How much can I do for this Orchid?

[M_Prisco]

I have an orchid that someone gave me as a gift. I had never owned one before but really liked it, so I re-potted it and kept it. I've always wanted to grow orchids, as my grandmother has many on her back patio that do very well, but I've never had an appropriate place to do it. This plant has just been sitting on my balcony, getting morning sun and shade the rest of the day. It is quite warm here in FL, so I'm afraid i may be overheating it by leaving it outside, even in the morning.

I have no idea what kind it is.

Current substrate is orchid moss with stones in the bottom for drainage purposes. I keep the substrate moist.

Let's see.. it's just now getting blooms after being dormant for over a year. Don't know what the flowers will end up looking like in terms of size and quality as of yet.
like there are some dead parts of the plant that need trimmed/pruned/what-have-you. The leaves are also an interesting purple color, but I don't think that's necessarily the color they're *supposed* to be.
The section where the blooms are coming in is sticking straight out from the plant. It looks a little ridiculous!

I've attached a couple photos of what the plant is looking like... Please advise! I would love to get more orchids, as I'm moving into an apartment with great windowsill space on the eastern side. But I would love to breathe new life in to this one if at all possible.
I feel like I need to know more about them first, which is why I am here. Thanks in advance!

[Hedge]

I think it is a dendrobium of some sort, it looks like it's about to flower. The very dark colouration of theleaves could indicate too much direct light. It looks like it might be a D. phalaenopsis type and this is a culture sheet for that type of orchid Dendrobium Species Culture.

I hope this helps and welcome to the addictive hobby that is orchid growing!

[Leafmite]

These can bloom from the leafless canes so don't remove those unless they turn brown.

[Connie Star]

I agree with Hedge. It looks like a Nobile type dendrobium.

[Connie Star]

And by the way, welcome to OB!

[Wynn Dee13]

Welcome! It is most likely a Dendrobium hybrid. Those 'Dead' parts you talk about are not dead. They are older psuedobulbs also called canes. They feed the plant and serve a purpose so do not cut them off. If they turn completely brown and dry up you can take them off but it will probably take a long time for them to do that.

This type of Dendrobium is not a nobile Dendrobium. Nobile Dens bloom from the psuedobulbs nodes along the canes. They can also bloom from old canes. They look like this:
Dendrobium nobile hybrid

Your plant looks like a different kind of Dendrobium hybrid. It grows it's spike from the top of the new cane between the leaves. I don't think this type will flower from the old canes. Here is an example:Dendrobium hybrid

I don't know what color the flowers will be but it could be a dark color since your leaves have a purple pigment. Like someone else posted it is also from a lot of light.

Your flower spike might be growing like that because it was following the light. Next time you can stake it and train it upright. I don't know if I would do that now though since it might not go straight without breaking the spike.

This type of Dendrobium might only bloom once a year or it could more than that. It's hard to know unless you have bloomed it more or we knew what hybrid it is. By the way, did the plant come with a tag in its pot with a name on it? Also, when you first got it was it in bloom?

Congrats on your blooms! Post pics when the buds open. Good luck and you came to the right place to learn about orchids!

[Bud]

WELCOME! YOU CAME TO THE RIGHT PLCE>>>

I cant wait to see the opened blossoms of your Dendrobium...I just love them.