Dendrobium Questions ???

[lornaheath]

Hiya Folks,

You see the many, many flowered Orchid at the far end behind the purple flowers?

Well that's my Dendrobium.

Right well the questions I have . . .

Now that all the flowers have died on the full length of that stem, do I treat the stem as though it were a spike on another plant and cut it away?

I have two good stems growing anew and I'm not sure if I have to discard the main one?

It won't re-flower will it?

Thanks in advance for helping.

Lorna
x x x

[Silje]

DO NOT CUT THAT STEM!!!

That is a nobile type dendrobium and that cane is where the plant stores all its' reserves. Do not cut it until it is completely dried out and brown, which is hopefully not anytime soon.

Nobile dens can flower from old canes.

[lornaheath]

Oh Wow!! Thank you Silje.

That is something I had no idea about. I've never had one of these before.
At least I now know that this stem will start to turn brown and die off.

I won't have a mild coronary thinking I'm killing it and doing stuff wrong.

Thanks for the information Hun. '-'

Lorna
x x x

[Silje]

Sure thing. Sorry about the yelling, I just felt that I needed to stop you from something you were bound to regret.

Happy growing!

Gosh, these nobile dendrobiums are just amazing when they're in full flower! *sigh*

[lornaheath]

I just googled Nobile Dendrobiums since you told me that's what it was Silje. I really didn't know.

Now because of you I have a full 'looking after list' to work with.

You are good.

Thank YOU

Lorna
x x x

[NYCorchidman]

My favorite orchids, dendrobium nobile hybrids.

Old canes will only flower again only if there are unbloomed nodes left. Yours look like in full bloom from every node, which is how it should be if well grown. This means it will not flower next year, but that is normal and how it should be.

New canes will grow and mature this year. They will flower next spring.

These plants need a lot of light so along side phals may not be good enough unless your phals are getting maximum end of its light requirement.

One last but very (and probably most) important thing to know about this plant, they have to go through cool (or cold) period of about one month (or the entire winter to be natural) in order to bloom well, if at all.

If you keep it where it is all year around, you may not see flowers or just one or three at most.

You can leave the plant outside until frost (no idea about the climate in your particular area) comes in the late fall, or if you have unheated balcony, that's also great.

[lornaheath]

Thank you for that info Sir.

Every bit of it helps . I luvs this Forum.

The climate in my area is Rainy, Cold England. It won't be a problem to move this into the spare room to chill out for a month at Christmas time or just after. None of my Orchids would last very long outdoors in the UK.

Thanks so much for taking the time.

Lorna
x x x

[NYCorchidman]

That is great that you have a spare room for cool rest for this plant.

Yeah, winter rain will not do good for this plant.

It usually takes about two months in the cool temperature (at least below 15C, or lower the better) before you start seeing the flower buds developing.

It is best to leave the plant alone in the cool place and do its thing. then it will flower naturally in the spring.

If you want to see flowers sooner, then you can bring the plant into warmer room once you see buds are set. It will still take at least one month before buds grow fully and open.

Sudden temperature change may cause bud blast.

So you have to take a chance.

Good luck

[lornaheath]

Fandabidozi!!

I take it that while it's in the Cool room for the month or so I don't water it? Right?

I mean once the temps go that low you'd be lucky to get ME in the room. I think I was a Sun Goddess in a previous life! Heee heeee

Lorna
x x x

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by lornaheath

Fandabidozi!!

I take it that while it's in the Cool room for the month or so I don't water it? Right?

I mean once the temps go that low you'd be lucky to get ME in the room. I think I was a Sun Goddess in a previous life! Heee heeee

Lorna
x x x

No, you have to water it.
The main point of the cool rest is "cool" not dry.
You do want to water less though just because it is not in active growth modes and therefore use much less water.
Feel the weight of the pot and if it feels very light meaning nearly all dry, then you can soak the pot for a few minutes and wait until the pot dries again.
Depending on the weather outside and temperature in your spare room during the winter rest period, it can be somewhere from once a week or so.
Again, this is just an estimate so please go by the pot weight to determine when to water.
If it feels light, then water it good.

I doubt your spare room gets freezing cold, in which case, yes, no water at all as watering may then damage the roots.

I thought I was the sun goddess.
It is cloudy today and I'm not feeling too good.