What is this den trying to grow?

[Maru777]

Hello everyone! I need help again with one of the dendrobium I bought about 2 months ago. According to wiser people than I from this forum this is a dendrobium phaelonopsis type. I cut the flower spike because it was getting a bit suicidal and jumping off the rack - found it on the floor a couple of times. Fortunately it did not seem to get damaged and after I cut the spike it’s more steady. I got it a metal decorative pot as well so it’s heavy enough to keep it in place. After cutting the spike it also started growing a new cane at the bottom - which is really cute, but also another well, thing. This one is growing kind of sideways and I have no idea what it is. Help please?

[fishmom]

It's really hard to see your photo, it is so dark, but I think I see a light-colored aerial root behind the plant. Is that what you are talking about? If so, it is perfectly normal.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Yes , photo too dark and blurry. Take the plant out into all that sunshine, you will get a better photo and hopefully an answer to your question.

[Maru777]

Ok, tried again hopefully this one is better. The thing I’m pointing at is the weird one. Thank you!

[Orchid Whisperer]

It's early, but possibly that is a keiki.

[Maru777]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

It's early, but possibly that is a keiki.

Thank you for the quick reply! Does this mean it’s not doing well? It’s also growing a new cane at the bottom so I was hoping it was doing fine, but what I read about keikis is they appear when the plant thinks it’s dying? It looks happy otherwise, no dead leaves, some tiny green roots that have finally started to poke out. Basically, anything I could do to help it? Thank you!

[Paphluvr]

The growth habit looks more like a Dendrobium nobile type to me. If so, that could be the start of a flower spike.

[Roberta]

Plant looks healthy. If a keiki, it's just natural propgation. Whatever it is, you'll find out soon, and then you'll know the next time you see it. Part of the fun of growing orchids is to watch them grow and observe the patterns.

[Maru777]

Thank you, everyone! As long as the plant is fine, I guess all is well I’ll post updates once it grows more and it becomes clearer what it’s trying to do. The dens are the newest additions to my orchids and still not too sure I’m caring for them right and exactly how they are supposed to look like and grow.

[Maru777]

I promised updates on this little growing thing and it looks like it’s indeed a keiki because I think I can make out some leaves now that it’s grown a bit more. I tried to catch them on camera. My new problem is that it seems to be sprouting another one on the same cane on the other side? I’m keeping an eye on this plant because it’s a bit of an overachiever. It is also trying to grow that new cane at the bottom - but because these things suck some energy I imagine, this new cane is growing pretty slowly. I hope the plant will be fine and be able to support all of this stuff it’s trying to grow.