Two Dens in one?

[shakkai]

Because I've been watching my about to bloom D. tetragonum more than usual recently, I'm starting to wonder about the different little rounded 'canes' growing on the top. When I first got the plant, I assumed that they were immature canes that would eventually elongate and turn square like the other ones on tetragonum. However, one of these 'immature' canes has buds formed now. And these look entirely different to the buds formed on the tetragonum canes.

So, I started look around... and I'd like to know what everyone thinks??

Here are two photos showing the difference between the two types of canes... ones are short, fat and rounded; the others are elongated and squared.



And here's a photo showing the little round white buds:


Do you think it might be this????

http://www.orchidspecies.com/orphotdir/denaberrans.jpg

[cb977]

Shak, those certainly don't look anything like the bulbs on mine! It does seem to be aberrans...which just happens to be another favorite of mine!
I feel better about my tetragonum now

It will be very interesting to see what the blooms look like once they open. Please keep us posted.

The 'chid(s) looks great!!!

[Ross]

Hate to burst your bubble Shakki, but that's aberrans! Check it out

[cb977]

I wouldn't consider that a "bubble burster"!
Shak has two wonderful species in one! It won't be able to be entered in any shows but still...

[shakkai]

OK, cool... so the little fat canes on the top are aberrans...

but the other longer canes can't be... I think this one came with two different plants tangled up together...

Here are the longer canes, which certainly look like they are tetragonum:





Sue, there are only the two buds on the short fat canes, the rest (the other 45!!) are on the ones shown above.

[cb977]

Ughhh!!!

[shakkai]

Originally Posted by cb977

I wouldn't consider that a "bubble burster"!
Shak has two wonderful species in one! It won't be able to be entered in any shows but still...

So, that was my next question... Do I try to separate them?

I think they have different cultural requirements, so I'm sure that one or the other will not be at its best. At the moment, that seems to be that the tetragonum is the happy one!

[cb977]

How tangled and well-attached are the roots? If you decide they're not too bad and think you might want to tackle it, be sure to soak it well...it'll help loosen the roots. I've removed 'chids from mounts and baskets before that I thought would never survive...but did!
Soak well and then s-l-o-w-l-y and carefully proceed.

I am not saying "Yeah, sure! Go for it!" but if you decide to go ahead, please take my advice

[shakkai]

I'm not going to do anything until they finish flowering. They haven't been on the mount long, so I doubt they will be attached firmly to that. I'm really just worried about the roots being entangled - who knows how long they've been growing together...

But I will definitely give them a good soak before I attempt anything. Thanks, Sue!!

[quiltergal]

How cool! A hitchhiker! I wouldn't be at all disappointed if an aberrans hitched a ride home with another plant. It's a cutie. It will make a neat pic if they time their blooming right.