---
title: "Hi this guy is about 6 years old. Recently he started regrowing roots…"
description: "Hi this guy is about 6 years old. Recently he started regrowing roots after all of them being super dry. I was just curious what is the woody stem? Recently I…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ/hBiTr93WQpGui9lMwRSIEQ"
community: "The Orchid Oasis"
author: "Oplamo"
published: "2024-03-10T14:38:30.369807Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/8b7ZDyzMbpqg8ClD9OCRr-a2HOJXdUAYDjOZmpoq7-U/HWnfwu5IQnSvG2VZ1v5xzw.webp?size=large"
---

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# Hi this guy is about 6 years old. Recently he started regrowing roots…

_Posted by Oplamo on 2024-03-10_

Hi this guy is about 6 years old. Recently he started regrowing roots after all of them being super dry. I was just curious what is the woody stem? Recently I got the advice to try water culture to revive it, I was curious if I should cut this off or leave it?

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/8b7ZDyzMbpqg8ClD9OCRr-a2HOJXdUAYDjOZmpoq7-U/HWnfwu5IQnSvG2VZ1v5xzw.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/8b7ZDyzMbpqg8ClD9OCRr-a2HOJXdUAYDjOZmpoq7-U/VKvqYEYLTO-XNMtyIIox9g.webp?size=large)

## 7 comments

### El \<3 commented on 2024-03-10

Unless it’s mushy and rotten I would probably just leave it for fear of upsetting the plant

#### Oplamo replied on 2024-03-10

Thank you

### ABucketOfPlants commented on 2024-03-10

That little wooden stem in the middle is where all of the underground roots grow from. LEAVE IT.

#### Oplamo replied on 2024-03-10

Thanks

### MeasomerPi commented on 2024-03-10

The brown and desiccated portion is old stem that’s probably died off. If left, it can lead to rot issues (although it is not a guaranteed problem magnet).

If it were mine, I would cut it off in 1/4” to 1/2” increments until I got to about 1/2” from the green portion of the stem. You don’t want to cut into green tissue. If you do, treat with cinnamon and let callus for a week.

#### Oplamo replied on 2024-03-10

Thank you very much for the information and tip on cinnamon

### Jen commented on 2024-03-10

If that portion is dry and woody, it will not grow roots. They will only grow from the green portion of the stem. If you plant it in the medium, like Pi said above, you run the risk of it just breaking down and developing rot in the moist medium. If you’re nervous about cutting it, just trim a bit at a time.

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