer shoots that don't seem to be attached to the tree as tightly (eg the shoot on the left in the pic below) ?

Another piece / plant on the same tree is currently flowering, would this be a better one to try tremoving ?

The house is sold, I would like to take at least something from this plant that I could grow.

Cutting the tree down isn't feasible - the new owners may notice it missing

[TOMMYMIAMI]

No clue how to do it, but must say gorgeous orchid!

[Davesp310]

Thanks, they grow well here because they are a native of the area I live.

I have one that I was given ages ago, it's just stuck on a rocky ledge in my yard, never been watered or fertilised in 10+ years, and it flowers like the one in the pic every year about this time.

[kindrag23]

are there any shoots on there that could be lightly pulled away that are not attached to the actual mother plant? It looks like there was one or two possibly

[AnonYMouse]

You can cut some away from the rhizome. I'm no expert but others here have divided many an orchid.

I think the rule of thumb is at least 3 pbulbs. Lay the rhizome on top of seedling media or sphag moss (use rhizome clips/U-shaped prongs to stabilize). Plump pbulbs will support new growth.

[Island Girl]

^+1 yes, worst case scenario, if you damage the roots on the two older p'bulbs, they will still provide support to the newest growth, which is the most important growth.. Do NOT damage the roots on the newest lead, which should be easy enough if it hasn't started attaching to the tree. You can wet roots (soak real good), and use your thumb to kinda roll the root gently away from the tree (I think I remember seeing a couple ppl explain this a lot better than I have in another one of your threads... Can't find it at the moment tho, sorry)

Absolutely beautiful specimen plant tho!! Wow!

[AnonYMouse]

My only experience is "division by accident".

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Possible solutions:

1. Cut the branch.

2. Cut a division off.

3. Find a keiki if possible.

[Bloomin_Aussie]

Use a saw and cut through the roots. Don't worry about being tidy... it is spring and it will send out new roots anyway. Den. speciosum is very resilient that way. Just keep it well watered afterward. My friend Alan recently removed and divided a ~350kg specimen from a fig tree at Wollongong Hospital. Tools of choice were a pruning saw and hatchet. Nothing really went to waste. The left over bits and pieces including single pseudobulbs were potted up in sphag and had rooted within 2 months. Ended up with about 70 something potted divisions of varying sizes. These were then sold with the proceeds going to the hospital.

So anyway, you don't need to baby it too much.

[Bloomin_Aussie]

Pictures courtesy Alan Stephenson...

Front of tree (lower section already removed)


Rear of tree


After removal


Left over odd bits


Leftovers potted in sphag


Roots after a couple of months.


I should add that the divided bits were dried out a bit by hanging out unpotted for a couple of weeks. I think this helps shock the plant into recovery mode.

The results... (or part thereof)