A Challenging Dendrobium

[BGGraham1]

Hi all! I hope everyone is up for a little challenge tonight.

Here is my dilemma:

A friend sent me this Dendrobium Petite Bouquet - it is neither petite, nor a bouquet. In fact, it looks like antlers right now. All of the leaves are off, and the canes are mushy in certain areas.

The first pics show the canes as a whole:


largest cane

smaller cane


In these photos, I have my fingers showing where the mushy part of the canes are. First is the large cane


small cane


I have read a lot of stuff over the past couple of weeks about how to get a dendrobium to throw a keiki, and I am not sure which way to go. I think it was digitalgate that mentioned hanging the canes upside down. I have also read to withhold water, put it in the dark, put it out in the cold, etc. One method that I was thinking about was to cut the canes and lay them on a bed of moist sphag. I've got 2 canes to work with, with approximately 1 1/2 feet of viable green cane. Unfortunately, the mush is at the bottom.

So, what do you think? This is quite a challenge for a newbie, isn't it? I'm up for it, but am looking for a little input.

[orchids4me]

Just give it good culture and maybe (like some of the bare ones I inherited) will throw new growths from the base. Its possible you will get keiki's also. I had a soft cain (my first one) just threw a keiki looks a lot like yours there actually. And I had another one( hard cane) that finally dropped it last leaf and I put it out side because it didn't even get a new growth... Guess what lol now its getting one . Patience, that's all ....
Good luck!

[BGGraham1]

Originally Posted by orchids4me

Just give it good culture and maybe (like some of the bare ones I inherited) will throw new growths from the base. Its possible you will get keiki's also. I had a soft cain (my first one) just threw a keiki looks a lot like yours there actually. And I had another one( hard cane) that finally dropped it last leaf and I put it out side because it didn't even get a new growth... Guess what lol now its getting one . Patience, that's all ....
Good luck!

So, even with the mushy parts at the bottom I don't need to do any cutting??

[greg_s]

I just ran into this same thing with my new rescue den. It was feeling a little mushy but was not gooey or blackening (normal color, felt like a raisen). I let it go for a little while and the softer spot hardened out. It just might be closing shop on an older cane. Unless it is seriously funky I would give it a week or two and see what it does.

[Fishmom]

I'm jumping on the seaweed bandwagon here, as I've seen a lot of roots starting since I started adding the stuff to my fert. mix. Does it have any viable roots? If so, I'd leave it in medium and give it the best culture possible, including maybe a mini-greenhouse made out of a plastic bag to up the humidity. If not, I'd remove it from the medium and keep it in a humid environment after a good soaking in a seaweed solution. You still have some green, so it's not too late, with a little luck. It will be a long haul though; are you patient?

[BGGraham1]

Originally Posted by Fishmom

I'm jumping on the seaweed bandwagon here, as I've seen a lot of roots starting since I started adding the stuff to my fert. mix. Does it have any viable roots? If so, I'd leave it in medium and give it the best culture possible, including maybe a mini-greenhouse made out of a plastic bag to up the humidity. If not, I'd remove it from the medium and keep it in a humid environment after a good soaking in a seaweed solution. You still have some green, so it's not too late, with a little luck. It will be a long haul though; are you patient?

Nope...no viable roots. The only plastic bag I think would fit over this beast would be a dry cleaners bag. Would that be to thin to use? I've got the seaweed extract, and have been giving this one little sips since there are no roots to take anything up.

I will try your second option, but I am worried about leaving the mushy parts on. Could they travel up and damage the rest of the cane?

And yes, I am learning to be patient.

[katrina]

Originally Posted by BGGraham1

In fact, it looks like antlers right now.

Sorry...couldn't help myself.

Definitely don't put it in the dark or cold. Other than that, I'm absolutely no help here.

[BGGraham1]

Originally Posted by katrina

Sorry...couldn't help myself.

I know, right? It does, though, doesn't it?

[katrina]

Originally Posted by BGGraham1

I know, right? It does, though, doesn't it?

That's a good descriptor...for sure. Good luck w/it!

[Orchidementia]

Originally Posted by katrina

Sorry...couldn't help myself.

Definitely don't put it in the dark or cold. Other than that, I'm absolutely no help here.

If cold and dark were good for it, it'd still be living with me! Or even "living."

[orchids4me]

I had mine out when it was warmer when the temps dropped a bit is when they started sprouting new caine and other a keiki. I have moved them in now that's its getting much colder. I bring them in when the temps are between 55 to 50 in that area farenheit. So they have been in for a bit now since we are in the 40'4 and 30's these days. Hope that helps. Oh we also get high wind so chill factor is nuts here.

[Fishmom]

Originally Posted by BGGraham1

Nope...no viable roots. The only plastic bag I think would fit over this beast would be a dry cleaners bag. Would that be to thin to use? I've got the seaweed extract, and have been giving this one little sips since there are no roots to take anything up.

I will try your second option, but I am worried about leaving the mushy parts on. Could they travel up and damage the rest of the cane?

I don't think the thickness of the bag is relevant, but you will need to create a frame so that the thin plastic doesn't drape itself around the canes. Remember to allow fresh air regularly. Regarding the mushy parts, why don't you try circling the area with a Sharpie? That way you can monitor carefully and see if the badness is advancing. If it spreads, CUT!