Question
Hi Wayne,

Two years ago my sisters and I gave my dad a cane orchid as a gift.  It was purchased from the plant/flower department of a shopping center.
It was in bloom at the time.  But after the blooms were gone, one of the leaves turned black and my dad removed it.  Eventually all the leaves fell off, though they had not turned black.
More recently a lateral shoot has appeared towards the top of the larger of the two canes.
The shoot has grown to about 6" in length and has roots; some as long as 3 inches.
Should the portion of cane containing the shoot be cut off and put in soil?
I see the soil is unlike regular potting soil.  What is it, and where can it be purchased?
Thank you for your help.

Laura

Answer
Thanks for your questions Laura.  The orchid you purchased for your dad is called a dendrobium orchid.  The type you have is deciduous (ie naturally loses its leaves) so the leaf loss is normal.  Dendrobiums of this sort have a rest period when not in growth and watering should be minimal.  Also they do best when tightly potted (ie use the smallest possible pot and anchor the plant in its pot so well that you could lift the pot when you pick up the pot.).

The new plant which developed may be removed where it joins the mother plant which will preserve the roots.  Repot in a standard orchid potting mix which is carried by most garden centers including Lowes, Home Depot, etc.  It comes in hobby bags.  Since these roots are already so long, you should be careful not to damage these new root when potting.  Ideally these new plants should be potted as soon as roots start emerging to minmized root damage during repotting.  I would wet the orchid mix for several hours (ie that portion you will use only) and place the keiki (ie new plant) in a clay pot that will just comfortably accommodate the roots without damaging them.  Then just gently add mix to the pot until the roots are covered.  I would not pack the mix in at this point to avoid root damage.  You may put the new pot by the mother plant pot to provide approximately the same growing conditions for now.

Dendrobium orchids are high light plants and like to be outside during the summer-- initially in a place where they get morning sun only or semishade.  As long as the temp stays above 50 degrees the plant should be fine outdoors.