Dendrobium Hibiki care

[elenfr]

Hello

I recently purchased a Dendrobium Hibiki online – my first orchid beyond a couple of phals. It came in a 6cm pot and, though my understanding is that dendrobiums like to be potted small, this plant seems particularly large for its pot. Would re-potting it into a slightly larger pot be sensible?

A second question: a leaf with browning at the base and yellowing elsewhere has fallen from the plant. A couple of other leaves have some yellowing on the tips. What might be the cause of these issues? I am keeping the plant (along with two other newly-bought dendrobiums I may soon ask about!) in a south-facing window in the UK, and though I have for the most part been diligent in closing the window's shaded curtain when the clouds have parted, I may have been tardy on occasion. Could this be the cause?

Many thanks in advance for any guidance.

[Roberta]

First, Welcome!

That is a healthy-looking, husky plant. I think that it could be moved up to a slightly larger pot. Also, that will give you a chance to look at the roots, which will help you determine wheter there is a problem or if that leaf drop is just force of nature (losing old leaves does just happen) , I would suggest small or medium bark, or possibly an inorganic medium such as LECA. At any rate, it shouldn't ever dry out completely. This type doesn't really want a dry winter rest. This can be a really rewarding plant - long lasting, brilliantly-colored flowers, and producing new batches of them. Once it gets going, it can stay in bloom for many months.

It should be grown quite a bit brighter than your Phals - at your northerly latitude, I don't think you need much shading at all unless it feels hot in that window space in summer. In winter, you'll may even need supplemental light for it.

[elenfr]

Thank you, Roberta, for the welcome and for the helpful guidance.

I have moved the plant to a 9cm pot with medium bark. The roots looked quite healthy, so I am hopeful.

Thanks again.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

[dbarron]

As a general rule, it's an easy care dendrobium. It is a bit sensitive to being overly dry though.

[FranningtonBear]

Welcome!

I'm also in the UK. I grow my Dendrobiums on West facing windowsills. I don't find I need to shade any of my orchids (incl. Phals, Dens, Catts and Oncids), our Northern hemisphere sun hasn't caused me any issues - yet! Between Sep - March they have 6 hours of supplemental lights daily.