New to Dendrobium. Roots dead?

[Shivonne]

I am so thankful to see this discussion. I am in the same situation with my dendrobium. There is a new kikki growing out as well and the roots of the mother plant seems to be rotten. So I removed most of the rotten roots and is uncertain if the mother plant is dead or alive. I left the orchid open and attached to a stake with very little medium to prevent deterioration to affect the new kikki. I am a newbee in growing orchids, but I hope to maintain this one as it was a special gift.

[LovePhals]

Originally Posted by Shivonne

I am so thankful to see this discussion. I am in the same situation with my dendrobium. There is a new kikki growing out as well and the roots of the mother plant seems to be rotten. So I removed most of the rotten roots and is uncertain if the mother plant is dead or alive. I left the orchid open and attached to a stake with very little medium to prevent deterioration to affect the new kikki. I am a newbee in growing orchids, but I hope to maintain this one as it was a special gift.

Those are new canes coming from the Dendrobium base, not keikis. Keikis will come from the cane of the den. The new canes are just growth of the plant getting larger in size. If you get new roots from the new growth at the base your den should be ok. Just ensure they get enough water when new roots are emerging.

[Optimist]

Originally Posted by LovePhals

Those are new canes coming from the Dendrobium base, not keikis. Keikis will come from the cane of the den. The new canes are just growth of the plant getting larger in size. If you get new roots from the new growth at the base your den should be ok. Just ensure they get enough water when new roots are emerging.

This is a good point. Orchids like Dendrobiums and Cattleyas have a growth pattern like bunch grass. It I called asexual propogation. The other alternative is the flowers and the seeds (sexual propagation). orchids have 2 ways to continue to grow. Kiekies are a 3rd way. It is like a spider plant making new little plants.

New growth is called a new lead. I love orchids because learning about them is fascinating. There is always a new challenge!

[lauraeli]

Can i mount on a pumice stone, set it inside a pot, and fill the rest of the space with bark/lava rock? Bark is probably closest to what it was in before.

Also, does lava rock really wick water?

I removed it from the rotting log it was on and it did not go willingly. There were a lot of tiny bugs and spiders living inside of it. Not sure if it is my imagination that one of the leaves is more limp now. But that cane is growing new roots anyway.

Right now the plant is just sitting atop some moist sphagnum. Here is the pumice stone for size comparison.

Dendros cant be grown in sphagnum, can they?

[nutgirl]

Can i mount on a pumice stone, set it inside a pot, and fill the rest of the space with bark/lava rock? Bark is probably closest to what it was in before.

- If you mean can you attach the roots on and around the stone and fill in up to the base of the plant with potting mix? I don't know why not.
It would give you good stability and drainage. You might have to water more frequently.
I grow my Dendrobiums in LECA, lava rock and mounted on wood. They all seem to work.

Also, does lava rock really wick water?

- It seems to. Or else it holds water in it's little crevices, I'm not sure which.

I removed it from the rotting log it was on and it did not go willingly. There were a lot of tiny bugs and spiders living inside of it. Not sure if it is my imagination that one of the leaves is more limp now. But that cane is growing new roots anyway.

-Don't worry about the plant they can take pretty rough treatment. It will probably sulk for a while.
Don't overwater, keep it on the dry side. Let it dry out good between waterings. Let it adjust and allow the new roots to grow. If you see new canes starting and/or roots with green tips then you know you're on the right track. Give it light and warmth.

Right now the plant is just sitting atop some moist sphagnum. Here is the pumice stone for size comparison.

Dendros cant be grown in sphagnum, can they

- I've don't use sphagnum as a potting medium, maybe someone else has some experience to share.


Maureen

[lauraeli]

Yay! That makes me feel better. I did attach it to a rock. I ended up using a lava rock because it was smaller and fit better in the pot. I put a little bit of moss in between the rock and the plant, to cushion it. All I could find to attach it was a red hair band :-P It worked great though. I looped it around twice.

I put a few lava rocks in the bottom, put the orchid in place, and then filled the space with coarse bark. Im going to put it back under the CFL and hopefully all those new roots continue to grow :-)

[Shivonne]

Ok I think in my situation I should be doing this. Thanks a bunchez!!

[nutgirl]

Originally Posted by lauraeli

Yay! That makes me feel better. I did attach it to a rock. I ended up using a lava rock because it was smaller and fit better in the pot. I put a little bit of moss in between the rock and the plant, to cushion it. All I could find to attach it was a red hair band :-P It worked great though. I looped it around twice.

I put a few lava rocks in the bottom, put the orchid in place, and then filled the space with coarse bark. Im going to put it back under the CFL and hopefully all those new roots continue to grow :-)

Your plant looks so healthy, I'm sure it'll do fine. With the lava rock and the new bark you may find that it dries out faster than you think. Just make sure those new little roots keep green and growing.

Maureen

[Optimist]

Since it is in lava now, and in a growth mode, you are going to have to water at least every day, to every other day. If the new little live ends of the roots think it is a drought, they will shut down.

[lauraeli]

Originally Posted by Optimist

Since it is in lava now, and in a growth mode, you are going to have to water at least every day, to every other day. If the new little live ends of the roots think it is a drought, they will shut down.

There are a few pieces of lava rock in there, but mostly bark. Should I still water every day? I was only watering it once or twice a week before. Though the medium was moisture retentive before, too.