new growths on brassia and encyclia

[judith_arquette]

I got these at the local grocery, the brassia, back in February and the encyclias in april. They were both packed tightly in moss in containers with no drainage so I felt repotting them when I brought them home was the way to go. They both (the encyclia was in a single pot but when I unpotted it I discovered that it was two separate plants, so technically all 3) had significant root rot as I suspected. All 3 plants now have some type of new growth, I'm guessing new pbulbs but honestly wouldn't know one if it poked me in my eye... My question is: Are they putting out new growth because the root system is recovering and they are on their way to good health or are they putting out new growth to try to save themselves? They're in clear plastic pots with lots of holes and I use the big chunks of bark as medium (It's what I had on hand for my Phals). Any input/advice/questions welcomed. I've finally gotten the hang of my phals, thanks completely to this forum, and have quit the constant worrying over them but I'm still so unsure of myself with these two new types. Thanks all for reading my ramblings

[Bulbofett]

Originally Posted by judith_arquette

My question is: Are they putting out new growth because the root system is recovering and they are on their way to good health or are they putting out new growth to try to save themselves?

I think you asked the same question twice with different wording New growths mean new roots, which means it is on the road to recovery. They look great from the pictures. Those growths are definitely the start of new pbulbs, so your eye can remain un-poked Keep doing what you're doing!

[judith_arquette]

Originally Posted by Bulbofett

I think you asked the same question twice with different wording New growths mean new roots, which means it is on the road to recovery. They look great from the pictures. Those growths are definitely the start of new pbulbs, so your eye can remain un-poked Keep doing what you're doing!

Yes, I tend to confuse even myself when I try to explain anything

LOL!!! Thanks!

They would all have been dead LONG ago if it weren't for this forum <3

[james mickelso]

Both plants older pbulbs have all the necessary energy stored in their pbulbs to grow the new plants even without roots. Those new growths will flower around this time next year. Yeehawwww!!!!

[judith_arquette]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

Both plants older pbulbs have all the necessary energy stored in their pbulbs to grow the new plants even without roots. Those new growths will flower around this time next year. Yeehawwww!!!!

That would be AMAZING! Until I feel more confident in caring for them tho, I'll be happy to just keep them alive

[james mickelso]

The brassia will get roots on the new growth when the new pbulbs are about two inches high. The epi will get roots when it is about the same or maybe a little higher. When the roots appear I would lay some sphagnum moss or a thin layer of small 1/4 inch bark over the top of the pot to help keep the roots a little damp for a longer period of time. Neither of these plants like to stay wet but they do like it damp with air flow across the roots.

[judith_arquette]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

The brassia will get roots on the new growth when the new pbulbs are about two inches high. The epi will get roots when it is about the same or maybe a little higher. When the roots appear I would lay some sphagnum moss or a thin layer of small 1/4 inch bark over the top of the pot to help keep the roots a little damp for a longer period of time. Neither of these plants like to stay wet but they do like it damp with air flow across the roots.

Thank you! Will do!

[Optimist]

Constantly trying to save itself means it's alive, right? Many of these orchids have a root life cycle, where only new growth has roots and the older roots cling to the plant and help make a kind of nest for baby plants, catching nutrients, and other jobs.

[james mickelso]

In good conditions the older roots are still functioning. In their natural setting these older roots help the plant cling to it's position in the tree or limb/rock, and provide a catchment for debris. These plants genetics have evolved over millions of years and they are superbly adapted to their environment. They survive droughts and floods. they can not however survive man's indiscriminant destruction of their habitat or the world's climate change brought about by this habitat destruction. Take for example the rain systems over the Amazon Basin in Brazil. The first satellite images from the 70's of the daily development of rain clouds over the entire central and northern portions of the South American continent is now less than half what it was then. Mostly due to the destruction of the rain forest. Vast tracks of land have been de-forested for the cultivation of sugar cane and oil palm. Cattle grazing has permanently destroyed much more. And further contributed to global warming from the millions of tons of methane produced by these cattle. Ok... I'll get off my soap box. Keep your plants damp but don't drown them.

[judith_arquette]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

In good conditions the older roots are still functioning. In their natural setting these older roots help the plant cling to it's position in the tree or limb/rock, and provide a catchment for debris.

Thanks for the info!

Originally Posted by james mickelso

These plants genetics have evolved over millions of years and they are superbly adapted to their environment. They survive droughts and floods. they can not however survive man's indiscriminant destruction of their habitat or the world's climate change brought about by this habitat destruction. Take for example the rain systems over the Amazon Basin in Brazil. The first satellite images from the 70's of the daily development of rain clouds over the entire central and northern portions of the South American continent is now less than half what it was then. Mostly due to the destruction of the rain forest. Vast tracks of land have been de-forested for the cultivation of sugar cane and oil palm. Cattle grazing has permanently destroyed much more. And further contributed to global warming from the millions of tons of methane produced by these cattle. Ok... I'll get off my soap box. Keep your plants damp but don't drown them.

I couldn't agree more...