Propagating Dendrobium cane?

[JamesEG]

This could be a waste of time as I'm not even sure if it's possible, but if I don't ask I won't find out, I acquired a small cane from a Dendrobium NoID from work and I wondered if it was possible to get it to root? I've wanted a Dendrobium for a long time and unfortunately haven't yet got any orchids of my own (although a keiki on one of my Mum's Phals will soon be under my care when it decides to grow some roots! )

Anyway, the cane was cut off a plant that was going to be thrown out because it was badly damaged, it's only about 2.5-3 inches tall and with three leaves about 4 inches long. It was cut off of the main plant right at the base just under the soil by my Mum who asked me if it would be possible to grow as a new plant.

I can post a picture or two if it would help. Also, when I was inspecting the cane at the base I noticed what looks like a tiny white node, which almost looks like a root beginning to grow, is this a possibility? I can get some macro images of that too if you want.

Thanks! Any help is much appreciated

[WhiteRabbit]

Do you know what type of Den it is?

I have heard of nobile types being propagated from cut canes ...

[JamesEG]

It's not a nobile type, just a normal NoID Dendrobium that garden centres tend to sell...

In fact, very similar to the third picture down on this thread on another forum -- Dendrobium White Grace 'Sato' and White Dendrobium noid

[NYCorchidman]

pictures will help.

I guess you refer to the den phal type.

You have a good chance that it might sprout a keiki, but you never know. doesn't hurt to try and see what you get.

[JamesEG]

Okay, yes I think it is the Den Phal type.

Here are the pictures, the second and third show the "white node", and the last photo shows the bottom of the cane, does that brown patch look like it could produce a root?









Thanks again for your help!

[quiltergal]

It's not a Phal type. The cane would be long and straight. This reminds me of Den. aggregatum. Do you know if it had yellow flowers?

I'm not sure if these can be vegetatively propagated or not. I would get a small shallow dish and fill it with some damp sphagnum moss. Lay the cane on the damp sphag, and slide the whole thing into a plastic bag leaving the end open. If it can be propagated this way you should start seeing small plantlets growing out of the old cane.

[JamesEG]

Sorry I should have said before, it's only a very young cane, the plant had another that was the same size, and one that was over a foot tall. The flowers were white and almost exactly the same shape as the ones in the link that I posted, the garden centre has never stocked any species orchids, just hybrid noIDs, but would that method work for this type of dendrobium too?

[JamesEG]

I read somewhere that dendrobiums can be propagated by cutting the rhizome, is this more or less what has happened to the cutting that I have? If so, what do I need to do to root it?

Thanks again!

[ultimatesr]

Quiltergal can you tell an approx time taken for the cane to produce new growth.

[quiltergal]

Sorry I missed your question. It can take a very long time. It may not start to do anything until spring when it warms up & the days are longer.