New member and new to Orchids..

[Eddy]

Hello All , I am new to Orchids and have lost 5 or 6 Orchids over the past few years and would like to save the couple I now have, so I am very interested in learning about Orchids. I currently have a Dendrobium but do not know which one or what type may be a better way to say it. The Dendrobium has three canes and all leaves have fallen off except one leave on the tallest cane. There is a green (bud?) growing from the base of the tallest also. The second tallest has a bud about half way up that is about 1 inch long and looks like it is growing roots also. The third cane looks like it is dying or dead not sure. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You
Eddy

[berkeleysgr8]

It sounds like you have a Nobile type Dendrobium and the new green growths are keikis. If you can post photos, that would help the Geek community with identifying what's going on. Welcome to the board Eddy!

[kid a]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I would be lying if I told you I had lost any plants, it helps with the learning process. Anyways, I don't know much about dend.s. But there are plenty of people who who can give you great advice.

[solay]

Welcome and nice to meet you. I've killed my share of orchids too. I've learned that it is natural from certain Dens. to lose their leaves. I think I killed one once by over watering it thinking it was drying up or something. Please post a picture of your plant so you can get more advice.

[Eddy]

Thanks for the help. I am posting pics now. I guess I've posted same original message on two different (threads?) sorry I am new to this message boards and posting. Some of you have asked for pics to better help me, so here they are. Thanks again for the help.

[articuno75]

Hi and welcome to the forum

Your first pic is that of a keiki. You can pic that off roots and all and transplant that. It will grow into a whole new plant. I don't know much about raising keikis, but others here do.

The second pic is a growth of a new cane. Is that the can that is "dying"?

It looks like you have a Phal type Den. They lose their leaves naturally and look "dead". What is your care schedule for this plant? ie watering, lighting, etc...

Phal type dens don't have a dormancy period and require a regular watering and fertilizer schedule. You can check the culture sheet for Dendrobiums at the AOS website or here on the forum. I hope this helps.

[jay]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

I am sorry, but I don't know much about Dendrobiums. There are a lot of people here that do, so stick around and you will be sure to get a good answer.

[Eddy]

Thank you for all your support so far. I have been doing a lot of reading of other posts, a little overwhelming.....Can anyone give any advice as to a good starter Orchid?

[articuno75]

I think Oncidiums and Oncidium Alliance are good for newbies They grow fast and some are very thirsty drinking plants. You can literally neglect and ignore these plants and they do great.

Here are pics of my two Alcra Pacific Nova 'Butter Buds'. I water them twice a week and right now both are putting out new growths and roots. (REALLY BIG GRIN HERE)

[fred]

welcome to the forum Eddy

articuno75 have given you some good advice there.
the only thing I can add is with your third pic the 2 short dead pieces are old flower spikes that have been cut off

with your first pic you can remove the keiki very gently and pot the keiki on up into a pot.
Just be very careful not to damage any of the young roots.

Edit] In my opinion as you are new to orchids I would advise you to let the keiki grow some more before you do remove it from the mother plant.

[berkeleysgr8]

I agree that it looks like you have a Phalaenopsis type Dendrobium (because the flower spike grew from the very top of the cane, rather than having flowers down the length of the cane). Wait until your keiki is bigger before planting it on it's own- you can also choose to just leave it on the mother plant indefinitely. You should find that the new growths grow rapidly within the next few months.