Just brought home a Den. lawesii

[kmccormic]

I went to the MassOrchid society's show last weekend, and picked up a Den. lawesii! From J& L Orchids. It was so cute. Overall height is 11" including the pot, the longest cane is 9". It had one leafless cane, but that got broken (darn cats!) the pictures are from before it broke. The good news is, it was still in the original potting material, spaghnum moss, instead of my normal bark and husk mix, so it didn't make a mess. Score one for the moss!

What I like about these pictures is that they show the "reddish blush" the leaves can get when in higher light levels, a warning sign the light is at the upper threshold for the plant. I'd heard about it and now I can see it! One cane has the "blush" the other cane's leaves are perfectly green. The cane itself is a bright maroon color. The leafless blooming cane you can kind of see in the pictures has red coloring at the tip, and some green coloring at the joints, I guess that's how you can tell it isn't a dead cane. I have it in a south-east windowsill. It's behind a phalenopsis and in a mug to hopefully protect it from cats.

Any words of advice for this novice?

[Bud]

that is a really "cool" looking den.

[kmccormic]

Thanks Bud!

[WhiteRabbit]

nice find!

some basic culture info here: IOSPE PHOTOS

cool to warm growing, medium light, "a somewhat dry rest is needed in the winter so reduce slightly water and fertilizer until the onset of new growth in the spring"

[kmccormic]

Thanks Sonya!

Can anyone explain to me how these thin thin canes are pseudobulbs? How could I tell if I am under-watering it?

Since its deciduous, when would it normally lose leaves off the canes? Would they turn yellow and drop off or just pop off like some paphiopedilum flowers do? I'm trying to figure out when I should be concerned about dropped leaves. A couple leaves came off the two shortest canes, which were less than an inch high. At this early date I'm assuming that is due to adjusting to a new environment. No panic - yet

Thanks to everyone for your time and advice.

[glengary54]

Originally Posted by kmccormic

Thanks Sonya!

Can anyone explain to me how these thin thin canes are pseudobulbs? How could I tell if I am under-watering it?

Since its deciduous, when would it normally lose leaves off the canes? Would they turn yellow and drop off or just pop off like some paphiopedilum flowers do? I'm trying to figure out when I should be concerned about dropped leaves. A couple leaves came off the two shortest canes, which were less than an inch high. At this early date I'm assuming that is due to adjusting to a new environment. No panic - yet

Thanks to everyone for your time and advice.

kmccormic - Those are indeed psuedobulbs and that is exactly how they shouls look for this species. If you are under watering you will see obvious shrinkage in the bulbs.

Your plant's leaves will start to turn yellow over the winter, which coinsides with the dry season in it's natural habitat. It is not a good idea to "pop" off yellowing leaves from any plant, when you do you create an entrace way for pest and disease. Most plants will shed their leaves when they no longer serve a purpose. Just one other thing, your plant naturally grows in a pendulous manner and it will bloom on old bare bulbs (canes) for several years.

[kmccormic]

Seems my cats aren't eating this one. However, they knocked it over, so the old cane broke when it hit the floor. So I got it a heavy clay pot to sit in. Then two weeks later they bumped it, so the longest cane broke. I spotted it when I came home and propped it back onto the broken part, held it in place with the clip, and hoped for the best. A week later, the top cane is still just as wide or "plump" and no leaves have dropped. Although I think maybe the base is getting a little thinner. You can see the break directly below the clip.

Starting to feel a bit "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" with this little guy. "The third one burned down, fell over, then sank into the swamp. But the fourth one stayed up boy!

[Gage]

Originally Posted by kmccormic

Starting to feel a bit "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" with this little guy. "[I]The third one burned down, fell over, then sank into the swamp. But the fourth one stayed up boy!

LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!

[LadySoren]

Hi, searching the threads for Den Lawesii care. Found this one. I too wondered about the leaves falling off. Anything else I need to know? Watering?
This has been the most helpful thread so far. Wish there was more info.

[Optimist]

Buy a dog?

Just kidding.

But you may want to invest in a hanging system to keep them off shelving. I had 2 cats some years ago and nearly anything breakable on top of anything ended up broken. I now avoid cats in the house. Sorry, cats.

I thought the red blush was the plant telling you things were perfect, but don't give it any more light. I am actually moving my cattalyas to places where that blush occurs. One thing; there was a youtube video in Spanish from a woman talking about orchids in South America some where. While it was never mentioned, her plants were sitting right out on a table under a small cafe umbrella, in full sun and the leaves were bright red. It made me wonder if she was on the road to disaster, or if she was doing it right. I figured living in South America where these kinds of plants naturally occur someone there would have more intimate knowledge about what was safe for the plant. I have seen many plants of the catt alliance that are bright red or have bright red places on the leaves. I know you have a dendrobium, so it must require less light. I think they are supposed to be yellow/maybe a little red, and not forest or pine needle green.