Tips for Australian dendrobium

[mook1178]

I recently acquired a dendrobium Australian Robbie McInnes. From my understanding and research Australian Dens don't require a dry period in the winter, but much less watering. I plan on growing it outdoors as well next year. I believe I've read that they can handle likes in the 40s F and need mottled sunlight during summer, but can handle full sun spring and fall.

Does this sound correct? Any other tips?

[mook1178]

bump

[SundayGardener]

Despite their reputation for general hardiness, my two trial Aussie dendros did not fare well. I would definitely say that they prefer drier conditions even during periods of growth. Even in the summer, they did best with watering once a week or even less frequently.

Mine did not do too well in a sunny window inside...depending on what yours is used to, you might want to transition to brighter conditions slowly. There's no undoing sunburn.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by mook1178

I recently acquired a dendrobium Australian Robbie McInnes. From my understanding and research Australian Dens don't require a dry period in the winter, but much less watering. I plan on growing it outdoors as well next year.

I grow some dendrobiums (moschatum, devonianum, and discolor) ..... up in NQ. They just grow in scoria/volcanic rock pieces - sitting under under shade of shrubs, in their plastic pots - sometimes getting full (direct sun) in the afternoon. The lawn sprinkler is the only thing that waters them. I haven't grown your particular dendrobium before, but I believe that with adequate light and good air-circulation, these orchids - and a whole lot of others, will grow nicely. The main thing is to sun-harden them gradually ----- and --- keep an eye out on particularly sun-intense days (which can really peak at particular times of the year) ----- which can burn/scorch the plants leaves --- but the scorching can be minor - so if the plant makes it through the season (and makes it through many seasons) --- chances are it'll just thrive.

I don't even fertilise them (manually). I think ants or insects or whatever live inside the media - within the pots, and bring in some nutrients (aka fertiliser).

[SaraJean]

Originally Posted by SundayGardener

Despite their reputation for general hardiness, my two trial Aussie dendros did not fare well. I would definitely say that they prefer drier conditions even during periods of growth. Even in the summer, they did best with watering once a week or even less frequently.

Weird. I had the exact opposite experience. I had moved mine to LECA so I could water them every day with out having to worry. They hated it. I had some really crappy growth with much of the new growth aborting before it would even get a few inches tall. I ended up repotting in a 1:1 mix of bark and LECA, still watering every day in the warm seasons, and they are much happier. I do keep mine outside though, and my summers are HOT. They seem to be pretty tolerant of extremes. I water less in the winter, but not bone dry, and I’ll cut out fertilizer soon after some of these growths are finished developing.

I think the lowest temps mine saw over the winter were in the low 40’s. I didn’t give any of my hybrids full sun but they did get more direct light during that time of the year

[mook1178]

Thank you all for your input. I think I'm going to keep it in a bright window until March. We should be past any Frost at the point. Then find a bright spot in the yard.