Help with Dendrobium aggregatum
 

Hello everyone,

I am having difficulty with my Dendrobium aggregatum. It was my first orchid that I had purchased 3-4 years ago for a terrarium. At first, everything seemed well until it began losing its roots. Right now, 5 pseudobulbs remain, three of which have healthy looking leaves on them. The plant has no root system, which concerns me. I have it mounted on tree fern inside a vivarium, approximately 8 inches below a 6700 K, 9 watt coralife fixture. I would really appreciate help with this plant, as it is by far my favorite.

Daniel

I just recieved a really nice one from Al of Al's Orchid Greenhouse. If no one can help you here, you should write him an email and ask him how he grows his. Good luck!

Welcome to OB!!!!
Remove the plant from the terrarium place it in a paper towel ...if all the roots are gone , then use superthrive(one drop(from a rubber dropper) to a liter of water...spray the root area ...repeat after a week then wait til the new roots appear then put it back inside the terrarium

you can rest the whole plant in a paper towel in a wooden basket or an empty pot... just do this regimen bare root

while your plant is out of the terrarium you must spritz it twice a day or make sure it is dry before you spray it again.

They are semi-deciduous orchids with a true winter rest period.

Nothing to fear. :)

Where can i get superthrive? I am aware they need a winter rest period, but from what i've read, its to promote blooming. The plant has been rootless of a year. I will try the above method once I can find the stuff.

Phillip is right...it must be given winter rest or it wont bloom...(inside a terrarium it was given ample humidity all the time)
if this is the case, do not do the superthrive I suggested...remove it from the terrarium put it in a dark cool place to let it rest bareroot...no water or fertilizer
you will notice after 3 weeks that it will show new roots...then put it back inside the terrarium
if the canes get too much shrivelled, then spray it a bit with water
I thought your plant was dying thats why I suggested superthrive...I would suggest seaweed mix for good roots ...after the winter rest
* but this is strange: my aggregatum(one mounted and one potted) doesn't lose leaves or roots in its winter rest: but then again I am a windowsill grower and not in a terrarium

Just to clarify, I remove the plant, store it in a cool, dark location, but where should I store the plant? In a sealed container or just out in the open?

I am also interested in knowing how I can successfully keep it in a vivarium, meaning lighting, watering, etc.

Thanks.

I think that putting this plant in a terrarium is a mistake. It needs rather coarse medium and a net pot or basket if not mounted, and definitely the winter rest. Bud's suggestion of keeping it bareroot and spritzing for a time sounds good. It still needs good light but not too much heat until it shows some roots. Good luck!

:)