Am I doing it right?

[WIB]

Is this the proper way to introduce myself?

I live in Somerville, Massachusetts, which is not the best place to get orchids to rebloom. I started about 8 or 9 years ago as a chipper and haven't quite reached mainline status yet. I have only about 30 plants right now, most of the healthy. I seem to do best with Paphs, but I have a Psychopsis papilio with a spike threatening to be a yard long, but no sign of a bud yet.

My orchids go to summer camp on a northeast-facing porch where I can pretty well adjust the amount of light they get. They have just come in to overwinter in a small south-facing room.

I'm baffled by a Dendrobium Mao Gold that I was given. When I repotted it late last summer, it broke into two plants, which I potted up separately. It is clearly deciduous and still has green canes, but nary a leaf nor sign of a bud has appeared after its being out all summer. One keiki has appeared, however, with root less than an inch long. Advice gratefully taken.

Bill Bennett

[jay]

WIB

Welcome to the forum. There are a lot of really knowledgeable people on this site. Do you have any pictures of your orchids.

Also, on a side note, you might want to update your profile to show your location so you don't have to state it all the time. There are so many people here from so many places that if you have a question about culture they will probably ask where you live because this can determine the outcome of advise.

Hope you enjoy your stay here.

jay

[pikevi]

Welcome to the forum WIB.

I have a few Dendrobiums but they are not doing that well. Some are just sitting there (for months) without any signs of new growth.

I am sure someone will help you soon.

[Tess1]

Hi, if your orchid is an Dendrobium then it just has lost it leaves, they will not grow again on those stems. Dendrobiums are not decidious, they are evergreen. You may get new growth from the base of the plant so leave those stems while they are green. The keiki may be potted up into a small pot when it's roots are about an inch long.

[WIB]

Tess,
Many sources do refer to the "nobile" type of dendrobium as deciduous. That's what I thought I was dealing with.
Bill

[tom499]

Splitting a plant at the end of summer could explain some of the problems.

As it stops growing just after then, It will be slow to recover as its just lost half its water and food storage.

It will probably take it some time to get going again, especially if the two plants you have now are small.

Now its coming into dormancy theres nothing you can do but leave them till spring, and try and get some growth then.

You've probably worked it out now but repotting is best done at the start of the growing season, especially when dividing a plant. This gives it maximum time to recover before winter.

[WIB]

I knew that it wasn't a great time to repot, but I got the plant at Trader Joe's, and the medium was pretty sad, so I thought it the lesser of two evils.

[MariahK]

WIB I always repot my new ones especially if they come from some where like T. J.'s Mine have all thrived. I agree it is definatly the lesser of two evils. Besides I like to know that all my plants have the same kind of medium and so dry at the same rate. I am one of those who doesn't like Sphag moss in my pots so I have to repot anyways to get it out!

[jbigio]

Some Dendrobium are evergreen and will keep their leave all year others as you correctly stated are deciduous. I have 5 that are growing like weeds and three of them have just started to spike. The others like yours are deciduous and pretty much just sitting there. Most of the Dendrobium that the big box stores are selling are the evergreen type and do well. Keep an eye out for new growths and hop for the best. You will most likely be fine. If you can send pictures that would help