Operation: Save a Den

[treyes111]

Mission 1: The Rescue

I was out on a little shopping trip to get some things for my aquarium, and it happens that Walmart and Petsmart are in the same plaza. I wanted to see Wally's price on the vacuum I wanted before heading over, so I took a walk thru there first. They are finally making the transition from the holiday stuff back to the garden stuff, and they had a giant cart of plants just sitting there. The larger one caught my eye first, and after a bit of looking about, I saw the smaller one. I then asked the manager that was doing the rearranging about the price of the "beat up plants", hoping to catch a deal. He says buy one, and I'll give you one, but thats the best I can do......

So I know I am in for a a while, and probably a death, if not both. My thinking is that for $10, it would be a good lesson/project to see if I can bring them back to health. Maybe, in plenty of time, I'll get the surprise of an unknown flower. That, and for whatever reason, I felt bad. These are also my first dendrobiums, so what the heck.



And that is Simon checking things out already, but he's not the plant eater. I also wound up getting some fish at the pet shop. My GF is gonna shoot me.

Next step is to get them out of those wrappers and into some new pots, check the roots and clean up the dead spots. After lunch

[Tobi]

All and all, they don't appear to be in bad shape. Checking out the root system would
be a good idea though to see if there is any root rot. I believe both are Phalaenopsis
type Dendrobiums, so they don't need the winter rest that the nobile group do. High
light and good air circulation. Water when almost dry. Good luck!!

[treyes111]

Mission 2: The Repot

After an initial scare, I am very happy with the results. The first plant I unwrapped made my jaw drop. It was packed with wet newspaper! Luckily, the paper was only around the top of the pot, I am guessing to hold moisture? Regardless, the rest, as well as the second plant was lava rock. The roots are in great shape, and were very tight throughout the entire pot. I had 2 round pots I painted a few weeks ago that are maybe an inch larger in size than the the square ones they were in. A good rinse and some more fresh soaked bark mix, and they slid right in. Now its time to make some space on the new table



Oh, and I almost forgot to mention... in the mess of wrapping and paper, each had an ID tag

smaller: D. King Dragon # 6 x Ekapol (bush pansy)

larger: Den. Kurnati x Madame Vipa (AIR 164)

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

The smaller one looks over potted. Fortunately, the clay will help it to dry fast. Dens are really tough, so they will no doubt do well, even if they were mistreated.

[treyes111]

Originally Posted by Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

The smaller one looks over potted. Fortunately, the clay will help it to dry fast. Dens are really tough, so they will no doubt do well, even if they were mistreated.

would you recommend I look for a smaller pot than? I read they like the roots tight, but it was really packed in the old pot. It went from a 3 inch square pot into a 4 inch round one (which much be the bottom measurement 'cause the opening on top is closer to 5 1/2). It didn't leave too much room, but if it would be better for the plant, I'll do what I can

[rodbender]

They look good and should come back nicely, but the small one would probably do much better in a smaller pot

[phalaephila]

Looking through OrchidWiz, your larger den has been registered:

Den. Kurniati (note spelling) x Den. Madame Vipa = Den. Malia Akana

Good luck, and enjoy your new plants,

jeanne

[arleneg]

treyes111,

For a Walmart buy, those look pretty good. I agree with the others. The smaller Den. looks a bit overpotted. However, as Cynthia pointed out, the clay pot should help the bark dry out.

Keep us posted. When they bloom, please post some pics.

[treyes111]

thanks everyone

looks like another little shopping trip is on the horizion

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

If you just filled around, you can probably move to a smaller pot. You can warp the old potting mix a bit to bring the corners in a bit. Also, pushing the square ball into a smaller round pot will reshape the root ball.

[exasperatus2002]

You made out on that deal as long as the roots are good. You'll see new canes popping up in no time once they get some tlc.

[treyes111]

Mission 3: The Re:Repot

I was out again this morning and grabbed a smaller clay pot. I transfered it into the smaller pot, then put the smaller into the larger and placed some larger pieces of bark around the lip to kinda hide the new pot, more for looks than anything else.

in progress:



finished on the shelf:

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Much better.

[rodbender]

Looks good

[treyes111]

thanks everyone





<<<side note:: I moved the pics in my photobucket around and now the link to the first pic is broken, but I can't edit the post. If an admin or mod can change it for me, its the same file name, but in treyes111/orchids/*.jpeg, instead of treyes111/*.jpg. Oh, and you can go ahead and delete this note too if you can change it Thanks>>>>

I can edit your post, but I will need the full address for the pics including the file name, as I can't get the file names from any place while editing. Cynthia

[patticake]

I know right where you got them! The plaza near Crossgates Mall I'm about 15 minutes north of you! There are a bunch of Lowe's and Home Depot's in the capital district. I love checking them out for goodies, too! Good luck to you!

[treyes111]

Mission 4: The First Growth

The larger of the two has been sitting strong. Not much has changed since the initial 3 leaves fell off in the store.

The smaller of the two did as I expected. There were a few leaves that had already yellowed before bringing it home, and after a few days, they dropped.

But, to my surprise, after being away for the weekend, I can home to a new little growth on the stalk of the smaller plant. As of now, I am guessing its a new leaf, but overall, its a sign that I hope I'm doing something right