Help with Dendrobium Spectabile

[mmorehead]

I just purchased this over-potted Den Spectabile x Alexandrae and posted a picture here. I am new to this species, and would appreciate any advice on how to care for them properly; lighting, temps, watering, hummidity.

One thing I am concerned about is the canes. All but two have begun to shrivel, and I'm not sure if it is a result of its current environment. Some of the leaves are turning yellow and crinkling, too, which also leaves me concerned. It has a new growth which has increased in size on one of the canes... so that makes me feel that I'm doing something correct.

I also need to know if I should repot it. If so, what size pot? And what do I look for with the roots?

I haven't been able to locate many sites containing care info. Please help! I greatly appreciate your input!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Okay...

From the pic you posted it doesn't look like it's in dire need of help.

But...

You haven't posted the growing conditions the plant's in. It could also help to put up what state and city you're in. Sometimes growers from the same area can help you or you guys can make nice/friends.

Also, Den (spectabile x alexandrae) is a primary hybrid. This plant has parents that are both in the Latourea section of Dendrobium which mostly originate from Papua New Guinea.

When you research Papua New Guinea, be aware that the highlands and lowlands are vastly different micro-habitats.

[catwalker808]

King is correct. Both alexandrae and spectabile are in the latouria section of dens and both species are from New Guinea. Alexandrae is warm and spectabile is warm, bordering intermediate.

This primary hybrid is called Den Adora Nishii. As you already know, the plant will be rather robust. Alexandrae will bloom from a good sized plant in a 4" pot. It is a slender plant which wil bloom from when it is about 12-14" tall. Spectabile will get much bigger with more and fatter canes if you feed it too heavily. If you stop the feed from early fall, you can get the plant to bloom in early spring, from when it is only 12-16". If you keep feeding, you will get a huge plant which will need to get to 2-1/2' or taller before it blooms.

The hybrid (which you have) would also need to have the feed withheld.

However, do not withhold water, unless it gets too cold. At present, the pot is too small for the size of your plant (looks like a 4 to 4-1/2" pot). You can repot into at least a 6" or 7" pot to stabilize the plant. But be aware that very good drainage is important. The plant will need thorough watering, since it is a heavy feeder and transpires from its large leaves, but it should also drain well. Right now, your root ball is probably too tight in such a small pot. That's why your leaves were constricted until the new growth. You probably assisted that growth by your more frequent recent watering.

Remember, this plant is evergreen and feeds and sucks up water. Just remember also that if you want it to bloom, hold the feed but not the water.

[mmorehead]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Okay...

From the pic you posted it doesn't look like it's in dire need of help.

But...

You haven't posted the growing conditions the plant's in. It could also help to put up what state and city you're in. Sometimes growers from the same area can help you or you guys can make nice/friends.

Also, Den (spectabile x alexandrae) is a primary hybrid. This plant has parents that are both in the Latourea section of Dendrobium which mostly originate from Papua New Guinea.

When you research Papua New Guinea, be aware that the highlands and lowlands are vastly different micro-habitats.

Thank you so much for your reply, King!

I live in north central West Virginia (Zone 6) and am currently growing it indoors. I have it under a quad 4 ft. t8 fluorescent fixture with four 100 watt full spectrum incandescents. It's where I keep all of my phals. The temprature stays around 82 degrees during the day and approx. 70 degrees at night. Humidity is normally bewteen 60 to 70 percent. Are these conditions suitable, or do I need to adapt it to a new environment?

Thank you, again for your input, King. I greatly appreciate it!

[mmorehead]

I greatly appreciate your expertise, Catwalker! Thank you so much!!!!

I will go ahead and repot it in a 6" or 7" pot to stabilize. Currently, it is extremely top heavy, so I have to use trellis to make it stand properly.

Is there anything I need to know in regard to repotting? I am clueless on how the roots should look, characteristics of bad roots that should/should not be cut away, etc. Also, I like to use Better-Gro Phal mix for most of my orchids. Would it do well in a mix containing bark, fir bark, perlite, and charcoal? I find the drainage to be superb with this mixture, so that may be a stupid question... I just want to be sure.

One last question... Are the canes supposed to shrivel then? Overall, it does look very healthy, minus a few leaves turning yellow and getting crinkly at the ends. I've been watering it at least 2-3 times per day as the medium dries out quickly.

Thank you, again for all your help. It is very much appreciated! I want to do everything I can to help this wonderful plant thrive!!

P.S. This Den is about 3' tall. I purchased another one aprrox. 16" in height a day later. It is only labled Spectabile. So I am assuming the same care is required for both?

Thanks again!!!!!!!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Den spectabile is a species. That's one of the parents to the hybrid you own.

All Latoureas seem to have very similar cultural requirements (at least so far that I know of; no new species with completely different requirements have shown up yet...).

Your growing conditions should be fine.

Low to mid-land Papua New Guinea doesn't have a large temperature difference between day and night. You can look this stuff up on google.

[mmorehead]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Den spectabile is a species. That's one of the parents to the hybrid you own.

All Latoureas seem to have very similar cultural requirements (at least so far that I know of; no new species with completely different requirements have shown up yet...).

Your growing conditions should be fine.

Low to mid-land Papua New Guinea doesn't have a large temperature difference between day and night. You can look this stuff up on google.

Thanks again, King! I really do appreciate it!

[bryanlevey]

If feeds are withheld from the plant starting in early autumn (but watering is continued), when should feeding resume? Should it resume when the plant spikes, when new canes are beginning to grow, or at some other specific time? Any advise is appreciated.