Unexpected Den Bud

[D&S Mabel]

Last year, I was given a number of castoff hardcane dendrobiums. They were in rough shape. All had spent some time in various positions such that a number of the canes shot off in wild directions. In order to get them under control and repot the plants, I had to cut down a number of the canes on most all of the plants.

A couple months ago, one of those shortened canes broke off again at a weak point where it appeared a squirrel had gotten at it and, as I was about to throw the piece away, I thought about how I read that you can grow more plants by cutting the canes into pieces, placing then on moist soil/mix, etc. So I put the piece of cane on top of the potting mix and left it there - and actually forgot about it.

While doing some orchid housekeeping today, I noticed that the piece has yet to put out any roots or sprouts - but it had actually sprouted a bud! I don't know that it will bloom but this was the last thing I expected out of this arrangement.

[Lene Th.]

Thats axtually pretty cool! Hope it grows some roots as well...

[gmdiaz]

Just goes to show. . .Life is always trying to find a way.

You've got to LOVE it!

[unhappykat]

Never throw away a piece of a hardcane dendrobium, whenever I have extra can pieces, by intention or not, they sit ontop of the potting media of the plant they came from until they turn black or rot, you never know when one might shoot up a bud or keiki.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by D&S Mabel

Last year, I was given a number of castoff hardcane dendrobiums. They were in rough shape. All had spent some time in various positions such that a number of the canes shot off in wild directions. In order to get them under control and repot the plants, I had to cut down a number of the canes on most all of the plants.

A couple months ago, one of those shortened canes broke off again at a weak point where it appeared a squirrel had gotten at it and, as I was about to throw the piece away, I thought about how I read that you can grow more plants by cutting the canes into pieces, placing then on moist soil/mix, etc. So I put the piece of cane on top of the potting mix and left it there - and actually forgot about it.

While doing some orchid housekeeping today, I noticed that the piece has yet to put out any roots or sprouts - but it had actually sprouted a bud! I don't know that it will bloom but this was the last thing I expected out of this arrangement.

Many hard cane Dends are unruley and send their canes out in awkward directions. This is the nature of their growth and many people avoid collecting them because of this. Their canes should not be cut until they are completely leafless, shriveled and yellow because they are an important source of energy for the plant. Blooms are produced on the older canes if the cane still has leaves. Canes produced this season will not have the potential to bloom until next season.

[D&S Mabel]

Under normal conditions, I agree with not cutting the canes until they are spent. This did cost me a good seasons worth of blooms but I do not have the room for 2 to 3 foot wide plants. Most of my others stay within 12" to 18" wide.

I find that I have to rotate my hardcanes as they like to grow toward the sun and lighting conditions in my growing area are not uniform. This keeps them growing relatively straight.

[isurus79]

This spring I had to cut off a pierardii cane and Ive put it on moist spag, hoping for keikis. For several months now, all Ive gotten is flowers! I let 'em open for a day and chop 'em off. I need foliage, not flowers!!

[unhappykat]

Originally Posted by isurus79

This spring I had to cut off a pierardii cane and Ive put it on moist spag, hoping for keikis. For several months now, all Ive gotten is flowers! I let 'em open for a day and chop 'em off. I need foliage, not flowers!!

i think your cane wants to maybe try letting it dry out for a few days out of the bag, if not then enjoy your blooms on a stick while they last, at least it blooms instead of just sitting there.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by unhappykat

i think your cane wants to maybe try letting it dry out for a few days out of the bag, if not then enjoy your blooms on a stick while they last, at least it blooms instead of just sitting there.

lol I agree! Nothing is more aggravating than an orchid that just sits and doesn't do anything. Along your idea of letting it dry out, I actually took it out of the bag a few weeks ago and put in an open tupperware so it has the ability to dry more. Hopefully it works!

[D&S Mabel]

To put a cap on this, I fully expected this thing to just poop out but it bloomed. Amazing to me, anyway!