Dendrobium Speciosum

[Petey]

OK Thanks

[Fairorchids]

Petey,

There are about 7 recognized varieties of Den. speciosum. Some are blooming size with canes about 8" tall, others should be as high as 36".

There is a web site by an Australian grower (www.therocklilyman.com) with tons of info, including many photos showing the plants growing on open hill sides in full sun.

Here in NJ, I put my speciosum outside into full sun in late April, and leave it till night time temp drops to about 34F (+1C). In 2022 my tenant moved my plant, so I overlooked it till late December. At that point it had been down to about 20F (-7C) twice.

The canes were mush, but I brought the pot inside anyway. 3 months later, it started 2 new shoots from the base.

I treat mature speciosum the same as kingianum & nobile:
Sept 15th = stop fertilizing
Oct 15th = cut back watering by 90% (till you see buds).

[Petey]

Thanks for the link. Interesting.

[jldriessnack]

Dendrobium s. needs to be blasted by light. It also needs good watering when growing, every few days actually, but in VERY coarse mix. And I notice it benefits from cool night temperatures in 40s/50s/60s and higher ones during the day. Mine bloomed EACH spring because of the combo of amazing light, temperature differentials, and good watering.

[Petey]

Are you talking about indirect light or sunshine?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by jldriessnack

Dendrobium s. needs to be blasted by light. It also needs good watering when growing, every few days actually, but in VERY coarse mix. And I notice it benefits from cool night temperatures in 40s/50s/60s and higher ones during the day. Mine bloomed EACH spring because of the combo of amazing light, temperature differentials, and good watering.

First of all, you need to specify which Dendrobiums. It's a huge genus, and different types need different conditions. Also, your location would help evalutate your genralizations. I grow my Den speciousums outdoors (southern California), they get cold in winter and warm in summer. I have toasted leaves with too much direct sun in summer... they go for dappled sunshine. They aren't fussy about watering or much of anything else.

[Roberta]

As I mentioned above, this has not been a good year for Den. speciosum - most of my plants are just sitting there. (The Den. speciosum hybrids are doing fine however, running a bit late but flowers are starting to open ). My big Den. speciosum var. granfiflorum, however, is doing fine. The canes on this one are substantial (about 2 feet/60 cm tall or more, about 1 inch/2.5 cm in diameter or a bit more) This one is in semi-shade, and that doesn't seem to have hurt the blooming at all.

[estación seca]

I have a Den. xdelicatum which has had tiny spikes for several months now. They have grown maybe a millimeter since I noticed them in late December.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I have a Den. xdelicatum which has had tiny spikes for several months now. They have grown maybe a millimeter since I noticed them in late December.

I'm seeing fattening buds now... so maybe eventually.

[jldriessnack]

Originally Posted by Petey

Are you talking about indirect light or sunshine?

Roberta is right about toasting leaves. During spring, summer, and fall, I give my dendrobiums, especially speciosum, DIRECT morning sunshine for a few hours but allow them to rest the remainder of the day in light shade. They are acclimated to this over some time to get ready for summer. So I choose a spot where the sun hits them for a few hours in the morning. In Australia, they grow on bare rock in the open sun - I've seen it.

---------- Post added at 07:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:58 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

First of all, you need to specify which Dendrobiums. It's a huge genus, and different types need different conditions. Also, your location would help evalutate your genralizations. I grow my Den speciousums outdoors (southern California), they get cold in winter and warm in summer. I have toasted leaves with too much direct sun in summer... they go for dappled sunshine. They aren't fussy about watering or much of anything else.

Dendrobium s. is a reference to speciosum. Read. Also, I do not HAVE to do anything.