I can't seem to identify this orchid + can I divide it?

[PeteB]

Hello everyone, I'm new here and would like to build a collection of orchids. I have a few already but I was wondering if I could grow some more from other plants that my parents own. I can't seem to find any tutorial on one particular plant, but maybe I'm just not looking hard enough.

I've attached photos of the plant - my guess is that I could take a sterilised knife and cut between the bulb and stem. They look like they may even break off.

Thanks!

[bil]

My suggestion would be to harvest the whole cane and not to detach the keiki. I would carefully wrap a bit of sphag moss around the roots of the keiki and then plant the parent cane horizontal in a shallow pot or container covering it in fine bark with the keiki growing upward.

[Bud]

Research the Dendrobium orchid plant culture. It is quite forgiving and can stand some abuse, but don't push it. Your plant is dehydrated. Water it more. The keikis have long enough roots and you may twist it off from the mother and replant it.

[PeteB]

Thank you for the info - that's really helpful. It's also good to know that about the watering because in all honesty, I usually just leave it (which is probably why it's like that).

[bil]

Originally Posted by Bud

Research the Dendrobium orchid plant culture. It is quite forgiving and can stand some abuse, but don't push it. Your plant is dehydrated. Water it more. The keikis have long enough roots and you may twist it off from the mother and replant it.

I don't knnow how it works for you but I see a huge difference betweeen taking the keiki off and harvestinng the whole cane and planting that with the keii attached.

For me, a keiki on its own is very slow going and takes a long time to get going.

[camille1585]

When Den keikis have that many roots, mine usually take off and grow rather quickly by using the usual twisting off method. Like my Phal keikis, I keep them in warm, humid and not too bright conditions until they're nicely settled into their pots. Though I have to say that I have never tried separating a Den keiki so late in the year.

[Irisha99]

I actually searched for this on YouTube and they give very nice instructions there with tips on how to disinfect and so forth. Type in " removing dendrobium Keiki" in YouTube and you will see. Good luck !

[estación seca]

Hi PeteB, Welcome to the Orchid Board!

There are many different kinds of Dendrobiums, requiring different kinds of care. You have a Dendrobium nobile type. If you search Orchid Board on Den. nobile or just nobile you will find out more about this kind of plant. The search feature is in the top maroon bar.

[PeteB]

Thank you all for the messages - I've had a good read up on Dendrobiums now and I'm pleased to say the keiki has taken well to its new pot - I've seen only positive signs of new green tips growing on the roots and glossy green leaves.

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by PeteB

Thank you all for the messages - I've had a good read up on Dendrobiums now and I'm pleased to say the keiki has taken well to its new pot - I've seen only positive signs of new green tips growing on the roots and glossy green leaves.

Well done! You must post an “after” picture of your new plant. Your original post wondered if you can increase your collection by encouraging your parent’s orchids to grow? Yes you can. With this plant, you have successfully divided a keiki. Many orchids are propogated by division. There is a sub forum in Orchid Board that you should checkout: “Propogation.”