Need help with a Dendrobium ( won't grow roots )
 

Hi all

I kinda know my way around with phals but with dems its a different story. I got this one from a friend.

It was on sphagnum moss it grew some roots from the ones it already got but then it got stuck.

I should put it in bark? I read dems likes to get dry fast.

My weather is humid, tropical RH 50% - 86%

Anyway any advice would be appreciate.

Dendrobium (with "n" not "m")... With your high humidity and rainfall , bark may well be a better choice. Just do add a stake so that the plant is held firmly in place while the new roots are small - if it wobbles, the new root tips can get damaged, which would prevent further growth.

Thank you!

Sorry for the bad typo. Already fixed it.

Thanks for the correction! When someone does a search on a topic, that's really important to help them find what they're looking for.

You could put in in bark. Or you could also put it in scoria rock pieces (eg. 10 to 15 mm diameter pieces). That dendrobium is expected to grow very nicely in scoria.

Orchid roots generally have no issues when they remain wet most of the time, or all of the time. The main thing is to understand what needs to be done to prevent certain issues associated with remaining wet or moist all of the time.

The occasional drying out (every once in a while) can help to cut down on water related issues (or even eliminating those issues) - like unwanted things growing in the wet regions - algae, certain kinds of unwanted bacteria and fungus etc. Otherwise, some people may use chemical treatments - or whatever method they have to keep things under control.

With scoria - I have dendrobiums sitting in the same pots for 30+ years --- no repotting ever done, watered with lawn sprinkler daily, growing outdoors, no manual fertilisation or any treatments ever applied. They grow excellently.

Some people just attach their dendrobium to the side of some suitable tree in the shade. And - provided conditions allow for it, those plants can just grow naturally without human intervention too - just as they do in nature. But the condition has to be suitable of course. Good air circulation for the whole plant (leaves and roots - sustained air/oxygen movement) is good for the plants.

I see. scoria looks like lava rock, correct me if im wrong.

Every day i learn something new in this forum.

Thanks!

You are right. Scoria is lava rock. Usually, local sources and growers can recommend places to get suitable lava rock for orchids. Particular sorts that are known to be good for orchid growing -- - ie. no harmful salt levels etc.

I'm going to try just lava rock on this one. Just to try something different for a change.

Thanks!

Most welcome. I think you will like growing with lava rock a lot. It's really very good in tropical regions.

I had some lava rock around from a potting mix (dendrobium potting mix from better gro (which retain a lot of moisture) ).

This is the outcome.

Thanks!