Must save keikis

[ALJ]

I recently posted a thread regarding my nobile Denbrobium. She is rotting from the base of her canes. I took her back to the supplier, Waldor Orchids in NJ. I was told that I will definately lose her. They were very nice. They gave me a replacement and some sphagnum moss to plant the keikis. I was told to wait until roots had grown two to three inches before repotting. There are seven keikis that are about 5 inches long with leaves. Five of them do not have roots. The cane they are attached to is getting mushier and is beginning to bend over. I'm afraid they won't grow roots before momma cane dies. I'm considering rooting hormone (like KLN) to get the rootless keikis started. My question is, what environment should the keikis be in as they grow roots? If I use KLN should the keikis be treated differently? I've read about this but I'm not really sure what direction to go in. Should they be placed in a sphag and bag environment? Or should I pot them with the KLN and sphagnum? Should they get bright light like momma or low light? How should I water them?

[LouisW]

Im no expert but I think I would sphag and bag and leave in dim light so that the plant can focus on root growth. If you take the keiki off before it has roots I may be difficult (or at least take a long time) to get them to root. I might use some superthrive or some rooting hormone that you have. The humidity in the sphag and bag environment is good for starting.

[willow joseph]

Does this also apply to Phaleanopsis as well? I have many little clusters of leaves on the canes but no roots in sight. Do they propogate the same way as Dendrodium? How long will it take to get roots - it has been several months and the leaves are multiplying and getting longer.

[Aleksa]

Rot on nobile dens is the problem. My advice would be to cut the rotting part of the cane in order to stop spreading of rot. And don't keep the cane in moss, it will rot more quickly... Jus keep it in a light place and mist it frequently!

[mayres]

Phal keikis with no roots makes me wonder about humidity. What is yours like? If you don't already I would consider putting your plant on a tray of rocks with water underneath. From the time the first leaves appeared it should normally be no more than a couple months until you have some root activity on them....

[wolfie]

I have a kiki with dry roots. It has leaves though. Do you just cut the little thing off below the root and plant it? I'm very new at this, and probably will ask the dumbest questions....sorry.

[ALJ]

You're not the only one asking dumb questions. I'm full of 'em. The keikis that I have with roots are currently wrapped in moist sphag. When the roots and cane get longer, I'll pot them. If the keiki isn't ready to be removed (short roots), I guess you can mist the roots to keep them moist until they're long enough and the keiki can be removed and potted.

[ALJ]

mayres,

I currently have a tray with pebbles underneath all of my orchids, however I don't think its working very well for my other dendrobium. It too is growing keikis. I always though my apartment was humid but its actually 30% humid. Ideally I want to move her into the bathroom but there isn't much light coming through the window. Would it be weird to replace my bathroom lights, which are above my mirror, with plant light bulbs? That way she'll get humidity and better light.

I can't believe it - the orchids are taking over!

[wolfie]

You should be in my house....... Between my plants and orchids, I've got my scroll saw set up in the living room. I've got a castle in the living room, and several roomboxes of miniatures, porcelain dolls, and a tomato grow house where we are attempting hydroponiic tomatoes/cukes and peppers..... We have two humidifiers set up in there as well....and we have two cats and a big dog. The house is one gigantic craft room! ARGH!!!!!! But we love it here.......

[ALJ]

I am still waiting for my keikis to grow roots. I went ahead and wrapped them in sphagnum soaked in KLN. I checked on them ten days later and noticed three or four lumps on each which I believe is good. Now that its the end of June, I haven't seen a root emerge from any of the five keikis plucked prematurely from its momma. I have noticed the lumps are darkening. Am I being impatient or should I try something else to get them going.

[ALJ]

A few months ago I plucked several keikis from a dying nobile dendrobium NOID. They have been well. I grow them indoors with cfl lights. Recently I noticed that as the new leaves open they are wrinkly. From what I read that is due to a lack of bright light and I will add more light. The thing that really concerns me is I see a small split along the center of several leaves. I have also noticed a thin white spot on one leaf that can be seen from the underside as well. (1st picture) Is it possible that insects have invaded? If so, what kind would create this damage and how do I get rid of them?

If it is not an insect, what steps do I take to correct the problem?

[Orchidementia]

I have a nobile-type den I grow outside, and a few of its leaves have a ding or two. Yours looks okay from the pictures, and if all goes well, both of ours should be losing all their leaves within the next month.

Have you treated it with basic insecticidal soap (1 part rubbing alcohol, 3 parts water, tablespoon or so of dishwashing soap)? If not, try washing top and bottom of the leaves with that, and soak the pot in it for 1/2 hour or so (then flush out with plain water) in case there's bugs in the pot. If there are no bugs - won't hurt anything; if there are, should zap 'em.

My experience with mine is that it can take full sun - and it's been over 100 this summer - without harm as long as it gets lots of water while it's growing. It's about time for it to enter its winter rest period, so it's starting to get less water and natually less sun due to the rotation of the earth the tilt of the axis and all that!

Hang around ... someone will come by and give you more better advice! I'm glad to see your keikis made it! They look terrific!

[ALJ]

Thanks for the response. I've been worrying about the rootless ones for months and luckily they've managed to grow. I hope they are just dinged up a bit. I have not tried insecticidal soap but I will try anything that may help. Thanks for the recipie!

[brookn]

Leaf splitting and wavy leaves can happen when the plant is not getting as much water as it needs during active growth.

[ALJ]

You know that could be the culprit. I wasn't home as much as I usually am during the summer months. I would only water them maybe twice a week, or once when I was really busy. So now that the period of active growth has come and gone, should I try to water them more than once a week or should I just continue their fall watering schedule and wait until next year? I'm trying to avoid more keikis if possible.

[Orchidementia]

During active growth, they need to be watered nearly daily (mine got watered at least once a day; more often if it was really hot). Remember, these plants like a lo of sun while they're growing, which can dry them out. They should always be fairly moist while actively growing (just about up to when they start dropping leaves for their winter rest).