New member! - Orchid Board

arleen · #1 01-17-2019, 12:44 AM

Hello everyone! I have a problematic dendrobium keiki that refuses to grow. It grew a new stem and both plants have leaves that are just the cutest and most perfectly healthy looking. It's been 3 years and they are barely an inch long each! The original keiki grew on a dormant stalk. Does anybody have any idea what is happening?

Zindaginha · #2 01-17-2019, 01:20 AM

I can't help with your question because I'm just starting out with orchids, but welcome!

estación seca · #3 01-17-2019, 02:43 AM

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

How about some information on your growing conditions, and what part of the country you live in?

arleen · #4 01-17-2019, 03:35 AM

The first picture shows the keikis that have stagnated. The 2nd shows beautiful flowers the mother plant always has.

I live in Colorado and our air is dry. So I water my plants every 4 days. Fertilize them once or twice a month. My orchids are situated in the south facing room of my house. House temp is maintained at 68°F.

I just repotted it today and changed to new bark medium and sprayed with a weak hormex solution. I hope that will trigger growth.

Mountaineer370 · #5 01-17-2019, 07:58 AM

I can't answer your specific question, but I just wanted to say welcome to the Orchid Board!

estación seca · #6 01-17-2019, 09:49 AM

Orchids are slow-growing plants. Keikis can take a while to get going if separated early. When it begins making a new growth, make sure it doesn't get completely dry between waterings. It would probably grow faster if it were warmer during the growing season.

charlesf6 · #7 01-17-2019, 07:04 PM

Welcome!

Roberta · #8 01-17-2019, 10:32 PM

Welcome!
From what I know of Denver (I have spent time there in winter and felt like I was crawling out of my skin it was so dry) , you could probably water more often... winter heating on top of naturally low humidity is really desiccating. Den. kingianum should be just beginning to wake up (that does look like a nice new growth starting, and roots should be along presently so this was a good time to repot. ) It will benefit from the best light that you can give it. And if it is fairly close to the window, it will be on the cool side - which would also be good. During the summer, it would benefit from being outside once the danger of surprise snow storms has really passed.