Can I root from this stem?

[Dollythehun]

All: I am familiar with this technique from gardening. Would it work with this Dendrobium flower stem? The stem has what appears to be a root. If I wrap some damp spag around it might it root? This is as you can see an older cane. This plant is pretty beat up. It fell and lost most of it's roots last fall. It still bloomed 5 scapes, so I wouldn't mind having a "back up."

[Leafmite]

I would give it a try.

[jkofferdahl]

It sounds like you want to do an orchid version of air-layering. While I've not personally tried it I can't see any reason for it to NOT work. Give it a go. The worst that can happen is it doesn't work.

[MattWoelfsen]

I am trying this technique on a palm-tree looking Vanda. I have wrapped the roots in sphagnum moss, but I also soaked the moss in a root stimulant product called KelpMax (from First Rays). It has been two weeks but I'm trying to resist opening the moss to see how it is going.

To keep the moss damp, I have also placed a cotton rag around the moss--not using plastic as it doesn't allow for air flow. I am watering the entire plant along with other Vanda. But if this experiment feels dry I also mist the moss. I have also placed it closer to the light and keeping it in fresh, warm, circulating, humid air.

[Dollythehun]

Yes, air layering often involves cutting the stem. I did not want to do that. I think I'll try Mattwoelfsen's method.

[PaphMadMan]

Since there is a root it is officially a keiki even if it started out with flowers on it. You should be able to find lots of posts here and info elsewhere about Dendrobium keikis. You can certainly do the layering with damp sphagnum, but in a humid environment it will probably continue to grow roots even without it.

[Dollythehun]

Well, I learned something new today. An official keiki is is! Thank you all!

[bil]

What you could do is harvest the entire cane, dust the cut end and leave it to dry for a day or so, get a wide, shallow container, put some fine bark in, put a line of sphag on the bark that is the length of the cane. Then place the cane on that, cover with a line of sphag, then fill the pot and just cover with bark. Water as if it were a normal orchid, and with luck, it will shoot from a node, if those roots don't work.

My experience has been that harvesting a keiki on its own gives poor growth, but harvesting and planting the whole cane gives hugely improved root growth.

[Dollythehun]

I just bagged up that keiki. If that doesn't work, I will try that method. All my other Den Phals are growing new canes but his old girl is not. So, I am a little concerned.

I did use your idea about the balls of spag interspersed in the pot. I had a "falloff" from my Dialalia and potted it as you suggested.

[bil]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

I just bagged up that keiki. If that doesn't work, I will try that method. All my other Den Phals are growing new canes but his old girl is not. So, I am a little concerned.

I did use your idea about the balls of spag interspersed in the pot. I had a "falloff" from my Dialalia and potted it as you suggested.

I find that light is critical. Not enough light, and there will be no new canes. Move one to a low light level, and it will abort a new shoot.