Need ID assistance please

[BGGraham1]

One of my friends gave this to me to see if there was anything I could do with it. It was in a gigantic (12-inch) coffee cup with what appeared to be regular potting soil with some bark mixed in. Most of the bulbs/ canes were completely brown and dry, so I cut them off. This is what was left. I warned her that I was still new at the orchid thing, but would see what I could do.

Note: a guy at a very large orchid nursery td her she would never get it to bloom. She doesn't remember the details regarding why he said that.

[-k-]

"looks like" a Phal type Dendrobium
A medium bark mix with some perlite would probably work well for it, though you will need to anchor it down to stabalize the plant while in recovery.

[zaeem]

It seems to be a Den.growing well please put in bark or coco with somme prelite or charcoal.Good luck!

[Dendian]

I agree - Phal. type Den.

I got two that looked much worse than that in 2009 - the owner was sick for two months away from home in the middle of summer - and they got no water and 100 deg temps. One had one keiki with roots (like you have) and I have nursed it back to where it is now growing new growths. The other one did not survive - it got rot.

It can be done.

Attached are "before" and "After" photos.

[BGGraham1]

Thanks, all. I will research more and see what else this little one will need (besides a much smaller pot! )

One more thing, though. I am currently soaking it in sugar water with a little Superthrive. When I get home tonight I am planning to pot it up in a much smaller pot with my bark, chc and perlite mix. Should I cut off the canes that are brown and shriveled if they don't show any signs of improvement, or should they stay on the plant for stability or nutrition?

Sorry if its a crazy question, but I haven't really considered this plant as one I would grow, let alone rehab.

[koshki]

I like "phal type" dens because they will keep blooming on old canes. Time will tell if this is one, but it sure looks like it wants to keep going! Good luck.

[dounoharm]

i would remove them, they will be home for insects and rot....and wont help the plant at all....gl

[NewGrower]

How can you tell apart new growth vs. a keiki on Dens? It looks to me like its just new growth but someone else said it was a keiki.... Just curious because that is how one of the ones I just got looks but I thought it was just new growth.... Thanks!

[koshki]

Brigitte, I would leave the old canes on for now...unless they are rotting. If this is a den. bigibbum, it will bloom off old canes, and some of them can look pretty, well, old!

Newgrower, I would call these new growths. I think of a keiki as a baby that grows off a spike. But hey! that's just me!

[Dendian]

I called it a keiki because I can see that it is growing off the side of an old cane - and not from the base. Although this plant appears to grow that way on all the new growths.. they all look like they start from about 1" above the old roots??

I would also leave on the old canes that are not totally dry - they still have nutrients to support the plant while it grows new roots. If they get mushy - remove them.

Good Luck!

[BGGraham1]

Thanks all! I did cut the ones that were mushy at the bottom. The ones that are still on there are very, very dry. I'll wait a week or two and see if there is any change, then cut them off if they don't show any signs of life.

[Puddy1]

Good luck Brigitte, looks like there is still some healthy parts. Keep us posted how it goes...

[BGGraham1]

will do!! thanks for all the help, everyone!