Dendrobium spectabile

[Ladyofthelakes]

I purchased 2 large Den. spectabiles this past summer. That was a couple months before I found out why I was and have been exhausted for several years

Having jumped over that huge health crisis and on the mend I went back to trying to save my orchid collection. The two Dens were large when I bought them, so I thought it was time to repot since there were these nasty pbulbs getting a black core in several of the growths. My experience with another orchid, a different kind, an Encylia showed rotting roots.

These dens were so root bound that a day of soaking did not lossen up the mess. I soaked them 3 days. Then tackled the mess of dead roots. Hours and hours later two plants became 4 and virtually no roots alive. I am sure standing exhausted at the sink i clipped some good roots.

I potted them in LECA after soaking them in Physan for about 20 minutes then soaking the potted plants in a bowl of Superthrive.

Sorry about no pictures, but I am sure you can picture an orchid with many good leaves and pbulbs and no roots in your mind.

Will these orchids be able to grow new roots and survive? Should I water everyday in those LECA pieces?

I read an article in my latest AOS magazine on soaking these kind of problem orchids for weeks to months to get new roots.

What are all your opinions. Thanks for the help, for now I am keeping them watered every other day in superthrive by running water over and letting them drain in the sink.

[WhiteRabbit]

Dens can be very resilient. I wouldn't soak anything - just take care of it as usual - warm and humid would probably be helpful, but probably not necessary. Are the canes in good shape?

[campchi]

Dendrobium are a fighter, just pot em up, water with seaweed or kelp added weakly weekly. This will promote root growth. Like the above post, keep it high humidity.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board, and we're glad you're feeling better.

Superthrive contains rooting hormones. Many kelp products contain more rooting hormones than Superthrive and cost a lot less. Also, if your Superthrive is old, it is probably ineffective.

There is an AOS culture sheet on Dens here
AOS - Dendrobiums
D. spectabile is in the Latouria group.