new dend... what is it potted in?

[Mercedes]

Hi y'all,

I went to Publix tonight, and found a HUGE dendrobium, for $10! It looks a little bit beat up (a few damaged leaves and blasted buds), but has a bunch of healthy spikes in bud, and the plant in at least 2 feet tall. It's potted in something totally unfamiliar though, it looks like large (2-3" rectangles) of some sort of bark or maybe coconut husk? Can someone clue me in to what this medium is?

Also, I unpotted to peek at the roots, which look good, but they are totally enmeshed in the medium. I'm guessing that any further repotting (it doesn't need it now) will mean filling out a larger pot with new medium around this core? Those roots aren't going to separate from the medium, as far as I can tell.

[_cor]

Perhaps its a type of coconut fibre?

cor

[pikevi]

Congrats. on that purchase! I think they are coconut husk chips. Perhaps they are much larger than what we usually see. It is a very large orchid! I have not seen any Dens here for less than $40

[tizzycat]

You have a real bargain there, the plant looks nice and healthy, congrats.

[chefatplay]

Congrats, Mercedes. That's what the dens look like in my Publix, too. Right now, they're 12.99 will be going to 9.99 anytime now. I was confused as to what the medium was, too. Just like you, I took a peek and not only is it healthy, but there is no removing the medium in mine, either. How often are you going to water it? Are you going to soak it or pour water over it. I have a feeling it is going to hold water very well.

I am interested in your thoughts on this. Mine is doing very well.

[Nancy]

I have a dendrobium that was bought from the Home Depot for $2.49 out of bloom. It is potted in the same thing, big chucks of cocnut husk or something. It needs repotting. The flowering growth is completely out of the medium and the new growth began above that. It's like the plant is climbing the stairs. It is doing well. I'd just like to get the roots into medium. Has anyone else hd this problem with dendrobiums? I would appreciate any information you all can give me.

[orchid_girl]

Beautiful purchase!!!! Great price!! I guess need to check my Publix stores.

[Mercedes]

Originally Posted by chefatplay

Congrats, Mercedes. That's what the dens look like in my Publix, too. Right now, they're 12.99 will be going to 9.99 anytime now. I was confused as to what the medium was, too. Just like you, I took a peek and not only is it healthy, but there is no removing the medium in mine, either. How often are you going to water it? Are you going to soak it or pour water over it. I have a feeling it is going to hold water very well.

I am interested in your thoughts on this. Mine is doing very well.

Yes, I thought mine was going to be $12.99, and got a nice surprise at the register. I'm not sure about watering; I watered this morning since it was definitely dry; I took it to the kitchen sink and gave it a soaking with the sprayer. I water my other two dends 1-2 times a week, and use the skewer method on them, but they're potted in a fine bark/perlite mix, and in much smaller pots. I don't know if I can stick a skewer in this stuff, I haven't tried yet. I'm thinking the larger pot may need water less often, but this potting medium is pretty open, so I don't know how soon it dries out. Wait and see, I guess.

On this big guy, the rhizome clip keeps the plant clipped to the outer clay pot, so I don't know how that will affect the watering schedule (if it makes a difference).

I'll keep you posted! Let me know how yours is doing!

[Mercedes]

Hmmm... maybe is is coconut husk. The outer surface is smooth and the rest is fibrous. I was able to stick a skewer into a piece of it, so at least watering shouldn't be a mystery.

[chefatplay]

Very interesting, Mercedes. I'm going to play with mine more Sunday. I'll let you know. I will have to check the prices at work. I would like 3 or 4 more. I love the blooms, so colorful and plentiful.

[cupcake]

I use coconut husk on nearly all my mature orchids (just cos it was what I could get at the time) The instructions say to soak it for an hour before you pot up, and I just use the finger method of checking when to water again, or the weight of the pot. I've never had any problems with it, depending on how the mood takes me I either soak the plant for 5 mins or flush it through, Judi

[chefatplay]

These are the five dends I have bought from Publix. I love the colors. (Love my new camera, also!) All of them are securely attached to the chunks of coconut husk.

[sandra]

Nancy, Chef, those are beautiful dends. Nancy, I think that it's some sort of coconut husk.

I'm faced with the same potting dilemma here. Mine definitely has to be repotted after the blooms are gone. I will make no attempt to get all the old medium out....impossible. I plan to soak mine, then break the pot. Whatever falls away, great. The roots are stuck to the rim of the pot now and if they don't loosen off easily, then it all goes in to the new pot.

[Vivienne]

Chef - those are absolutely gorgeous! Nice plants and nice pics too!!

[chefatplay]

Vivienne, thank you so much. Between this thread that Mercedes started and Sandra, I am beginning to learn how to care for Dends. Any suggestions from you?? You seem to have a golden finger also.

Sandra, I wish I knew where you got all of your experience and excellent advice from. I'm jealous.

[flowerchild]

Originally Posted by sandra

Nancy, Chef, those are beautiful dends. Nancy, I think that it's some sort of coconut husk.

I'm faced with the same potting dilemma here. Mine definitely has to be repotted after the blooms are gone. I will make no attempt to get all the old medium out....impossible. I plan to soak mine, then break the pot. Whatever falls away, great. The roots are stuck to the rim of the pot now and if they don't loosen off easily, then it all goes in to the new pot.

Holy Moly that's some dendrobium!!!!!!!

[Vivienne]

Ellen (chef) - sorry, my golden thumb doesn't extend to Dens. I have a handful but they aren't doing anything special for me... yet. Then again, I've only had my handful of Dens for 1 year... and have only managed to get 1 to rebloom for me.

[Mercedes]

Chef, Sandra, those Dens. look awesome!

Mine is opening up new blooms daily. I had to trim a couple of sketchy looking yellow leaves night before last, but I haven't seen any new ones since then, so I thinks it's OK now.

[Mercedesladie]

What gorgeous plants! Whatever they are in we all need to get some!

Mercedesladie

[Nancy]

If I wanted to leave my den in the same medium, How can I right it? It sort of looks top heavy and leaning, so the roots on the new growth are not going into the medium. Is there a way I can straighten it out without pulling at all the roots?

[pikevi]

Beautiful plants, chefatplay and sandra!!

Your Dendrobium is gorgeous, sandra. I will have one like that in about 5-10 years And that, shall we say, is a personal challenge to be realised at any cost

[mbasden]

looks like coconut husk. Congrats on the bargain for such a beautiful plant and you too chef!