I have a small dendrobium nobile that I have repotted. I trimmed some of
the old roots and two new stalks are growing nicely. The three original
stalks have lost their leaves and seem to be dead or dormant. Should I trim
the old stalks and, if so, how close to the base. Thanks for any help

Leave them there until the day comes that they are dry and truly
dead. Until then, they store food and water to help support the
newer growth. Also, most of the flowers may come from those old
stalks. I'm sure you are hoping for flowers. ;-)

Steve


Hooter wrote:

I have a small dendrobium nobile that I have repotted. I trimmed some of
the old roots and two new stalks are growing nicely. The three original
stalks have lost their leaves and seem to be dead or dormant. Should I trim
the old stalks and, if so, how close to the base. Thanks for any help

On Sun, 18 Jul 2004 11:16:27 -0400, Steve
wrote:

Leave them there until the day comes that they are dry and truly
dead. Until then, they store food and water to help support the
newer growth. Also, most of the flowers may come from those old
stalks. I'm sure you are hoping for flowers. ;-)

Steve


Since you said they seem dead or dormant - I will emphasis what
Steve said " they are dry and truly dead." He is talking about
when the Dendrobium cane turns yellow, is shriveled up and often
bends suddenly in half (it has collapsed on itself). The old
canes can look very "old" and still be working hard. Don't prune
roots from these canes either. These canes are the water/food
storage of the plant.

Dendrobium's like to be 'pot bound or root bound' which ever way
you look at it. They want NO extra space in the pot. I hope
your repotting was not to a larger pot.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php

Thanks Steve and Susan for your prompt response. I wondered about trimming
the roots but saw that advice somewhere else on the web and I did put it in
a slightly larger pot. I will leave it where it is now for the long hall.
I am just now learning a little about care and growing of orchids.

Hooter

"Susan Erickson" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 18 Jul 2004 11:16:27 -0400, Steve
wrote:

Leave them there until the day comes that they are dry and truly
dead. Until then, they store food and water to help support the
newer growth. Also, most of the flowers may come from those old
stalks. I'm sure you are hoping for flowers. ;-)

Steve


Since you said they seem dead or dormant - I will emphasis what
Steve said " they are dry and truly dead." He is talking about
when the Dendrobium cane turns yellow, is shriveled up and often
bends suddenly in half (it has collapsed on itself). The old
canes can look very "old" and still be working hard. Don't prune
roots from these canes either. These canes are the water/food
storage of the plant.

Dendrobium's like to be 'pot bound or root bound' which ever way
you look at it. They want NO extra space in the pot. I hope
your repotting was not to a larger pot.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php

Leave them there until the day comes that they are dry and truly
dead. Until then, they store food and water to help support the
newer growth. Also, most of the flowers may come from those old
stalks. I'm sure you are hoping for flowers. ;-)

Steve


Hooter wrote:

I have a small dendrobium nobile that I have repotted. I trimmed some of
the old roots and two new stalks are growing nicely. The three original
stalks have lost their leaves and seem to be dead or dormant. Should I trim
the old stalks and, if so, how close to the base. Thanks for any help