A Tale of Two Dendrobiums

[Zabeta]

This is more of a "hm, that's interesting" post than anything else, but I thought it was kind of interesting, so maybe others will too.

I have two nobile-type dendrobium hybrids that I purchased from Trader Joe's at about the same time (a month apart) two years ago. Since then, they've received the exact same conditions and care.

Last year, they both bloomed at about the same time (a month apart, in keeping with their individual timetables based on when I bought them in bloom). This year, the first one started putting out buds and I expected the other to follow suit a month later.

But it didn't! One bloomed this year and the other one didn't, even though their care was exactly the same and they both bloomed on schedule last year.

I don't have much to say about it, except that it underscores the individuality of each plant. What works for one may not work for another, even if the recommendations for their care are exactly the same.

[bil]

Contrary plants.

If they don't bloom for me, I explain what the compost heap is for, and what happens to naughty orchids....

[charlesf6]

hmm, that's interesting. guess one is willing while the other is not.