How to care for Dendrobium Woon Leng red lip

[Fran20]

I was gifted a Dendrobium Woon Leng red lip. One cane is in full bloom right now with 2 new canes growing.This is my first den, so i'm not sure how to care for it. Is this a warm tolerant orchid? Can I give it full sun or does it need to be indirect? Watering? Feeding? Sorry about all the questions.

[Roberta]

Looked this up.. it is of the "Dendrobium-phalaenopsis" type, which likes warm temperatures and bright light. (It has nothing to do with Phalaenopsis... the name comes from the parents of this hybrid looking somewhat like a Phalaenopsis.. with a lot of imagination) It does like Phalaenopsis temperatures, but a lot more light. Full sun might be a stretch - you don't want to burn leaves - but definitely bright. Fertilize like most other orchids - whatever it says on the bottle, use 1/2 to 1/4 as much, every week or two. (Orchids need only very little fertilizer, too little won't hurt but too much can be very detrimental) For watering, a photo of the medium would help... How often an orchid needs water depends on how fast it dries out, it would help to know how it's potted - container and medium, and something about where you are growing it. Do you have other orchids?

[Fran20]

The orchid is on south west facing window sill. It is in a 4-inch pot. Media appears to be fir bark and charcoal mixture. Trying

to upload photos but not sure if they will appear I have three other oncidium orchids that appear to be thriving.

[Roberta]

The surface of the mix looks good. When you repot, you should try to duplicate the size of the bark, seems to work fine. These do like to dry out more between waterings than the Oncidiums, and the relatively large bark facilitates that. I am sure you take the plant out of the pot to water it and let it drain well. I understand the need for that clay pot for stability. When you repot, I suggest a terracotta pot with good drainage... you need the weight, for sure.

[Fran20]

Many thanks for all of your information! 2 more questions, if I may, please: Does this particular dendrobium need a cool dry period to set flower buds? And is it evergreen or deciduous?

[Veksa]

Hello, I noticed you live in NY, then looked at your orchid's photo. As I live in NY too, these radiators most likely not the best place to keep plants on in winter, it gets mad hot, unless you are able to regulate your heat levels. If there is no other place to keep it please consider something to protect your pots from heat later on. I have similar setup, ended up raising my pots on candleholders.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Fran20

Many thanks for all of your information! 2 more questions, if I may, please: Does this particular dendrobium need a cool dry period to set flower buds? And is it evergreen or deciduous?

This type of Dendrobium doesn't need a rest period, is evergreen. So comfortable warmth, and as much light as you can give it (short of burning leaves, of course), water and (lightly) fertilize all year the same.

[Fran20]

Many thanks, Roberta! Now I feel more confident that I'm offering my orchid the proper care.