Tiny Dendrobium Antennatum with kieki’s

[Jim S]

This is my first dendrobium, I’ve had it since May 1, 2022. The plant did nothing for about 30 days, then quickly sprouted two keiki’s low to the potting mix (high filtered light, about 3,000-3,500 fc, kept moist). The kieki roots are already getting into the potting mix, I suppose I’ll just let them grow and after the kieki’s are big enough cut them off. There appears to be a small sprout which I hoped will be a new cane, but the kieki’s have taken over and the sprout isn’t doing anything. Actually, the sprout now looks more like a root (pic 5)…

[estación seca]

Don't pull off those lower growths. That is common in antennatum Dens.

[Jim S]

I was just going to let them grow, and when they get big enough separate them from the mother and re-pot.

[estación seca]

When you divide a plant it's better for both pieces if they're at least 2-4 pseudobulbs. What you're seeing may be how your plant will make most new growths from the base.

[Jim S]

Both growths are at the first node, about an inch above the potting medium which seems weird for new growth. I was wondering if they weren't so much kieki's, but rather just new growth.

[estación seca]

That's what I mean. The antennata/Spatulata Dens. frequently make normal new growth from a few nodes above the root zone. I wouldn't take them off.