Wenzelii care

[Joy]

I purchased a Dendrochilum Wenzelii at the S.C. Orchid Society yearly show. Although the seller was knowledgeable and helpful, he was "to busy" to go into great detail on the proper care - can anyone help?

[Ross]

First of all, welcome to the board! Now as for your question, Try this link --> http://www.andysorchids.com/picturef...enzelii%20(red) How about telling us something about your hobby and your orchids (some folks call the 'chids here)

[Gin]

to the forum , nice plant . Gin

[justatypn]

Aboard Joy, you have come to a great community full of orchid addicts. Our members are helpful and a wealth of information awaits. We have a gallery where you can upload your s and share them with other members. What type of orchids do you have? Glad your here Love Dendrochilum Wenzelii a sweet species I love the bottle brush blooms.

[DelawareJim]

Okay, back to Joy's question, what is the proper care for wenzelii?

I got one last summer at OrchidFest and I got conflicting care recommendations. One grower said water daily, the grower we purchased it from said water weekly. I've been splitting the difference, but now, 4 months later, it's starting to drop a lot of leaves. The plant is in a 2 inch pot with treefern fibres and a little sphagnum, in an east facing kitchen window.

Andy's orchids has nice pics but no culture.

Cheers.
Jim

[Uechi]

Care for your Den is Light 1800 to 2500 FC. Temps 83-89F day 72-75F at night with a range of about 8 degrees. Humidity 80-90% Can be mounted on tree fern, cork etc, If so must be water everyday. If put in a pot use fast draining media such as large fir bark, aliflor, charcoal etc. Do not let completely dry out. Fertilize weekly or biweekly 1/4 to 1/2 strength. These are all the ideals orchids tolerate disparities from the ideal.

[Kona's Gold]

Light should be 2000-3000FC filtered or diffused and not exposed to direct midday sun. Lots of air movment.
Temps should be 85-93F days average, 68-69F average nights in summer, Diurnal range 21-24F.
Humidity should be 80-85% most of the year dropping to 70-75% for 4 months in late winter.
Watering Cultivated plants should be heavy during growth period with a well draining medium, the roots should never become stale or soggy. Water should cut back when not actively growing but should never dry out completly.
Fert should be weekly weakly. and cut back when in the rest period in winter.
This is the Reader Digest version from Orchidwiz and I hope it helps.
Roland

[Undergrounder]

I have a wenzelii i got last year, just bloomed for me a few months ago. It's in 50:50 chopped sphagnum and perlite. It's important to keep it moist, it's not likely to suffer from rot, BUT its not necessary to water every day. I would water mine about once a week or less, depending on how quickly the sphag dries out. Low humidity causes the leaf tips to go yellow, so humidity is good if you can provide it, but not absolutely essential. They probably like high light, but not full sun. Sun probably wouldn't be a problem though if its not particularly hot or long.

[DelawareJim]

Thanks all.

I think mine has been too dry. I also found an article from Orchids Australia that recommends keeping it moist.

Australian Orchid Council Inc. - Orchids Australia Magazine

Cheers.
Jim

[Bolero]

Originally Posted by DelawareJim

Thanks all.

I think mine has been too dry. I also found an article from Orchids Australia that recommends keeping it moist.

Australian Orchid Council Inc. - Orchids Australia Magazine

Cheers.
Jim

This link is spot on. The person who wrote the article is a fantastic grower and I've occasionally sought advice from him in the past. Lots of good information in the link and I agree with the 5C minimum in winter as being fairly safe. 5C to 6C minimums (about 42F) should be ok in winter.