Dendrobium - how to look after it - what to do with it? - Orchid Board

19ninety · #1 11-20-2010, 11:55 AM

Hello,

I have what i believe is a Dendrobium. I dont know which type it is (excuse the terms, I'm new to orchids) and it seems to be growing a lot.
I was given this plant by my girlfriend who saved it from her shop where it was going to be thrown out. I looked as if it has recently flowered when I first got it as its has the remains of petals all up the main stem (which can still be seen).
I didnt really know what to do with it so stuck it on a bright window and kept watering it every week or two with a little feed (weak baby bio) and it seems happy enough. At one point the main stem shriveled a little and I thought it was dieing ... then this week its plumped right out again and the whole plant is looking a lovely strong green.
Now since getting it it has grown a fair bit and is looking a little untidy and I'm wondering what I should be doing with it now?? I dont want to just leave it if doing so will cause it to get all scraggely, over grown or thinned out.
I've attached some images below.
Any help of advice is greatly welcome

Thanks

19

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 11-20-2010, 12:37 PM

Continue on what you're doing. It's looking good.

They are naturally scraggly looking.

Here's a link:

Dendrobium sp. | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #3 11-20-2010, 12:39 PM

Actually...

Now that I've looked at the 3rd pic more closely, I have to ask you a question.

Do you have photos, or can your girlfriend find a photo that closely resembles the Dendrobium you own?

I want to make sure whether dormancy will be a factor or not.

19ninety · #4 11-20-2010, 01:34 PM

Hey thanks for the reply, I didnt think I could be too far wrong with what I was doing as its still looking healthy. Wasnt sure what to do next though as orchids seemed to have a bit of a mystery about them and being able to successfully grow them.
The photos are of my Den and were taken today if that helps? As I say the main stem looked as if it was about to die for a little which worried me a little.

gnathaniel · #5 11-21-2010, 08:36 PM

Hi 19, and welcome to Orchidboard!

Your plant looks like a nobile-type Dendrobium hybrid, ie one with ancestry of Den. nobile and other related species in section Eudendrobium or other allied sections.

This is one of my favorite types of orchid, I find them pretty easy to grow and very rewarding when they bloom. This is a good guide on culture of this group:

Yamamoto Dendrobiums: General Care

Yours looks quite healthy so you must be doing things right so far. Now that we're heading into the cold months you'll want to start adjusting your culture accordingly. A lot of people consider these tricky because of their seasonal nature, but really you mostly just need to set it up in a good spot (as bright as you can manage and pretty cool in temperature) and virtually neglect it until spring. Good luck!

--Nat

CTB · #6 11-21-2010, 09:03 PM

Welcome 19, you have come to the right place for answers as you can see. We have over 15,800 members willing to help. Enjoy!

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #7 11-21-2010, 09:41 PM

Silly me!

I didn't specify what I meant to say clearly!

I meant to say...

After viewing pic #3, I wanted to know if you or your girlfriend have pics of the flowers?

Because if it is what gnathaniel said it might be, then there is a definite dormancy period you must observe or it will die.

19ninety · #8 11-22-2010, 06:26 PM

Thanks for the replies, I've taken some photos of the dead flowers (hope maybe this will help identify exactly what this one is) as sadly didnt take any when first hat the plant. I also have a couple of other questions about roots and baby Dens sprouting off the side.
Will post more tomorrow, late here and in need of bed.
Thanks again!!

19ninety · #9 11-23-2010, 05:06 PM

Ok, as promised here are some images of the remains of the flowers:

So on to side sprouts, can these be removed (with care) and potter on? The one in the image is above the potting material, however there are a few which are coming from the base of the stem and are rooting into the potting material, I expect these ones cannot be removed?

And then to roots, there is a LOT in the pot and they can bee seen around the edges, should I just top up the material to cover the roots or look to re-potting the whole plant?

camille1585 · #10 11-23-2010, 05:17 PM

When the flowers come out of the sides of the stem like that, it's a nobile type Den, so needs a winter rest.

The side shoot you show looks like it's a keiki.(keiki= hawaiian word for 'baby') Normally you can remove it and pot it up separately (if you want, or leave it there), but wait for advice from someone else, since I know nothing about nobile Dens!