Den NOID help!

[Joyorchid]

I was given a gorgeous neostylis specimen plant set in a basket with lava rick. Amidst the lava rock was this little guy, he's about 6 inches tall.

Anyway, I have no idea what kind of den he is, other than the person who gifted it to me said it was an asian den and a bit must have fallen in the basket and decided to grow.

When I was watering this morning I banged the basket on the sink and the little guy came out. I have been wanting to give him a proper home of his own, so here's my chance!

Therefore, I have several questions for all you den pros:
1) can anyone give me an idea of the type of den so I can get some culture info?
2) what media is best? I want to do semi hydro but don't know if this is the right time. There have been lots of new roots in the last 2 weeks.
3) also need info re: light requirements. Currently he is living with the vandas in pretty high light.

Much appreciated for any advise!
Joy

[WhiteRabbit]

Seems to be a nobile type - going by what looks like old spikes from the nodes along the length of the cane.

I don't grow in s/h, so hopefully others can help you out there.

Nobiles can take some pretty high light. Winter rest: very little water, no fert, bright light, cool temps.
Water well when growing.

[Chatbud]

I'm a novice and could be wrong.
From what I read - that pot could be too big for a den of this size? Dens like to be potted snug in a smallish pot?

[violetta]

I agree with WhiteRabbit.
As for the size of the pot, it doesn't really matter, as long as the media dries out quickly. It depends on the climate (high or low humidity) and type of media.

[Joyorchid]

I put it in a 2 inch cup that I converted to be s/h, since it was growing on lava rock I hope this won't shock it too much.

I am keeping it with the vandas for now, it seems to like the light there. Do I need to cut the dried stalk or do I leave it? And are these the kind that like a winter rest?

Thanks for all the help so far!

[Vanda lover]

I agree that this den looks to be a nobile type. Although I grow the phal type dens in s/h in lava rock, I haven't tried growing a nobile type this way. They need a winter rest.
I wouldn't remove the stalk. They still get nutrients and can produce new plants from the old stalks.

[Joyorchid]

As I live in a bone-dry high desert, I figured s/h would provide the needed humidity even in winter when our RH is about 7%. I am curious about others experiences with dens in s/h?

[Vanda lover]

The 2 phal dens I have in s/h really love it. I also have reed stemmed epi, a miltonopsis and onc Sharry baby in s/h that are happy.