Potting of Keiki 1 and Phal. mommie

     Although Keiki 1 was not necessarily ready to be potted up yet, it needed some source of moisture desperately. I was planning to mount this specific keiki on cork, but I would never be able to keep up with its watering needs to keep it alive. The spike it was growing off of has finally completely dried up.

     After a bit of maturing, I still plan on mounting this plant. For now, lets see where nature takes it.

     Phal "mommie", also in desperate need of water, has finally pushed a root. I also spy yet another leaf ready to poke out of the crown, and it is frustrating the living crap out of me. It has absolutely no energy to waste on a 4th leaf that will just be stunted! (AHHHHH!)
     I took the same approach as the keiki, and just potted it up in hopes of the best. I am really tired of misting, and adjusting, and checking, and disinfecting. Just not worth my time and frustration.

Growth update

     Just a general growth update: Pseudobulbs are growing like crazy!

     L.C. MSxMRS  has put out a tiny new p/b in the back, and one in the front that has sprouted out from nothing to the current size (above) in about 2 days!  The dark, emerald foliage of the cattleya has also become more of a grassy-lime green ever since I installed my makeshift lighting.

     Phal. "Ikea" has also decided to push another leaf from a basal keiki. Nothing too special. The mother plant, which I believe is terminal, is slowly losing its lowermost leaf.

     Finally, D. aggregatum has surprised me with two p/b's, too. The nubbs are both a very dark purple, almost black looking, even though they are well shaded by the older growth. There are many new roots accompanying the p/b's.

New Dend. aggregatum.

    Another 'bag baby' I bought with the addition to my brand new orchid shelving. This is actually my second Dend, but I never introduced the first because of its sickly, uninteresting state. This Dendrobium is a bit different than most; when you think Dend, you think canes. D. aggregatum has stubby pseudobulb-like growths that sustain it. I have read that it is finicky to bloom but can be coaxed by a long winter rest: no water whatsoever, regular strength sun, until the first signs of an inflorescence. The PBs will shrivel a bit but it is a small price to pay when the small, honey-scented sprays of blooms emerge. Pictures online of this Dend are absolutely beautiful.

     My D. aggregatum was (like always with bag babies) potted in heavily decomposed bark. I also always seem to bring small spiders into the house with a purchase of a bag baby; never any other orchid. Nevertheless, I was surprised by the root health. There was a nice handful of freshly grown roots, still with green tips.  I was highly put off by the loads of fertilizer pellets on top of the medium. Repotting was highly necessary, regardless.

     I potted with my usual LECA coconut husk mix back into its old container. I modified the pot by placing extra holes for air and drainage. I am very excited for this plant in my collection and hope to remember about the 'long winter rest' trick for blooming. It is very attractive and healthy, even without blooms.