One dead Den macrophyllum :(
 

I'm posting this as an update to my usual mantra of "I repot everything as soon as I get it"...

I've repotted hundreds of chids immediately upon arrival and never once had a problem...until I got a Den macrophyllum recently :yikes:

I had heard that they do not like their roots disturbed...but I've heard (and ignored) that before ;)

Welllll...I have once again learned something new with these babies...Den macrophyllum REALLY DOES NOT LIKE IT'S ROOTS MESSED WITH!!!

I received a lovely, healthy plant so it is in no way the vendor's fault...I take total responsibility.

I did my usual clean-up/repot thing and two days later, all the leaves turned a bright yellow at their base and fell off. The bulbs got soft and the plant was a total goner in no time at all!

So...although this won't stop me from continuing to do what I do, I wanted to let all those people who read my previous statements that I have finally come across one that beat me ;)

I'm sorry to hear of your recent loss, but thank you for the info on Den macrophyllum.
Joann

Thanks Joann :)

I don't want anybody else making the same mistake as I did.

Laura repotted hers but she did it without disturbing the roots at all...just basically moved the plant into a new pot with a little fresh medium...and it's growing like crazy!

Susanne I really don't think it is something you did. I repotted my macrophyllum when I received it, including scrubbing all the pbulbs and leaves and never had a problem with it.

http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL858.../367677312.jpg

http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL858.../367677305.jpg

It did take me two years to bloom it but it sure was nice and squeaky clean :>)

Brooke

You did very well with yours. :clap:

Whatever happened to mine was definitely something I did...the plant was fine and healthy when it got here :dunno:

Mmmmm, Brooke your macrophyllum is a beauty! Those bristly flowers are irresistible.
Susanne, you might not know (and Brooke does) that macrophyllum culture is kind of backwards to many of the species Dens - it likes a dry period in spring and summer, and gets over 2' of water per month during the cooler months.
It is cool enough to do whatever it wants, IMO.
Cheers - Nancy

It's nice to see this thread again. What I didn't know when this picture was taken is this plant blooms multiple times from each pbulb. Many of mine are now on their fifth bloom spike. It is never without blooms.

It has since been repotted into an 8" pot and never missed a beat. The fragrance is also outstanding.

Brooke