Did I kill my Cleopatra-Denorbrium?

[mommymawjudy]

I repotted my Cleopatra-Denorbrium and I sepperated it at the root base, It had 5 canes and each one seemed to have a viable root system. I sepperated it into 2 plants. Did I do right or did I kiil it? Also I have an orchid (unknown name) which lost all folliage. I does not show any new leaf formation but the canes are still green under the white dry outter layer. Is it still alive and will it form new leaves/blooms???

[kmarch]

Cleopatra-Denorbrium??? Do you mean Dendrobium Cleopatra? If it had 5 canes and you divided it into 2 plants that means one plant has 3 canes and the other only 2? These divisions are too small. In this case it was probably not a good idea to divide the plant. Why did you divide it?

With proper culture the small divisions will probably survive, but you've probably set the plants back by dividing them and it may be a few years before the plants get back to blooming size.

Regarding your other plant (unknown name), it is possible it is also a Dendrobium many varieties of which do loose their leaves. We can't be sure if your plant is doing somethign normal or dying though until we know for sure what kind it is. Can you post a picture of it?

[mommymawjudy]

Thanks for the info. As of now, I don't have a digital cam nor web cam. I am hoping to get one soon and then I wiil post a pic. As for the terminology for the names, I will probly mix them up alot. Again, Thank you for the info on both of my questions.

[fred]

I agree with kmarch
I guess the question still remains what made you divide the Den ?

you have set the plant back with doing that

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I have found that Dens are not that critical as Catts when it comes to the number of canes/bulbs. Two canes, if fully mature will do very well. Did both pieces have a recent growth on them? That is sort of important. If only one had a new growth, which was it, the 2 bulb piece, or the 3 bulb piece. If the 3 bulb piece had the new growth, I am quite sure you have a very respectable plant for future blooming. The 2 bulb piece may produce a full sized growth or one very close (if it had roots), and especially if it had a recent growth, and will probably bloom next year. Now this is my experience for the warm Phal type Dens, and it may be a different for the Nobiles or other Den species.