I did get some good news as Hurricane Milton blew through Central Florida: I discovered a Keiki (pronounced Kay-Kee) on my dendrobium orchid. A keiki is a new plant sprouting asexually from the parent plant. It typically grows from a still viable cane on the dendrobium.
I wasn’t exactly sure what to do next. This is the first keiki my plant has produced. A little research in my orchid catalogs advised that this new plant can be separated from the host cane when the roots grow about two inches long. I think we’re about halfway there.
My history with dendrobiums is not good. I’ve killed several dendrobium orchids trying to determine their weather and soil preferences. Overwatering and planting in the wrong medium caused rot in one orchid. Like most orchids, they like a moist planting medium but not too wet. They enjoy warm, humid weather but will tolerate a modest fluctuation. They are susceptible to fungus disease on the leaves and planting medium.
Since the baby keiki orchid isn’t established enough to separate from the cane, I’m still trying to determine what medium and pot will help it grow.
Some dendrobiums go into a dormant growth phase in the winter. They like a well-draining fir bark and perlite potting medium. I may not be able to remove it from the parent cane until spring, but I am willing to wait.