Den can growing against pot
 

Hello everyone,
What do you suggest that I do about the cane that's growing against the pot? The new growth is on the opposite side of the pot, by the way. Several weeks ago I asked the same question to you and I was advised to just leave it as it was for the time being, so I did. Since it's been awhile, I would appreciate your advice again.
Vicki

Interesting. Im gonna subscribe just to see the advice.

well, it's not going to hurt anything to leave it, but if it's not in spike/bloom, you could put it in a slightly larger pot

Remove it and put it in a slightly bigger pot. Better now than after the new roots attach themselves to the existing pot. It looks like the plant is big enough to even divide into two different plants if you want. Good luck.

thank you
 

Thanks for your advice Sonya and Joshua.
Vicki

i would divide it, because i am always trying to make an astheticaly pleasing plant....take off the back bulbs and repot in the same pot...put the backbulbs in a smaller pot and keep a bit on the dry side till they sprout out with new growth.....gl

When is the blooming season for this Den.? If it's going to bloom in the next couple of months, I would leave it until after it blooms. If it just finished blooming or if it's several months away from blooming, I would repot into a slightly larger pot, like Sonya and Joshua said.

dounoharm
 

I've never divided an orchid before because I've been afraid that I would make a mistake and kill both (or more) of the divisions. (Ok,I guess leary was putting it lightly....just plain chicken and scared) :shock:

Do you have any tips on dividing? You know I've been around on the board for quite awhile, so I guess it's about time I get up the nerve.

Thanks for your help,
Vicki

tucker85
 

It's blooming now. Well, it's actually not blooming on the orchid itself any longer because I accidentally knocked the spike off as I was carrying it to take the photos yesterday. I tried to avoid my Vanda roots, but I obviously walked too close under/around them in my greenhouse. The blooms on the spike are shades of yellow and it's in a pretty yellow vase in my kitchen window.

Anyway, I know that I totally got off the subject....I'm sorry. It's a little later than usual for this one to bloom, but I'll keep your advice in mind when it's finished. I'm assuming that will be pretty soon.
Thanks tucker,
Vicki

Amn

Find a rhizome that's long enough for you to get a sterilized cutter through without too much obstruction, and cut.

I would only divide it into 2 large divisions, if you want to divide it. I wouldn't make any more divisions than 2. Smaller divisions are weaker and will not necessarily provide blooms.

Personally, I would leave it alone until it gets bigger to divide it.

King_of_ orchid_growing
 

Thanks for your advice, King. Have you lost plants before because of dividing? I'm just a bit leary not having divided before. I've never put thought into the fact that smaller divisions would be weaker, but that certainly makes good sense. I appreciate your advice.

It's good to see you here....I haven't noticed lately that you are.

Thanks again,
Vicki

I've been very busy with work lately. I've had to work 2 jobs to stay afloat. One of the jobs is working during the graveyard shift. I hardly get time to relax or sleep.

But on to your question...

Yes, I have lost divisions before. That's why I don't recommend dividing your orchids into pieces that are too small. You gotta think about how and where to divide. While it isn't rocket science, I still highly recommend putting some thought into dividing.