maybe i have four new orchids?

[palefaced&pink]

does this avatar look like 5 orchids to you guys?(and gals)? or only one?

[Fabolusus]

Uh... You can't really tell from that pic

[mayres]

It is difficult to tell from that pic but I'm assuming (?) that you are wanting to know if each new cane/growth on a dendrobium orchid is a separate orchid? If this is the case - NO. Dendrobiums continue their growth by sending out a new start/cane from the lateral growth underneath the top of the media line. It is all one plant.

[joan gero]

I agree with Mike (Mayres) -- not only are the various stick-looking-parts not different plants and not new growths... they are a kind of history of the plant and where it's come from... they are the old "new"parts! We can't tell from the picture, but hopefully some of the canes -- the taller ones -- have leaves on them and are the actively growing portion of the plant...

[palefaced&pink]

yes, that does answer my question, and i know, my camera is very close to becoming garbage....

so, once a den gets big enough, can you steal some of the canes and grow another orchid?

[joan gero]

I've never done this, but this forum (which is FULL of great information) has reported that you can cut old canes into sections and lay them out on growing medium and with luck and whatever else you need, you'll get new growth from the old segments. I'm ALMOST ready to try this... but it's important to leave enough old canes to still furnish nutrients to the growing portion of the plant!!! Just cause it doesn't have leaves doesn't mean it isn't critical to the entire plant!

[Tobi]

You can also hope that your plant produces keikis (Baby plants) along the
basal canes. Dendrobiums are notorius for doing this. Once they have
established themselves with roots about 2-3 inches long, you can detach
the keiki from the basal cane and pot it up and you will have another plant.
You can also leave the keiki on the cane and that will spike and bloom as
well.

[jbigio]

Before you decide to divide the plant you should be sure you have enough canes with new growths. When I’ve done it I’ve usually dived it in half and only when the number of canes would justify it; other wise let it grow into a nice size specimen
Joe