Orchid compost for a Dendobrium

I recently bought some orchid compost for use with the keiki which had developed on my Dendobrium. The compost is very light and airy to the extent that it will not support the keiki or the stick I have provided for support. (It seems to be largely bark pieces with a little coir mixed in.)
Is there anything I can add to the compost mix to make it more substantial without damaging the nature of the compost to the detriment of the plant?

 

If your shoots have roots on you can use your orchid compost with a bit of peat or MPC and keep them damp and warm. You could break up the bark a bit if possible and add some very small polysyrene chips. Dendrobiums are pretty easy to grow on ( as I know to my cost !! ).

 

thanks Phillipa

 

We sometimes use a wire that is bent to keep the keiki in situ to allow it to produce the roots.

 

In put gravel at the bottom to hold sticks then bark and sphagnum ontop. it takes a while but eventually the roots grab onto stuff

 

Much easier to leave the shoots on the main plant - if they are viable, you will soon see the roots forming . They can then gently be eased off and potted up as described previously.

 

There were a number of roots on the keiki before I separated it a few weeks ago but the lighness of the compost means it is insufficient to support it until they grow into its so it's like the leaning tower of Pisa!
Thanks Adam1 and On the levels for your tips.

 

I think dendrobiums are fairly drought tolerant so more bark than sphagnum id say

 

I've often put largish pebbles around them to secure them while they root.