help with Dendrobium aggregatum - Orchid Board

grasshopper · #1 11-15-2010, 05:12 PM

I purchased a Dendrobium aggregatum (or more properly, lindleyi) and it came in the mail today. Good news is I have an aggregatum, which I've always wanted.

Bad news is it doesn't look so good.

There are about 10 pbulbs, but they are very shriveled and the mix it was potted in (medium bark and perlite) was VERY dry. I soaked it for 30 minutes while I prepared a pot for it, and noted that it doesn't have the greatest root system...I had to trim off quite a bit. I potted it up in a 3.5" plastic pot in fresh medium grade bark mixed with perlite, and placed a few styrofoam peanuts in the bottom for better drainage.

My question is: What do I do regarding watering? I know that now is usually the time to stop watering for the cool, dry winter rest. But since this orchid is so dehydrated, should I continue watering?

Any advice would be most appreciated! Thanks!

Ingrid76 · #2 11-15-2010, 05:50 PM

I would suggest only misting it periodically to prevent the pseudobuld from continuing to shrink.

Standard school of thought is to place it in a bright location and withhold the water until it spikes in the spring (so no more water from now through March). Good Luck!

jaxorchidman · #3 11-15-2010, 05:57 PM

I have some 'sick' Den's right now and I have left them on the dryer side and new roots are forming. I also have ben experimenting with some roasting pans that have the clear lids that snap on top. Putting a little wet sphag on the bottom and just setting the plant on top. I do have them siting on top of my indoor lights for some bottom heat too. Pretty much like a sphag and bag technique. I have had a pretty good response with plants sending out new roots when I do that also. See what someone else says before doing this though. I have an Oda. that I'm trying to get some new roots on so I'm also in need of help.Good luck. Let us know what you do.

kiki-do · #4 11-15-2010, 06:15 PM

I hope you also reported your findings to the vendor and have them know you are not pleased with it's condition upon arrival. They may replace the plant. It doesn't sound very good for surviving.

CTB · #5 11-15-2010, 06:27 PM

You could work on really letting it soak, and see if you can build up some moisture within the plant, start dry, rest on December 15th. It's still pretty warm there isn't it?

shadytrake · #6 11-15-2010, 07:47 PM

Just remember that Den lindleyi doesn't like to be disturbed so it is likely to sulk on you for a little while. I remounted mine upon purchase after a gorgeous bloom cycle and it has been sulking for a year. It gave me a measly little spike this past spring.

I have great hopes that it will take off next year and really bloom big. It is on winter rest now and all the pbulbs are wrinkled (not a whole lot, but fair).

That is how they grow. The ones at the Botanic Gardens look the same way and they get more water than mine.

Now the roots will sulk a bit too. Just warning you. They will take their time getting used to your media. Come spring though, they should start moving right along.

Here is the link to mine with the tiny spike.

Den lindleyi (aggregatum) - Orchid Board Galleries

grasshopper · #7 11-15-2010, 09:23 PM

It is starting to cool down here in Dallas. The days are in the 60s and the nights are in the upper 40s. I'm growing it inside and the room it's in gets up to 78 F during the day and down to 67 at night. I set it close to the windowsill thinking it would like the cooler area at night, but then I began to think about bottom heat for root growth.

I'm leaning toward soaking it for an hour tomorrow and then again every week or so until Dec. 15th and then starting the dry rest. I think I'd feel better about rehydrating it a little before sending it off on the drought.

Oh and I contacted the seller and they said the shriveled pbulbs are normal and that nothing is wrong with the plant. Basically, I'm on my own. I like a challenge, though I was hoping for blooms this spring which doesn't look likely right now.

Thanks for the advice and I'll keep you posted on the results !

denvervet · #8 09-08-2011, 12:23 PM

So is December 15th the magic date to let my Den. Aggregatum var. majus "Fields" go into its winter rest and withhold water? When do I start watering it again. How often do I mist it, I live in Denver a very dry climate, thanks!

grasshopper · #9 09-08-2011, 03:32 PM

No, I think it's really supposed to be closer to Halloween. I watered mine later than that last year because I didn't receive it until mid November and it was sooooo dry and shriveled. Barely had any good roots. It was all for naught because I lost it anyway.

The vendor sent me a new one after I called back to complain and the one they sent looked much better. It's put out at least 4-5 new pbulbs over the spring and summer.

I'll withhold water beginning around Halloween this year and hope for a good show come spring!

I'm not much help on your question because I'm still learning about this beautiful orchid myself. Best of luck to you!

Bud · #10 09-08-2011, 05:41 PM

keep treating it as if its still on its growing period and water and fertilize it ...its when you have frost thats when you start the rest period...the plants know by atmospheric and barometric pressure when to start dormancy(if it rains you can spritz it a bit)...you really got to have the determination and the will...just dont give in to watering too much in rest periods...or you wont have blooms