Dendrobium Tosca 039

[charlesf6]

Does this look like it would be good for my collection? Price is right!

Dendrobium Tosca 039 Shiraz Ice 039 Orchid Plant | eBay

[estación seca]

This is bred from Australian species. This kind of hybridization makes for nice, sturdy plants that are easy to grow and flower in warm, bright conditions. The mericlones in the photo look healthy. They are not blooming size yet, but it is possible they might bloom next summer sometime, or the spring after that, with good care.

[charlesf6]

Would I use bark as the medium with this plant?

[estación seca]

You could. I have friends growing them successfully in LECA in regular pots, in LECA in semi-hydroponics (S/H) and I have mine in the New Zealand bark they came in from Sunset Valley Orchids. These become large plants with time (clustering, not tall) so mounting would work fine if you're prepared for the size.

[charlesf6]

Well was ready to pull the trigger but then I decided to check out their feedback:

Positive 1435
Neutral 5
Negative 3

Negative (3)

Sent sick plant that died, then sent a replacement that was doa. Not happy!

This plant was covered in scale when I received it, aka sold a dead plant to me.

did not arrive on time, product was dried and withered

Not too sure now, wouldn't want to infect mine and/or cannot afford to waste $

[estación seca]

3 negative reviews out of 1,443. Would you do as well with the people you've dated? And maybe those are from competitors who bought a cheap plant so they could post a negative review.

[Fairorchids]

Aussie Dendrobiums are very hardy. I grow mine in a mix of spaghnum and bark, but in clay pots.

They go outside in late April, into full sun. We water them twice a week and fertilize every 2 weeks.

No fertilizer after Sept 15 (till blooming is done). Reduced watering after Oct 15.

They stay out till Nov, unless we get a lot of rain. In that case I have to take them in to achieve the reduced watering.

They stay cool & bright till buds appear, with only an occasional splash of water.

They normally bloom in Feb/Apr. Thereafter full watering and fertilizing schedule.

NOTE: This is what works for me. At Santa Barbara Orchid Estate they grow them in granite nuggets. This means even more watering in spring/summer.

[charlesf6]

Full sun in April??

[estación seca]

I think these would easily take full summer sun outside in New York if acclimated to it gradually in the spring.

[charlesf6]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I think these would easily take full summer sun outside in New York if acclimated to it gradually in the spring.

that's funny! what makes them so different from the Phals?