| I would never take a top cutting if there would not already be roots on the upper portion. The only place where such a thing may work is in a climate of near 100% humidity all the time. Singapore? Maybe.
I took a top cutting off a Rhychostylus gigantea that had a tall top with roots, and two keikies near the base of good size. From this I got a top cutting that I kept, a keiki of fair size that was separated, and the base was left with the smaller keiki as the new plant using the old roots. It took me about 3 or 4 years for the top cutting to reach mature size. Fortunately, they bloom small, so it was a couple of years until it bloomed again. It has 2 good sized spikes developing on it now. I am about to take a top cutting on my Aerides houlletiana soon, as it has grown quite tall since I moved it to a low light situation, and a recent bout with rust has caused the loss of the lower third of the leaves. In a few days, when I have time, I'll take a picture of the plant to show what I think is a top cutting candidate.
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Cynthia
Prescott Orchid Society  |