Tiny Dendrobium keiki-Help with a root mystery

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by GoldStar135

I'm not too sure if you understood how my setup works-let me try to explain it again

So when I moved the keiki into its current plastic container, I took an empty strawberry box, (kind of like this, including the holes at the bottom)

washed it out, filled with some sphag that had been soaked for a couple hours, then set the keiki in. I then put the container in a black plastic take-out tray. When ever the moss dries out, I pour a little water in the tray and let the sphagnum wick up the water. I then leave whatever's left over in the tray itself to evaporate.
Should I continue watering this way? I pour just enough water (into the black tray) so that the water barely touches the sphagnum.

Water in the black container is wicked up by the sphagnum and the roots are too wet. That is why they are turning black. Good luck.

[Sharon's Sheepdogs]

I agree with the previous posts.The roots will continue to die if it remains in the spag. I suspect your problem could be the amount of sphag this container holds. It is probably taking too long for this amount of sphag to dry out. Are you sure the salt build up on the sphag is not actually some type of mold growing and affecting the roots?

It's time to repot this keiki into a very small pot. You will have to water more often but the medium will dry much quicker which most orchids prefer. Since you don't have any new root growth, I would not completely eliminate the sphag from the medium. If the only bark you have access to is Bettergrow, can you pick the smaller pieces from the mix along with some sponge rock & mix 50/50 with fresh sphag?

I would recommend you continue to use distilled water and add 1/2 tsp. physan 20 per gallon of water until you no longer see any thing growing on the sphag unless you're absolutely sure it's salt build up.

Do you have any Kelp Max or KLN Rooting Solution you could soak the keiki in for a half hour or so before repotting? It might help stimulate some new root growth.

Good luck!

[Dollythehun]

Do you realize how rare it is to get the same advice from several people?

I am with Sharon on the soaking: a couple weeks ago I rescued a tiny desicated Catt. from Lowe's bargain bin. It had a teeny tiny nub and equally tiny root nub. Just soaked if overnight in fish emulsion and by morning, the root was a half an inch long. So, soak that kieki!

[GoldStar135]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Do you realize how rare it is to get the same advice from several people?

After reading multiple topics around the forum, I've come to realize exactly that!
Here's my plan:
I found a couple of screens to use online:Amazon.com : Practicool Stainless Steel Garden Potting Sieve / Riddle - with 4 Interchangeable Mesh Sizes - 3, 6, 9, 12mm : Patio, Lawn & Garden
It is a little expensive, but I think it'll help a lot with my future repots.

I'm planning to use around 1/4 inch to 3/4 inch bark from the smaller pieces in the Better-gro bag-I'll use the two sieves bil mentioned. Should I leave the keiki in the same container it's in now or put it in a smaller container? I have a tiny plastic drinking cup (around 1-3 oz, not entirely sure) that I can use.

Are you sure the salt build up on the sphag is not actually some type of mold growing and affecting the roots?
I did consider that, but from looking at pictures online and seeing similar buildups on the roots of my two healthy phals, and from the way it flakes when it's dry (upon being touched the white deposits fall apart quite easily) I'm 90% sure it's not mold. It's definitely not furry or hairy.

Would it be overkill to put another one of the small cups over the keiki once it's potted for extra humidity?
Thanks!

[Dollythehun]

Goldstar, you are overthinking this. Just pick out the bits of smaller bark and punch some holes in your cup and pot. At this point, I wouldn't worry about salt or humidity or screens. Just get it potted. Sorry if I sound cranky but, one if the perils of the OB is that it causes you to overthink and 'dither' around when you should just do it. If that doesn't work, back up and try something else. I am married to a brilliant engineer but sometimes the problem is resolved before the engineering is done. Please, don't anyone be offended but there is something to be said for bailing wire and chewing gum.

[jkofferdahl]

That Carol is engaged to an engineer explains SO VERY MUCH!

I agree with her sentiments here 100%. Having passed three days since your original post, time is actually becoming an issue. In my last post I wished you good luck but now I'm wishing all of the luck for the poor, suffering keiki which should, by all reason, be set into it's new home by now and into recovery.

Quit thinking and act.

[Dollythehun]

Married...34 years...

[GoldStar135]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Goldstar, you are overthinking this. Just pick out the bits of smaller bark and punch some holes in your cup and pot. At this point, I wouldn't worry about salt or humidity or screens. Just get it potted. Sorry if I sound cranky but, one if the perils of the OB is that it causes you to overthink and 'dither' around when you should just do it. If that doesn't work, back up and try something else. I am married to a brilliant engineer but sometimes the problem is resolved before the engineering is done. Please, don't anyone be offended but there is something to be said for bailing wire and chewing gum.

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

That Carol is engaged to an engineer explains SO VERY MUCH!

I agree with her sentiments here 100%. Having passed three days since your original post, time is actually becoming an issue. In my last post I wished you good luck but now I'm wishing all of the luck for the poor, suffering keiki which should, by all reason, be set into it's new home by now and into recovery.

Quit thinking and act.

Understood. I'll go ahead to repot the keiki. I'll post an update whenever I can!

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Married...34 years...

My mother has, so far, been married to an engineer for 67 years! I often wonder why she hasn't yet killed him....

[GoldStar135]

Okay, so I potted the keiki in some bark a few days ago-
First I took a 3oz plastic cup and cut some drainage holes. Afterwards I burned some holes on the sides. After doing that I dug around in the bag of Better Gro mix and found some small bark pieces around 1-2 cm (also added similarly sized perlite and charcoal from the bag). I soaked the mix overnight, then filled in the cup. After potting the keiki in, I loosely arranged some sphagnum around the top of the bark and around the base of the keiki. The presoaked bark began drying near the top already within one day of the potting.
As for the keiki, it has at least three roots that green up when watered. There's no new sign of root growth (there might be some nubbin on the base, but it's probably just my mind wanting to see something) as of now. It's in the same windowsill as before. I plan to spray the top of the bark and the moss with some distilled water around once a day.