Ok, I finally bit the bullet and bought myself an orchid. Actually its a KMart rescue cause $3.50 was all I was willing to pay for a plant that I have no clue about. Don't worry, I understand the logic that it may not make it cause it was so abused, but I'm use to that. I figure if I can get it to make it then I've got all the issues figured out for the next one.
Ok, the tag simply said Dendrobium-- I know that doesn't narrow it down much as far as what kind. It is not in bloom, so I have no clue.
There are 4 canes, two have no leaves at all, one has a few leaves at the top, but most of the cane is bare and the fourth has leaves from about half way up (this one was staked when I bought it). It was potted in what looked like regular potting mix, with a lot of extra perlite in a plastic pot.
I have repotted it into a sterile pot of the same size, using orchid bark (I think Schultz). I soaked the bark before potting and since I had to soak the plant roots to clean off the store medium I have not watered it yet (about 1 week) although I have misted the top of the bark a couple of times. I guess I'd say the bark size is medium (although I've not seen any other size to compair---it is not fine). The pot size is maybe 3-4 inch and all the really fit was a small amount of bark at the bottom and some on the top cause the plants roots seem to take up the rest of the pot. Since these plants can be mounted on a tree, I guess this is ok, but it doesn't seem quite right to me?
?
All four canes appear to have a sheath along them (kind of looks like my lizard ready to shed). I think this is natural?
The two canes that have no leaves, one appears to be shriveled and pinched at the top, the other appears to be as plump as the rest of the cane. Will new leaves grow on these Are the to be cut back to ground level Do I just let them be?
Do I watch for new canes to come up from the pot, is that where new growth will be?
Will the canes with leaves continue to grow and get new leaves?
Should I leave the one cane staked (its maybe 5-6 inches tall) or is it to grow over the side of the pot?
?
There were no roots growing at the top of the pot that I could tell (would look like roots on a spider plant or pothos right)?
? The roots did appear white and in good shape when I washed off all the dirt so I didn't cut anything off.
Right now it is sitting on my kitchen windowsill which faces north but under a florsecent light a few inches above the tallest cane. The rim of the pot sits on the edge of a clear plastic container, there is several inches of space at the bottom of the clear container where I have put water (the water level DOES NOT reach to the bottom of the pot), I figured this would help with humidity. I plan to move the plant to an East window soon, but can watch it better where it is to look for new growth. I would not call the leaf color dark green, but I'm not sure HOW dark to consider it is not getting enough light (the color is about the same as the green of a grape ivy that is in the same window).
??
Ok---As usual, I talk way to much. Any thoughts on how I'm doing so far will be appreciated. Any of the areas above that end with
?? mean I'd like feedback in those area. Thanks so much, and looking forward to adding to my collection if this one works out.
Ok, the tag simply said Dendrobium-- I know that doesn't narrow it down much as far as what kind. It is not in bloom, so I have no clue.
There are 4 canes, two have no leaves at all, one has a few leaves at the top, but most of the cane is bare and the fourth has leaves from about half way up (this one was staked when I bought it). It was potted in what looked like regular potting mix, with a lot of extra perlite in a plastic pot.
I have repotted it into a sterile pot of the same size, using orchid bark (I think Schultz). I soaked the bark before potting and since I had to soak the plant roots to clean off the store medium I have not watered it yet (about 1 week) although I have misted the top of the bark a couple of times. I guess I'd say the bark size is medium (although I've not seen any other size to compair---it is not fine). The pot size is maybe 3-4 inch and all the really fit was a small amount of bark at the bottom and some on the top cause the plants roots seem to take up the rest of the pot. Since these plants can be mounted on a tree, I guess this is ok, but it doesn't seem quite right to me?
All four canes appear to have a sheath along them (kind of looks like my lizard ready to shed). I think this is natural?
The two canes that have no leaves, one appears to be shriveled and pinched at the top, the other appears to be as plump as the rest of the cane. Will new leaves grow on these Are the to be cut back to ground level Do I just let them be?
Do I watch for new canes to come up from the pot, is that where new growth will be?
There were no roots growing at the top of the pot that I could tell (would look like roots on a spider plant or pothos right)?
Right now it is sitting on my kitchen windowsill which faces north but under a florsecent light a few inches above the tallest cane. The rim of the pot sits on the edge of a clear plastic container, there is several inches of space at the bottom of the clear container where I have put water (the water level DOES NOT reach to the bottom of the pot), I figured this would help with humidity. I plan to move the plant to an East window soon, but can watch it better where it is to look for new growth. I would not call the leaf color dark green, but I'm not sure HOW dark to consider it is not getting enough light (the color is about the same as the green of a grape ivy that is in the same window).
Ok---As usual, I talk way to much. Any thoughts on how I'm doing so far will be appreciated. Any of the areas above that end with