Dendrobium growing cycle

[The Orchid Kid]

Can anyone shed some light on how these grow please. I bought some that were flowering at xmas, but I read they bloom in Spring?

On Dendrobiums how many canes grow per year? Do they flower on these new canes and not on old ones? I've read you leave old canes on, whether leafless of not, as they contribute to the vigour of the plant.

[violetta]

Hello Orchid Kid,
Dendrobium is a huge genus of orchids and your questions are too general. Check this topic:
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...endrobium.html
and if you know the type of the dens you bought, we can help you with them.

[The Orchid Kid]

One is Siam Jewel the other Thongchai Gold...pretty sure my two are phal or bigibbum types right? they spike from the top of canes.

[violetta]

Yes you are right. I grow mine warm and bright all year round without a winter rest.
When the canes finish blooming, new canes will grow from them and once mature, they'll produce spikes and bloom, and so on. This cycle could happen only once a year or 2-3 times, it depends on the plant.
I never cut any old canes unless they die, as they feed the new canes until they produce their own roots.

[The Orchid Kid]

thankyou violetta

You ever get spikes from old canes or just the most recently matured?

I had read that they need to go dry in winter and only water when new growths appear and then they become quite thirsty plants. You reckon I should just keep em going continuously like phals though?

A number of my new canes never got to maturity, but have lost their leaves - are they done for and will they leave up and flower?

[WhiteRabbit]

I don't know about all den-phals, but the few small ones I have spike on older canes as well as the new ones. Leafless canes won't grow more leaves. It's possible they may still spike.

I try to not allow my potted ones to dry completely while they are growing, but in winter allow them to just get dry before watering. The other is mounted and so always gets dry in-between watering.

[The Orchid Kid]

this is all great info for a newbie - thanks!

anyone got a simple trick to tell how dry the medium is?
I am using clear pots, which helps, but can not be sure how moist the centre is.

ta

[Ordphien]

Originally Posted by The Orchid Kid

this is all great info for a newbie - thanks!

anyone got a simple trick to tell how dry the medium is?
I am using clear pots, which helps, but can not be sure how moist the centre is.

ta

Use the skewer method.
Stick a wooden or bamboo skewer in the center of the pot and leave it there. When you think it's time to water pull it out and check.
I tend to water my orchids when the skewer isnt visibly wet but still slightly damp and cool to the touch...
You might have to adjust at what point to water based on your individual orchid. But the skewer helps.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Ordphien

Use the skewer method.
Stick a wooden or bamboo skewer in the center of the pot and leave it there. When you think it's time to water pull it out and check.
I tend to water my orchids when the skewer isnt visibly wet but still slightly damp and cool to the touch...
You might have to adjust at what point to water based on your individual orchid. But the skewer helps.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

I use skewers, too!

[The Orchid Kid]

great tip - cheers