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What orchid is this?

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by slobodan, Dec 18, 2016.

  1. Dec 18, 2016 #1
    slobodan

    slobodan New Member

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    Hi everyone, just wondering if anyone can help me first identify this orchid and second help me with what's going on with it as it's starting to brown from roots... it's been 2 years with us and it's been growing but never flowered. I bought it at a show but it didn't have tag..

    Thanks..
     

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  2. Dec 18, 2016 #2
    slobodan

    slobodan New Member

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    I just took it out of planter and this is how roots look like, or lack of roots
     

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  3. Dec 18, 2016 #3
    slobodan

    slobodan New Member

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    And this is part of medium that grower had it in when I bought it..
     

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  4. Dec 18, 2016 #4
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Looks like a Trichoglottis. It is hard to judge the size of the plant in the photo but it has the general appearance of T. brachiata (syn. atropurpurea, also philippinensis). If that is what it is they like very bright light and warm temperatures much like a Vanda.

    Is the brown at the base wet and/or soft? If it is you will want to cut the bottom off to save the plant. I suggest cutting between the 3rd and 4th leaf from the bottom or even higher to get ahead of the infection. Treat the cut with cinnamon.

    I grow Trichoglottis mounted so hopefully someone can give you suggestions on how to plant or root the base of the cutting. I frequently do top cuttings of my plant and then mount on tree fern. They do very well and don't suffer much of a setback.
     
  5. Dec 18, 2016 #5
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Here is mine.
    In your second photo the brown looks dry and the roots look dry and crisp like it is not getting enough water. How are you watering the plant? Just guessing ... are you misting the air roots and not watering the pot? The top looks really healthy.
     
  6. Dec 19, 2016 #6
    slobodan

    slobodan New Member

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    Hi Kelly,
    Thank you for your response and suggestions. Yes, bottom is brown and dry/crisp. it looks like it's not getting enough water even though I water my orchids at least once a week, Yes, I do mist all my orchids and make sure that these air roots have water on them. Since this brown is dry and crisp should I still cut the bottom off as you suggested?
    If I cut the bottom off, how do I plant it again? Do I just lay it down on top of medium and keep it wet?
    Thanks again..
     
  7. Dec 19, 2016 #7
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I think the potted part was just not getting enough water and started dying. IF the base is not rotted I suggest you determine where the live part starts then remove all of the dead part below it. Repot into a very coarse medium like medium bark chips or even crushed granite. If any of the lower shriveled roots are alive get them down in the medium. Water it more frequently than you have been. Hopefully someone that grows it potted can give you more potting information.

    For this plant to bloom it will need bright light ... much more than a typical house plant.

    I will be away from my computer for a few days so I hope you hear from some others. Good luck.
     
  8. Dec 20, 2016 #8
    Roberta

    Roberta Active Member

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    I have had good luck propagating Trichoglottis brachiata from a cutting, which looked a lot like this (lots of aerial roots). The trick is to attach it to a stake (or a slab of tree fern is even better) with some of the aerial roots down in the bark media. If you can use a slab of tree fern, ,new roots will grab on to it. Most of the roots are quite happy in the air as long as they get watered. But the few that go down into the pot help the plant get established, and some will grow there too. Those brown roots are pretty dead but still can help to hold the plant in place. Does not need as much light as a Vanda, but the more that you can give it indoors, the better.
     
  9. Dec 20, 2016 #9
    slobodan

    slobodan New Member

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    Thank you guys for pointers..
    Bottom part if far from rotten, yes it's brown but even when I tried to brake it off it would not give so I'm assuming it's still alive but brown.
    I'm thinking that I don't cut bottom off, not yet.
    I will transplant it into/on top of medium bark media and water it regularly, as needed of course and let's see how does that do. I do have planted aquariums as well so I moved it under one of lights which should give it more than enough light and it's pretty much full sun spectrum.
    I would love to be able to hang it, as you have suggested, but this is kind of hard to do indoors, in the house.
    How does that sound?