Are these little plants that should be potted

[cmg.env]

I have a Den that after flowering dropped its flowers.....now I have these little (new) mini plants hanging from the existing canes. I hope the pic comes through.

Should I leave them alone or should I "pick" them and pot them up?? There are about 15 of these little guys hanging and sprouting roots.

By the way, I am hoping to get this hanging den to produce longer canes......so maybe it would be wise to leave them....my fear is that if I leave them, they may die off.

Thanks for any help,
Chris

[BillC]

Hi Chris, A dendrobium orchid is one which is likely to produce a keiki (baby plant) from a bud on the stem. Once roots have formed, this new plant may be removed by carefully cutting between the new plant and the stem on which it formed, using a sharp, sterile knife. The roots on the keiki will be brittle, so be very careful not to injure them. The old stem on which the keiki was produced may be declining and may not last many more years but, if you are careful as you cut, you can minimize damage to the stem so it may live longer, perhaps producing other keikis or flowers.

If few roots have formed at the base of the keiki, you can help the root development process by wrapping some sphagnum moss around the stem at the base of the keiki and keeping the sphagnum moist. This will encourage root growth. but I see from your pic. that the roots seem to be ok. In that case, you can remove the new plant and pot it in potting bark or other potting medium made for orchids. Keep this moist, but don't overwater. Be very careful not to damage the roots on the keiki during the potting.

Good luck with the project, Bill

[kmarch]

When the roots are about 2 inches long or so, you could remove them and pot them up like a regular orchid.

[cmg.env]

Thanks for the advise.....new to the hobby and enjoying it.
Chris