Dends Grow Faster Than Phals?

[dianecty]

Hi! In April, when I bought the dends, they were about 3 1/2" tall, now they are 6-9" tall! However, my phals - some of them are still the same size 1" or maybe 2" tall now. So they only gained 1".

Is it true that phals grow much slower than dends? Is this the normal growth rate for both orchids?

My dends are fat too and have a lot of little growths coming out. I think the KLN is more effective in dends than phals. Do you think so?

[blackorchid]

it is some what true, Den is taller and bigger, and require more sun light and nutrient, thus grows faster. However, I don't say that a phal is a slow grower either. They're very different in growing habit and you cannot really compare them with each other. Phal will only grow vertically (taller and taller) while Den can grow taller but has a certain limit and will stop growing when it reach the tip, after that Den can sprout out new canes at their feet. Therefore there's at least 2 factors right there:
1) Den has to reach maturity of each cane quicker while Phalaenopsis doesn't have to do it because it can flower on a side.
2) Den takes more light, thus grow faster
There.

[bonsai1504]

dendrobiums are bigger to start with and phals grow with less space inbetween leaves than dendrobiums. phals also only put on one or two leaves a year.

[dianecty]

Aha! So I was not dreaming after all. I only have 2 dends and 2 oncidiums that are skinny. I hope to fatten them up soon! I hope their roots grow. The ones that became so big had excellent roots.

Thanks guys!!