Dendrobium Keikei help
 

In September I bought myself 3 orchids (2 phalaenopsis and 1 dendrobium nobile). The dendrobium is growing keikeis but the other 2 aren't doing much at all. Looking for help particularly with my dendrobium as the Keikeis seem to have stopped growing. I'm wondering what help I can give, or what conditions I need to be keeping it in. I have attached a couple of pictures but they seem to have been at this stage for a couple of weeks now with no additional growth particularly to the roots. Any advice would be much appreciated as it is a beautiful orchid

Thanks in advance

So I'm guessing that winters in England have 1) overcast days (less light), 2) colder temperatures, and 3) lower humidity. Give it time and don't remove the keikis until the roots have grown to 7.5-10cm.

Yep, patience is key. I have some with keikis that look pretty much the same now as they did a few months ago when I brought them in. Cooler weather, less humidity. Patience, patience. :biggrin:

looks fine to me, a couple of weeks in orchid growing terms is nothing. Slowing down in winter is to be expected.
The substrate looks a bit mushy and could do with a fresh lot in spring or now would be fine too as it isn't doing much.

There might be a new cane forming at the base of the last cane, it's hard to see clearly

Thanks for the replies. Yes it is winter so much cooler now. I'm glad I'm not doing anything wrong. I was scared that it was not growing as it should and I would lose such a beautiful orchid.

The substrate is what it came potted in. Is more of a bark mixture recommended for dendrobiums too as Ivenonly bough orchid compost befire which was much more compact.

I've added a new picture of the new one at the base of the cane. That only started to grow a week or so ago

looking good but I wouldn't trust the substrate.

It's coco fibre - which is very water retentive. One advantage is that it changes colour when dry - yours is very wet.
So although coco can be used it should be kept on the dry side (light brown) with some dark brown patches.

If you are not used to how much water coco fibre can absorb (its like kitchen paper so can keep damp for long but can absorb too much) then think about repotting.

I think dendrobium nobiles are amongst the few orchids that can grow well in coco fibre ( I managed for a year...) but it's not something I would recommend..

Thank you.

Looks like a trip to a garden center is in order to find a better mix

I wouldn't repot a Dendrobium unless it were making new root growth at the base.

it should start that in spring. If you want to wait till then then keep it drier, letting it change color in between watering is important with coco

Thank you. I'll leave it longer before watering again and keep an eye on the color before doing so.