QuestionQUESTION: I have had the above plant approximately 1 year. I really didn't think I could get it to survive, so haven't really paid much attention to it. Surprisingly tho, it has bloomed beautifully 3 times-so now I am concerned. Since the last blooming, it has begun to grow "roots?" into the air. I have lost 2 leaves over a 2 month period, with no flower spike in sight. I looked in the pot today, and the poor thing is full of roots-was apparently planted in some kind of sphagnum-which is nearly gone. What should I do, and please explain it in layman's terms as I am really not an orchid grower. Since this plant has done so well with so little assistance I hate to let it go.
ANSWER: Hello Cathey,
Congratulations upon having your Dtps. Leopard Prince bloom 3 times. It beginning to grow roots is a good sign, indicating that it is still rather healthy. But it losing 2 leaves within 2 months is a little worrisome. Over the past year, has it grown any new leafs? If it did, did they grow to be as large or larger than the older leafs? If they did, all is goodness but if they ended up being smaller that would indicate that there is a problem that needs your attention such as root lass due to rot. Also, new roots tending to all grow upwards into the air could be another indication that the potting material is no longer good and should be replaced.
If it was potted in sphagnum moss, that could be the cause for roots to rot as moss tends to retain quite a bit of water for a long time although the exposed top may look dry. The roots need to be exposed in cycles of wet to almost dry but if kept constantly wet they will soon die and rot. Rotten roots will be soft and mushy rather than firm when squeezed.
You did not mention where you live but if the season is fall, now is not the best time to repot it, spring is the best time for it. But, if it looks like it is going downhill healthwise, you can try repotting it but keep it in a warm shady location for a month afterwards. During that time, go lightly on the watering to help encourage new roots to grow.
Hope this all made sense. If you have other questions or would like further explanation about the above, write back and I'll try to answer them.
Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.
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QUESTION: Thanks for your reply Jim. I have only lost 4 leaves-each time from the bottom and a new one was formed at the top of the leaf section. All have been the same size and color. I'm in Eastern Tennessee so my orchid is in the house all of the time. I did go ahead and repot prior to receiving your answer. There was absolutely NO potting medium of any kind in the pot. Just some moss around the top of the pot. The pot was totally full of roots that appeared to me to be very healthy with very few exceptions. I put some broken pottery in and then bark and topped it with some moss. I attempted to get the "air" roots under the moss hoping that they would head down toward the bark. I put it back into the same pot-and perhaps since the pot was full of roots-this was a mistake. I only trimmed off the few dried roots that I found-so did not gain much room. but since there was no medium at all-I don't know. This plant has consistently had 4 leaves, and the last time that it bloomed it had 4 blooms. Thanks for your time and knowledge.
Cathey Ashley
Dandridge, TN
AnswerHi Cathey,
That it had lots of good healthy roots is a testament to your good growing and care! Keep up the good work.
It is okay to put it back into the same pot as most orchids bloom best when rootbound. To keep roots looking healthy that you were not able to stuff into the pot, give them a little spritz in the morning. When you are ready to repot it again, try soaking the roots in lukewarm water for about 30 minutes, it may make them a little easier to handle.
Yes, living in Dandridge in eastern Tennessee, it probably is a good idea to keep it indoors. Actually, dtps. are basically indoor orchids just about everywhere except in the tropics.
Keep up the good work!
Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.
