Q

Dear Doc:

I see the older cane of my Dendrobiums growing small plants. Can I take them off and plant them?

— DW

A

Dear DW: When you see your older Dendrobium cane growing lots of plantlets (keikis) oftentimes it means the orchid isn’t getting enough light. You can pot these plantlets when they develop roots.

Q

Dear Doc: How do I know when to re-pot my orchids?

— SS

A

Dear SS: Always remember if you oversize your pots when planting — and this goes for most plants – your plants will concentrate on growing roots to full pot before it start to grow upwards. Having said that, you need to re-pot when any of the following occurs:

1. The medium has turned into mush. This will cause fungus.

2. The roots have walked out of the pot.

3. Plant keeps toppling over, being top heavy.

Betty Ashley is an avid orchid enthusiast who has spent decades successfully cultivating orchids for herself, as well as for orchid lovers across the island, earning herself the title ‘Orchid Doc’. Send your orchid questions and/or concerns to: bettymay@flowja.com.

It’s The Final Day

The Jamaica Orchid Society presents Carry Mi Orchid – an exhibition of orchids at the JHS Showgrounds, Gibson Drive, Hope Pastures today Sunday, March 25.

Time: 9:00 am-6:00 pm

Betty Ashley is an avid orchid enthusiast who has spent decades successfully cultivating orchids for herself, as well as for orchid lovers across the island, earning herself the title ‘Orchid Doc’. Send your orchid questions and/or concerns to: bettymay@flowja.com.