I guess I do not understand about the lack of growth....these are evergreen as you know and typically throw new leaves a couple times per year and flower once per year. When you knocked off the roots that was not a problem as they are often shipped without roots when you import from South Africa and they grow new roots very fast....the only problem you may have had was when you repotted without roots you overwatered. I guess the only thing I would suggest is stop watering and let it dry out completely and then wait for a new leaf....only a touch of water occassionally to keep it from being a desert....best of luck....these root very easily so as long as you are careful with the water and have not done irreperable damage you will likely be OK. Best of luck :o) Dan

Thanks much, Dan- I really appreciate your reply. What you said makes sense. The reason it didnt grow, I guess, is it was kept in an office-I had given it to a coworker years ago, and it sat undisturbed but with no sunlight. She left the job and the plant. Leaves and bulb are long and narrow. Since the dsaster I have taken it out of the soil because of the moisture. Now i'm wondering how long to let the bulb dry out before putting it back in soil, since there is no tunic (covering). (There will be no covering as long as there are no new leaves growing). Wondering also whether the season matters. Guess I will wait a couple of days then plant it in a relatively dry soil or sand, and hope for the best. something close to desert might be the only thing it can stand without finally rotting to nothingness. Would be a shame if it sat there unresponsive but happy for so long and then I get it and kill it.

FYI- after much gentle care, its seems the bulb may be saved. After much trial and error,(no matter what I did, it started to rot) But I finally seem to have come up with the remedy. I wiped off all the mushy, rotted layers of the bulb, let it dry out for a about two weeks or so. I also used some care tips I got from a website dealing with rot on orchid bulbs and - hurrah! new roots have sprouted! Not rot! One leaf is dying but that's not unsual for this variety. I'm so excited I'm feel like getting different varieties. I have my fingers crossed hoping the roots continue to grow...

Glad to hear it made it!! I have perhaps 10 species/varieties that I got from South African nurseries.....I really love these plants....some of the leaves are so incredibly hairy, like on H. pubescens v. pubescens, and some have wonderful markings on the bottom of the leaves like H. coccineus and H. sanguineus :o) Dan