2 orchids/2 problems

[knowlegeisforcutting]

I have 2 orchids, a phalaenopsis and a dendrobium. The phal. had soft rotting roots which I cut off and now 3 stumpy green healthy roots remain. I repotted in an orchid potting mix w/ bark several months ago and the roots are still not showing through. They don't really seem to be growing at all. There is however, a new leaf coming out. Right now it is a little reddish. Is that normal? Should I be worried about roots? What about the fact that it has no stem?

The den. was potted in (on?) what looks like a dried up piece of tree stump and in bloom when I bought it (from the grocery store, I must admit). Now all the flowers have dropped and the long stem they were on has turned yellow, shriveled up, and gotten hard and brown. What do I do with it? The leaves and cane-like stalks seem fine. Is the orchid okay?

I hope my questions aren't too naive and apologize if they've already been answered elsewhere.

[jay]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

A couple of additional questions to start.
Where are you located? We are from all over the world with very different growing conditions, so this will change the advise given. If you could change it in your profile it will help in the future as well.
Where are the orchids located? Window? Outside? Greenhouse? What conditions?

The red on color on the leaves of the Phal generally means that it is approaching the upper limit of light acceptable. This is not bad, as you are giving it all the light it can use. If it is starting a new leaf, then the roots will probably start growing as well now. Try the skewer method of watering to make sure they are getting enough water without too much water.

As for the Dendrobium. When the flowers are gone and the spike is brown, cut it down. Leave canes that lose leaves on the plant though since they will store food and water for the rest of the plant.

If you have any pictures it will help as well. Keep in mind that this is general advise and may need to be adjusted for your climate.

[BunnytheOrchid]

Perhaps the phal is growing roots under the bark that aren't obviously visible? Growing a new leaf though is a positive sign; it means its trying to thrive. The color should not be a problem. Probably a sign of the color the phal has on its blooms (like purple or red flowers). No stem/spike is ok; the phalaenopsis will probably grow roots and leaves before blooming because it will need more roots to thrive.

As for the den, I myself do not have any dens currently, but sounds like it is not dying. I know its disappointing to lose blooms, but as long as the leaves or plant are not yellowing, the blooms can drop without the plant dying. Possibly bud blast, or simply unhealthy coming from a grocery store (hate to be cynical, but it happens). Sounds like you're headed in the right direction. Good luck!

[lissie0113]

i must say that i appreciate your 'naive' questions because i myself am brand new at this, and had a similar situation. i have a few orchids that i seem to keep growing, but not blooming, and one of those is a den that a friend gave me for my birthday last september, which was potted on a solid piece of bark. it was beautiful and in bloom when she gave it to me, but im pretty sure it was a grocery store plant or something similar she just picked up. so almost a year later, when it had not really grown at all, i decided to repot it and move it outside ( i live in tampa, florida, where it is VERY humid out this time of year) i repotted it in a hanging basket with an orchid potting mix, and it has been growing like crazy ever since! i dont have a flower spike yet, but i have two new leaves and a whole mess of new roots! anyways.... point to my long story is i think your grocery store plant will be fine like mine, and i appreciate everyones questions bc i learn from all of them, since i am so new too! GOOD LUCK! ;o)

[kmarch]

As the forum slogan suggests there's no question too 'naive' or too simple to ask. If you look at all of the world's great orchid growers and experts, those with decades of experience and vast knowledge, all of them had to learn the fundamentals and ask the basic questions at some point. So jump right in and start learning!