Dendrobium Logessi(?)

[kindrag23]

Okay so I have this den. that I received as a freebie from another member on the OB i noticed that on one of the pieces that is floating freely has a lot of unattached roots on it. I was thinking of cutting that piece away and giving it to another friend if i can get it up and going. BIG if there.

How on earth could I go about doing this...or SHOULD I do this?

[gnathaniel]

Not a great idea IMO, such a small piece of pseudobulb/rhizome is unlikely to be viable and even if you can keep it going the small piece will take years to grow to blooming size. Dendrobium loddigesii (<-- species names should not be capitalized) has a naturally viny/branching growth habit that works well mounted or in a basket, I'd suggest strapping the free-floating bit down to the mount and if you're lucky it'll put out an additional new growth or two in the spring. Once you get this growing well for a couple of years you'll have plenty of nice divisions to share around.

Nice acquisition! This is one of my favorite orchid species, a big specimen in bloom is really spectacular.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

I agree, it is a small keiki and I would definitely mount this Dendro and try to strap this small piece to the mount or close to it so the roots can attach. It will be gorgeous once it blooms:-) Few tips - It loves high light, really! Also, it loves to be mounted, cork or tree fern (recently I read about cool idea to mount actually on both sides of the tree fern square, this way when it blooms it is rather spectacular:-)). Also, THIS ONE NEEDS WINTER REST, so no fertilizer and watering (except light misting to keep canes from withering) December-February. Fertilize often during the growing season. Hope this help:-)

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[gnathaniel]

Good tips, Tommy, but one quibble: I don't find it necessary to keep loddigesii extremely dry in winter. Mine does better when I reduce, but not eliminate watering through the cooler months. Most of the other species I grow in this section seem to benefit from less-than-total dryness in winter as well, even if they'll tolerate complete cessation. Of course, 'optimal' culture is so dependent on tons of factors beyond just watering frequency that what works in my setting may not be good for someone else...

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by gnathaniel

Good tips, Tommy, but one quibble: I don't find it necessary to keep loddigesii extremely dry in winter. Mine does better when I reduce, but not eliminate watering through the cooler months. Most of the other species I grow in this section seem to benefit from less-than-total dryness in winter as well, even if they'll tolerate complete cessation. Of course, 'optimal' culture is so dependent on tons of factors beyond just watering frequency that what works in my setting may not be good for someone else...

It is always true, what works for one does not necessarily work for the other. I got these growing tips from grower here in Florida, where winters are still hot, and she still suggests to withhold the water and only mist once a week, her spring blooming pieces are spectacular. It all depends on your gowing conditions, zone etc. I have never kept winter rest for my dendros and none of them ever bloomed, except since the natural cycle was not followed, they did produce many keikis on the old canes (which happens when they do not get proper winter rest, so I read online:-))) So this year I am READY to follow all the tips and grow as others do, with winter rest and only misting for all the dendros that requires one, and will see in the spring:-)

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[gnathaniel]

Heh, loddigesii will 'keiki' regardless of winter moisture/dryness, the natural growth habit of the species is to scramble and branch. Since your climate probably has warmer winters than most species in section Dendrobium experience in their native ranges, keeping them very dry maintains dormancy/suppresses new growth while helping (cool-induced) bloom hormones more quickly reach critical concentration at bud sites. Keep in mind, though, that a nursery environment likely has higher humidity than you can easily maintain in winter, in which case your plants will transpire more and need more frequent or heavier water to maintain the cultural equivalent of the nursery.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

many thanks, i am planning to mist the dendros during the winter, not keeping them totally dry - like i will for catasetums - however no fertilizer and no regular watering, and will see:-)

[ronaldhanko]

Good luck with it. It's a fairly easy orchid to grow.

[kindrag23]

These latin names keep throwing me off..I also just go by the tag. Haha. Okay will just leave it alone then.

[kindrag23]

Thank you everyone, It will be in my house they go in a back room with a humidifier and a Large double glass door ways that face SW Lots of bright light also will have a propane heater back there to keep semi warm temperatures.

@TommyMiami I will most likely stop watering mine during mid october early november. And as always you you give wonderful advice.

one of my Catasetums has already begun its sleep cycle and it is in spike go figure. lol.