My Phalaenopsis needs your help!

[punkrockmom]

Bit of back ground: I bought this orchid at work a couple years back and kept it indoors till it pretty much looked like it was a goner.. Dont know what I did wrong back then but it was several years ago and the pot stayed outside for a long while and then my parents grabbed the pot for some of their plants and before they potted anything noticed growth and left it to emerge(see Photo) now I would love to know what to do with it to keep it healty this time, do I pull those husk like things back? Can I repot the small green growth towards the bottom, should I trim that stalk at the top? (see photos) I recieved anouther for mothers day which is healthy right now and hopefully I can keep it that way ANY suggestions would be awesome!!

[bellini girl]

First looks like a Dendrobium, not a Phal

[mehitabel]

Yes, that's what I think, too.

[punkrockmom]

You mean the plant w/o the flowers? If I remember correctly the plant originally when I first bought it had flowers exactly like the one I have now.

[lostonthebeach]

Originally Posted by bellini girl

First looks like a Dendrobium, not a Phal

:iagree:
Absolutely !! Can't get any more Dendrobium than this.

[Roly0217]

It's definetely a hard cane Dendrobium not a Phal. However the flower picture sure is a Phalaenopsis.

[Blueszz]

I agree, flower picture = Phalaenopsis. Plant shown is a *Dendrobium Phalaenopsis*.
If you haven't repotted this plant last year I would say, repot it now it shows new growth. That way, the roots that emerge from the new growth can get hold in a good medium.
As for watering I water when the medium is dry. You could use a skewer to determine if the medium in the middle of the pot is dry too. During active growth I don't let the medium dry out, but keep it slightly moist. That isn't a problem if the medium is fresh and airy.
Feed weakly weekly, which means feed every time you water the plant but use less than advised on the lable of the product, for instance 1/10 of advised strenght. Flush the pot with water only every 4th watering to avoid salt build up.
I keep them in Phalaenopsis temperature en give as much light as they can take.
At least, this is how I grow Dendrobium Phalaenopsis.

[Becky15349]

Your dendrobium looks great - i would leave it alone. don't separate or divide it - its just growing new growths. GIve it a cold spell in the winter (40-50F) for about 8 weeks and it should flower around xmas or after.

[punkrockmom]

Thanks! I think I will take the second advice and keep it like it is b/c I am kinda scared to repot and damage it..

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Becky15349

Your dendrobium looks great - i would leave it alone. don't separate or divide it - its just growing new growths. GIve it a cold spell in the winter (40-50F) for about 8 weeks and it should flower around xmas or after.

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but the plant in the photos looks like a phal type den, so it doesn't need a winter rest. I have one, and it reblooms fine by treating it like a phal( but with more light)