Rdcm. small and weak growing

[Heather McLeod]

I have a cute Rdcm. 'spring Bouquet x Starlet'. The main part or adult part of the plant died off, but another smaller part started growing. However, it's growing out of the dead growth of the parent plant. it was growing strong, but I fear that it's not strong enough to make it. I'm concerned that the good roots are getting too wet inside the dead growth of the parent plant. Any ideas? Cut out the little orchid? Temperature? Light? Humidity? At this point, I'm wondering if I should decrease the light if it's this weak. Thoughts? I'm an intermediate grower.

[james mickelso]

If you keep the old dead material wet, you'll rot the new growth. If you cut the old dead material away, you'll kill the plant. Tough spot. I would mount this for awhile and just spray this with RO or distilled water when it gets dry. As it grows, you can slowly cut off the dead material until potting time. Medium light levels like bright phal light. Too much light will desiccate this new growth which has few roots to replenish moisture. I wouldn't even feed it right now. Maybe a little of Ray's Kelpmax for root health.