Noid Dendrobium Care

[Pumpkin92]

Hi again, since it’s been a long time since I've been here. So I bought a dendrobium at Lowes yesterday. It was on a whim and I really didn't think it through, but all the dens had broken spikes and I didn't want to miss an opportunity to get one in flower.

It didn't come with a tag, but I found out it’s probably an antelope type hybrid. I started to do a little research because its bone dry and I know some dens need rest periods. Well that's where I got down right confused. I read that there are Australian and New Guinea type antelopes and some need a dry period and some don't. There's so much info on all the types of dens that my head hurts.

So far, I've only been able to grow phals successfully. I've killed all the oncidiums (+1 zygo) that I've tried. I have one oncidium left and a paph. I really want to successfully grow something that's not a phal.

My questions on the dendrobium are: how to water, when (if) to repot and does it need a winter rest? And if anybody has any helpful links I'd love to see them! Thanks!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/619534...in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/619534...n/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/619534...n/photostream/

[mexicowpants]

Can't help you on the care front, but nice find! I wouldn't have been able to resist, either!

[Roberta]

I can't help on the care specifics much either, but that is a beauty. Since it is probably a hybrid, the details for the species for the different locales probably won't be relevant either. These (and also phanaenopsis-type Dens that have a similar growth habit) want more light than a Phal to bloom, but temperature about the same - the same temps that you like in your house. I don't think I'd worry too much about a rest period - with those lovely green leaves, the plant does not look like it wants to slow down at all. Let it dry out between waterings, if it is in moss repot into something that drains better, like small bark. Otherwise, I don't think that it will be all that fussy. If the house is cool and the winter light not so great, cut back on the water and fertilizer on general principles, but not a lot. In the spring it could move outside (but probably wants some significant shading in your hot summers... if it is hot and dry, then more water) I suspect that you'll be better able to give it the light that it wants outside when the weather is suitable, but in the winter, definitely in the house.

[estación seca]

Wow, that's beautiful! I do think it's an antennatum hybrid. also called antelopes.

El Centro is pretty hot during the summer. Many Oncidium and Zygo hybrids would struggle with that. Other Oncidiums and other orchids should do just fine. Is there a nearby orchid society with El Centro members? I would check them out. (I bet you come home with some free plants!)

This kind of Dendrobium hybrid does well with year-round watering, fertilizer and warmth. Let it get almost dry between waterings. During the coldest part of the winter you can water and fertilize it less, but don't let it stay dry for more than a day or so. If you have a warm winter, keep watering and fertilizing. It might keep pushing new growths all year.

[Pumpkin92]

Originally Posted by mexicowpants

Can't help you on the care front, but nice find! I wouldn't have been able to resist, either!

Thank you! I’m happy to know I’m not the only one who would’ve cracked under pressure.

Originally Posted by Roberta

I don't think I'd worry too much about a rest period - with those lovely green leaves, the plant does not look like it wants to slow down at all. Let it dry out between waterings, if it is in moss repot into something that drains better, like small bark. In the spring it could move outside (but probably wants some significant shading in your hot summers... if it is hot and dry, then more water) I suspect that you'll be better able to give it the light that it wants outside when the weather is suitable, but in the winter, definitely in the house.

I’m so happy to hear it won’t be as fussy as I thought it would. Luckily It looks like it’s planted in coarse bark with some perlite (hopefully there isn’t a plug in it). I got really excited when I first thought it might have Australian origins. I’ve always wanted to grow an orchid outside since I’m running out of space inside. I still might try it come spring and if it starts getting toasty, I’ll bring it back in.

Originally Posted by estación seca

This kind of Dendrobium hybrid does well with year-round watering, fertilizer and warmth. Let it get almost dry between waterings. During the coldest part of the winter you can water and fertilize it less, but don't let it stay dry for more than a day or so. If you have a warm winter, keep watering and fertilizing. It might keep pushing new growths all year.

Well warmth is no problem here, that’s for sure. I found that out when my brand new zygo turned yellow then brown within 2 weeks… How can I tell what a warm winter for it will be? My indoor winter temps are hi 70F/lo 62F. Is that warm enough for it to keep growing? Oh and unfortunately, my valley has no orchid society. I’d have to go to San Diego. They have a free winter show end of January that I’m trying to go to.

I have a couple more questions though if anyone can answer. Can I repot this into leca (not S/H)? Most of my phals are in leca and I like it better than bark. Also, there are 4 canes but I can’t tell how they are connected or what direction they’re going. The photo I attached looks like new growth, but is it from the flowering cane? Is it normal for it to produce new growth when in flower?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/619534...in/dateposted/

[bil]

Nice plant. I think I would have grabbed it too.

I have been running an experiment this year with mounts. Basically, after the first went well, I put more and more on, until I snapped, and now the question I ask of an orchid is 'Why can't it go on a mount?"

I tried the hard cane den phal crosses, which are quite like yours, and they reacted enthusiastically. Mine are hanging mounts, with the orchids tied onto forked orange branches with a pad of moss as a water reserve, but there is no reason why you couldn't mount yours on a piece of aquarium wood ad stand it in a tray when you water. It will need watering more but that gives you an excuse to look at your plant, check for roots and pests and it also looks way more aesthetically pleasing than it ever does in a pot.

[Roberta]

Indoor temps should be fine. When it warms up in the spring (once nights get above about 50F/10 C), I think that outside will be no problem - if shaded (so that you don't fry leaves) it should handle outdoor temps even in the worst of the summer, win plenty of water.. If you mount, you're going to have to be concerned with water, though... humidity is typically very low Bark, I think, will hold more moisture than LECA.

[estación seca]

Also, I wouldn't repot now, even if it's growing. Wait until it's warm to hot and it's growing.

My Dens on mounts do grow well, but not if I forget to water them for more than a day or two. If you have the time to water daily during hot weather you can try that. Many antelope hybrids get very big, but others don't.

Dendrobiums in hot, dry climates do well in semi-hydroponics, sometimes abbreviated S/H. There is a whole forum here devoted to that, and you have all winter to read about it. There is also a huge amount of information on the First Rays Web site.

[Pumpkin92]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Dendrobiums in hot, dry climates do well in semi-hydroponics, sometimes abbreviated S/H. There is a whole forum here devoted to that, and you have all winter to read about it. There is also a huge amount of information on the First Rays Web site.

I actually have my paph and oncidium in S/H and they're doing pretty well. Its only been 3 months though. I knocked over my paph the other day and was happy to see new roots in the pot. Thank you for bringing up the S/H working outside. I hadn't thought of that for some reason. I struggle to keep up with watering outdoor plants in summer so anything to extend my watering days would be nice. Even then I can already imagine S/H drying up pretty quick...

[SimStar]

Wos, so beautiful flower.