Singapore orchid i sent to my friend in Oz

[en3rmax]

Hi there OB,

As i posted before, i ordered a orchid over the phone from the UK to a florist in Darwin Australia for my friends birthday, she has sent me some pics of it, i would like to know what type of dendrobium it is? and if it's the type of dendrobium that needs fulll sun, the florist said to me it's potted in rocks as it's a popular way in Oz.

My friend lives in Darwin so it's very hot and humid, this is her first orchid and would like to give her the best advice to look after it.

Do you treat it the same way as a phal, water once a week, let all excess water drain away and give the good indirect sunlight?







Thanku for all the advice.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

It's a hybrid. I don't know the name.

Grow in bright indirect light.

[en3rmax]

Is this dendrobium what they call a dendrobium phalaenopsis hybrid?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

It most likely is, that's probably why they're grown using rocks in Oz. Dendrobium phalaenopsis are actually found growing more as lithophytes than epiphytes in the wild.

[en3rmax]

Thanku for the info, can this type of dendrobium re flower from a node on the spike like a phalaenopsis?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I don't understand what you're asking.

They are called Dendrobium phalaenopsis because the flowers superficially resemble Phalaenopsis aphrodite or Phalaenopsis amabilis flowers in shape (not necessarily color).

They bloom on inflorescences that emerge from the uppermost nodes of the cane.

[Becca]

Philip I think what en3rmax is asking if a dendrobium can produce another flower spike off of an old flower spike that has previously bloomed like how a phal can. I think the answer is no but I could be wrong.

Also, to answer en3rmax about lighting and watering, a Dendrobium needs stronger light then a Phal and also needs to dry out between watering, unlike a phal.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Oh...!

Okay.

Yeah, Becca, you got it. The answer would be no.

[Baz in Oz]

A lot of Dendrobiums will flower again the following season from the same cane but not from the same spike.

Road gravel was, and possibly still is, a popular potting medium and works very well for lots of orchid genera. It doesn't break down and doesn't get a build-up of salts like porous mediums. One drawback is the weight as a bench full of orchids growing in rock gets very weighty.

Generally speaking, Dens. prefer to be a little root bound so a smaller pot is better. Lots of food/water when actively growing but ease off when the plant is dormant.

Baz

[en3rmax]

Originally Posted by Becca

Philip I think what en3rmax is asking if a dendrobium can produce another flower spike off of an old flower spike that has previously bloomed like how a phal can. I think the answer is no but I could be wrong..

Sorry for the confusion, yes that is what i was trying to say, i wasnt sure if that type of dendrobium could flower again from an old spike like a phalaenopsis.

Is it best to cut off the old spike? If you give it the right conditions and feed it well should it re flower in the winter?