Dendrobium Questions

[scy]

I have been thinking about getting another orchid or two to add to my collection, especially since my husband said, "If orchids make you happy, why don't you buy some more?" In my search for something that would stand out yet be space efficient, I am considering getting a dendrobium victoria-regina and dendrobium goldschmidtianum. I have found a few vendors that have the victoria-regina but no luck in finding a fuchsia goldschmidtianum. Would anyone happen to know of a reputable vendor that carries this?

However, I am not certain if my growing conditions will be ideal for them. Here are my growing conditions:
* Winter Day Temps: (sunny) 75-90 F; (cloudy) 55-70 F
* Winter Night Temps: 45-55 F (Have heating pad if needed)
* Low humidity
* Some air flow (central air vent is above orchids on a high ceiling)
* Growing indoors only on a windowsill.

Would these thrive in my growing conditions? I am also considering growing them semi-hydroponically, but if they definitely will not take to it, then I am open to other suggestions.

Are there any specific care instructions I should be aware of for these?

The dendrobium victoria-regina I am considering is currently mounted. If my humidity is too low for mounts, can I pot it up or would that be a bad idea, since it is accustomed to drier/more airy conditions?

Thanks for the help!

[WhiteRabbit]

I have a victoria-reginae, tho haven't got it to bloom yet - it's a high humidity plant, and if growing in low humidity, I think potted would be better than mounted - I grow mine potted. I'm not sure if your daytime winter temps indoors might be too high or not - I have been reading recently that this one does tolerate warmer temps, but blooms have better color when plant is grown cooler in winter. I'm interested to see what other's may have to say on the matter.

I do also have a Den. Mingle's Sapphire, which is a primary hybrid of victoria-reginae and gonzalesii - the blooms are almost identical to victoria-reginae, and it's proved to me to be an easy grower and bloomer. Just another one to consider.

- and sounds like you have an awesome hubby!

I got the victoria-reginae from Lowes Orchids Hawaii (I think - but don't see it on their site now)
Buy orchids | Lowe's Orchids.
I got the Mingle's Sapphire from Clackamas Orchids
Clackamas-Orchids Acineta to Staurochilus

(photo of my Den Mingle's Sapphire)

[scy]

Thank you for your feedback! I really appreciate it! I did call the nursery that sold them mounted and asked if they had any potted. They said they were getting more in soon, but the prices on the websites you listed are much better! How do you find these places?!?!

Your Den Mingle's Sapphire is beautiful! I have more overcast days in the winter in the NE than I do sunny days and it only reaches those high temps if it's in direct sunlight. For the most part the temps are pretty cool.

I've decided I'm going to live a little, order them and hope for the best! I found the dendrobium victoria-reginae under species a-d. I'm also going to get a Cymbidium Chen Ruby I've been eyeing for a while. I'll post pictures when I get them.

My hubby is pretty awesome. He said if it didn't fit in front of the windowsill, we can make room for it elsewhere.

[WhiteRabbit]

Well, the victoria-reginae I got when a friend of mine, who belongs to an orchid society was placing a group order from that seller, and he asked if I wanted to get anything from there - it was/is a small plant, had 3 canes I think, but listed as bloom size, and did arrive with a couple buds on it (the seller you were looking at - it's possible the plant is bigger ? tho the sellers in Hawaii, like Lowes, frequently do have fantastic prices, but shipping can be higher - sometimes just a bit higher, sometimes a lot)

The Mingle's Sapphire, I actually saw on ebay - I had bid a few times on one, and always lost the auction, so finally I just went to the seller's website and bought it from there, as the price there was very good. It, too, was/is a small plant, two canes when I got it, I think ? listed as a large seedling, but expected to bloom within a year - and I got it spring 09, and it did bloom the next spring, and is blooming and in bud again now. I've been very happy with it!

wow - I looked for the victoria-reginae under species a-d, guess I just didn't look well enough I'm trying to figure out what mine wants to get it to bloom I'm thinking maybe where I have it (outside) doesn't get enough light in winter - this time of year and thru fall that spot gets pretty good light - but with the angle of the sun in winter, it doesn't get much at all. So, I 'm thinking next winter to either put it in the same windowsill as the Mingle's Sapphire, or find a sunnier spot outside for it, and see if I can't coax some blooms from it.

Oh! I have to check out that cym!
I can't wait to see your pix! I'm quite happy to enable your orchid addiction

You're hubby sounds awesome!

[scy]

Oh I'm so excited and can't wait to get the orchids in! The den victoria-reginae was not easy to find. I had to scroll all the way to the right to see the other column.

Even with shipping for the den victoria-reginae, it came up to around $20? That's still cheaper than anywhere else I found for non-blooming. The fact that this was for blooming size was really a bonus!! I looked on AOS's culture sheets and didn't find this one listed, so I did a search in google for "victoria-reginae culture" and came up with this link: Orchid of the Week Library: Dendrobium victoria-reginae I hope getting more sun will yield better results for you.

I did think about getting the Mingle's Sapphire, but couldn't wait for another orchid to bloom. I'm waiting on a Phal Sogo Grape that's not blooming size and the cymbidium I have sitting on my windowsill (cymbidium insigne) is a backbulb with leaves only 12". Yesterday, I spoke with someone at a nursery about the cymbidium Chen's Ruby 'Golden Tiger' and found out I won't see a bloom on my own cymbidium until it grows 2-3 more bulbs. DOH!!! So of course, I decided I couldn't wait that long and bought the Chen's Ruby earlier today. It is blooming size and in an 8" pot. He said it blooms in July - August. This is a picture of what it should look like when it blooms: Cymbidium Chen's Ruby 'Golden Tiger'. He also said that the blooms have a citrus smell.

Now I have to wait until the other orchid place is open so I can ask them questions about den goldschmidtianum before I purchase this one. I couldn't find an affordable one at blooming size, so I'll have to be patient and wait for this one.

Thanks for helping me with my orchid addiction!!

[WhiteRabbit]

awesome!
yeah - I know what you mean about not wanting too many that aren't yet bloom size.

that cym is gorgeous!

can't wait to see the pix