Getting Started - Orchid Board

drwonga · #1 03-10-2010, 04:40 PM

Hi All!

I've been reading tons of books about orchids, and have even tried my hand a couple times, but never had much success. My first orchid, a phal, seemed to get black rot and died. I presume from the humidity tray I had, with the water level a bit too high. Then I purchased a phal out in my new location, which seemed to be growing, but I was unable to have it produce any flowers, and it was left out in a cold night which I believe killed it. Right now I have a Den. kingianum, which is potted in a small clay pot with some orchid mix, and some moss. I've been watering it weekly, but it doesn't seem to be doing any better or worse (it's been about a month since I received it). The pseudo bulbs appear to be shriveled, but still green and plumper than the area surround it. The leaves are a dark green. The roots appeared to be ok when I initially potted it up. Do you guys have any suggestions?

I live in the Silicon Valley, and our temps are around 70 as a high average (some days are 90+) and average lows are around 40. I have an East facing balcony, which is covered. Are there any orchids that would be good for a beginner with a troubled start? I also don't have much space inside to grow orchids and was hoping to be able to grow more outdoors. Thanks!

RosieC · #2 03-10-2010, 05:04 PM

Hi and welcome to Orchid Board

Can you post a picture of the Den. That might help us advise on that one. Mine are not really doing much just either so I wouldn't worry too much. There is some culture info on Den. kingianum here if that helps.

Den kingianum

As for advise on what you should grow... well different orchids are easy in different parts of the world so it's difficult to give advise from over here in the UK. I get on well with both Phals and Den. phal hybrids but something different may be best in your part of the world.

Zoi2 · #3 03-10-2010, 06:50 PM

Hello and welcome to the OB.
I don't believe the leaves should be dark green, what kind of light is your den getting and how are you watering?
Joann

drwonga · #4 03-12-2010, 01:24 AM

I got some photos I took yesterday that I will have to post as soon as I get a chance. For lighting-I have moved it after being three weeks towards the back of my patio. This area receives morning light and indirect lighting the rest of the day. Right now it's closer to some more direct morning light-a solid 4-6 hours, then indirect light for the afternoon. I am watering once a week by dunking the pot in a larger tub of water and letting it drain.

drwonga · #5 03-12-2010, 11:30 AM

I uploaded the two images I have to my public album here on the forum, but I haven't figured out how to link it to this forum thread...but if you visit my album it should be there!

trdyl · #6 03-12-2010, 12:41 PM

Welcome to OB!

PleuroPal · #7 03-12-2010, 12:42 PM

Hi,

Welcome to the board! I live near your area - just a little bit to the south, near Gilroy. So our conditions are very similar if not identical. D kingianum should do fine outside year-round here, but it does sound like it hasn't been getting enough light. Some other species you might try that do well for me outdoors are: Laelia gouldiana, Laelia anceps, Maxillaria tenuifolia, Dendrobium speciosum, some reed-stem Dendros, etc. I also have my Pleurothalis palliolata outside (in the shade) and it's been doing fantastic and can take temps even down into the low forties and high thirties for short periods. As it gets really warm this summer, I might bring it inside, but we'll see.
I've also been told by some other Bay Area locals that Masdies do well outdoors around here, but again, avoid direct sunlight with them.
Once the temps no longer drop below 55 or so at night, I'll be moving my Cattleyas outside. Last year, that proved to be the trick to finally getting them to bloom.
Hope some of this helps.

drwonga · #8 03-12-2010, 04:23 PM

Hi PleuroPal! Thanks so much for your list of successfully grown outdoor orchids! I noticed you didn't have any cymbidiums-were they no good in your environment? I thought they were very popular outdoor orchids in CA?

PleuroPal · #9 03-12-2010, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drwonga

Hi PleuroPal! Thanks so much for your list of successfully grown outdoor orchids! I noticed you didn't have any cymbidiums-were they no good in your environment? I thought they were very popular outdoor orchids in CA?

No problem. Oh yeah, I knew I was probably leaving something out! But yes, I have Cyms too and they do great outside. Mine are in partial shade but I think they can take a pretty good deal of light. I have a couple about to bloom right now as a matter of fact.

bodaciousbonsai · #10 03-14-2010, 11:20 AM

Are you sure thats a Dendrobium kingianum. those leaves look a bit to large to be a Den kingianum. I have one and the leaves are nowhere even close to that size???