Hi - My orchids need a bit of help - they're not flowering!!!! - Page 2 - Orchid Board

Undergrounder · #11 10-30-2009, 11:03 AM

Yep if Den pierardii, let the canes droop down, either from a hanging basket or tied onto a mount or something... they just look better and grow more naturally that way.

They lose their leaves in autumn/winter as part of their regular growth cycle. When this happens you need to significantly reduce watering in order to get them to flower.

And then when you see tiny new canes growing from the base (which should be happening now if not soon), then water the hell out of them all the way until next autumn, when the canes have matured.

Nelly4 · #12 10-30-2009, 05:19 PM

Thanks for the great advice - I'll do that and let you know how I go!

Orchid126 · #13 10-30-2009, 05:25 PM

I would not use the high nitrogen 30-4-8 fertilizer on the dendrobiums. Dendrobiums do not like a lot of nitrogen. The 11-13-16 would be more suitable, though the 11 N is still a bit high.

Baloney · #14 10-31-2009, 02:07 AM

Dendrobiums tend to be a little prone to getting those black spots, which are most likely fungus (I'm assuming that it's not sunburn of course). Like what someone else has already mentioned here, there's no need to cut those leaves off. You can try to reduce the occurrence by not misting or otherwise getting the leaves wet, and the occasional use of a fungicide.

From what I've read and observing the growth habit of my two dendrobiums, they prefer to be a bit crowded in the pot, but yes your #7 looks like it's in need of a repotting

Nelly4 · #15 10-31-2009, 05:43 AM

Ok so I won't be cutting any more leaves off...

Also, I've read somewhere about misting but I have no idea when to do it and is it just done with water or with feed?

Baloney - I repotted my dendrobium today and divided it into 3 plants. Its either going to take or not as the roots were so tangled up around and round the pot I think I damaged some.

Ephemere · #16 10-31-2009, 07:36 AM

With exception of the Cymbidium I would repot them all. Cut off dead/dry roots, give them bigger pots, fresh medium such as "Orchiata" bark mixed with some small chopped coconut husks, small charcoal pieces and 2 or 3 pumice stones. The roots should touch the new medium mixture when the pots are half full. Then gently add more medium to the top of the pot. Give your plants one good watering mixed with Vitamin B root stimulator and place in the shade for a week. Then gradually expose them to more sun; now water frequently and fertilize lightly, but every week throughout the summer. You will see how grateful your orchids are even before they bloom (new shoots, roots and growth!). Flowers will follow!
Good luck.

Cheers, Michael

Nelly4 · #17 10-31-2009, 09:22 AM

Wow thanks Michael for your great advice. I'll see how my little dendrobium goes after I have repotted it then try the others. I'm still learning here so don't want to kill them all off at once!!

Ephemere · #18 10-31-2009, 12:12 PM

You are not killing them....instead, repotting means expansion and new life... it's like you are releasing them from a constricted environment/prison...they can only do better given the opportunity! Please repot us all...tks. a million, you will be rewarded!

Michael

Becky15349 · #19 10-31-2009, 01:29 PM

They are right - the one with the long strappy leaves is a cymbidium. you would be best to google cymbidium care because they need cold to bloom. In california, people keep them outside all year long, its quite interesting.

The dends are just burned on the edges of the leaves, either from too much sun or minerals in your water. Dends also need a cooling-down period to bloom. Your blooming ones are very cute!!