question about watering/fertilizing

[lauraeli]

Anyone?

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by lauraeli

Should I water my dendro every day? It has a lot of new growth, but since i moved it outside the growth has slowed. Some of the small new roots have stopped growing. I thought it was because it is actually getting less light. It was under a CFL in the house, and growing like a weed. But i was told it wasnt enough light, and that I should move it outside. I put it where it can get morning sun until 11 or 11:30, but it has been overcast every day since then.

The root system is very minimal on this dendro. Most of them were old and dead during the repot, so the new roots are practically the only roots. It is in bark now.

Should I water more to encourage root growth? Or will that encourage rot instead?

Here is a picture of immediately after the repot, and what it looks like now. It appears growth has slowed significantly. I want to say there is a week between photos.

Edit- I put sphagnum moss on top to try to keep the roots from drying. I pulled it away for the pic.

Watering it more will not encourage root growth. The roots grow because they are spreading out, trying to find more water. Roots actually grow more when they need to seek water, i.e., they are kept somewhat on the dry side. Have a look at the orchid roots in the photos on this page: A garden's chronicle: A lithophytic orchid

The roots you show are actively growing. I would not necessarily water less, but I wouldn't water more (don't fix what ain't broke).

[lauraeli]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Watering it more will not encourage root growth. The roots grow because they are spreading out, trying to find more water. Roots actually grow more when they need to seek water, i.e., they are kept somewhat on the dry side. Have a look at the orchid roots in the photos on this page: A garden's chronicle: A lithophytic orchid

The roots you show are actively growing. I would not necessarily water less, but I wouldn't water more (don't fix what ain't broke).

The roots started active growth before the repot and move outside. The growing tips have almost disappeared. So I think it is 'broke' and needs to be 'fixed'. The pictures I posted were a week apart and there is a noticeable difference in the size of the green root tip.

[tarev]

We all have varied growing conditions, so pretty much you just have to observe how your plants are growing and drying out, then water as needed.

Pretty much with the warm season, I water often a bit more than during the colder months. And it is just too dry here, we do not have rain, will see it yet in November, so I have to adjust as the season changes. When it comes to fertilizer, I am not too heavy handed with that either. I have learned with orchids, cannot rush these guys, they will take it as it goes.

It helps to be observant of the temperature, humidity and air circulation around your plants. Watering alone is not the only gauge of a well growing orchid. Got to observe more and see how your growing conditions are like.

Plus knowing which ones are really water hogs, like Oncidiums, I can water them freely during these warm months, cannot really drown them, they like that much water. My dendrobiums likes being watered but they also would like to dry out and loves being in an airy environment. So evaluate the other aspects of your growing area.

[lauraeli]

REally my concern is how to ensure it continues active growth. It has very little in the way of roots as the majority of the roots are old and dead. The only thing that dries out the growing medium is evaporation and air flow. The roots barely extend into the medium at all. That's why I need the new roots to continue their growth.

[RandomGemini]

If you wanted it to continue to grow without stopping at all, you shouldn't have repotted. The caveat, however, is that this was actually the perfect time to repot this plant. But to expect it not to slow its growth, is unrealistic.

Orchids slow down in their growth and go through an adjustment phase when repotted or when there are changes in their environment.

I'll say this again.. nothing GOOD in this hobby happens quickly. It will take a few months to a year for this new growth of yours to mature. If it slows down a little during that time, you can assume that it will also have spurts of growth too, most likely, when it is warm and sunny out, like right about now. Expect the growth to slow or even stall out this winter when temps are cooler.

[lauraeli]

Originally Posted by RandomGemini

If you wanted it to continue to grow without stopping at all, you shouldn't have repotted. The caveat, however, is that this was actually the perfect time to repot this plant. But to expect it not to slow its growth, is unrealistic.

Orchids slow down in their growth and go through an adjustment phase when repotted or when there are changes in their environment.

I'll say this again.. nothing GOOD in this hobby happens quickly. It will take a few months to a year for this new growth of yours to mature. If it slows down a little during that time, you can assume that it will also have spurts of growth too, most likely, when it is warm and sunny out, like right about now. Expect the growth to slow or even stall out this winter when temps are cooler.

Ok, I will just label it as an adjustment period and let it do its thing. I guess I was worried it had aborted its growth spurt entirely.

[tarev]

Oftentimes, I get to see most growth of new roots, leaves, pbs, or canes in early to mid Spring. At least that is how I observe it in my area.

Once our temps soar to the upper 90's to triple digits, I do not see any new ones. Just the existing ones.Then when temps go very cold in Fall and winter, more slowing down, to dormancy, unless it is a cool growing variety.

The blooms come in varied times, it will depend on what variety you are growing.

If plant has been repotted and moved, then add a bit more waiting, till it gets used to the new media and acclimate once more. And as I have mentioned earlier, adjust watering frequency as season changes.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by lauraeli

The roots started active growth before the repot and move outside. The growing tips have almost disappeared. So I think it is 'broke' and needs to be 'fixed'. The pictures I posted were a week apart and there is a noticeable difference in the size of the green root tip.

If you carefully compare your photos, you will see that some of the root growth before the repot has slowed or halted (mostly where the medium was disturbed), but there are new root tips in the second photo that are not in the first photo. Also, one of the root tips in the first photo that was not touching the medium has elongated quite a bit.

I think it'll be OK, no fix is needed. Again, I would neither increase or decrease your watering.

[lauraeli]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

If you carefully compare your photos, you will see that some of the root growth before the repot has slowed or halted (mostly where the medium was disturbed), but there are new root tips in the second photo that are not in the first photo. Also, one of the root tips in the first photo that was not touching the medium has elongated quite a bit.

I think it'll be OK, no fix is needed. Again, I would neither increase or decrease your watering.

Ok, i see it now. So maybe it is just choosing which roots to grow and shutting down the others. I guess that makes sense.