dendrobium nobile: only grows keikis, no flowers

[headbanger333]

Hi there,
I have had my nobile for 2 yrs and, in spite of me withholding nitrogen and water over th winter, it is once again growing keikis only. I understand that this can happen if too much nitrogen is applied, but that is not the cause in this case. The 20 keikis were welcome last year as I ongrew them, but there is a limit and I really want the purple and white flowers. Any thoughts?
Cheers, Kathy

[rbarata]

To avoid keikis and increase flower production you should stop adding nitrogen around mid august, ie in the middle of the summer in N hemisphere.

[will1986]

Are you giving them lots of sun, and a cool period in the fall? These like lots of sun. I grow mine outside from May until late October or early November, and they get eight hours or so of direct sun every day.

[headbanger333]

Yes, they are outside all year under polycarbonate roofing, open-sided. Good light all year.

---------- Post added at 04:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:42 PM ----------

Thanku all for yr input. It was helpful. In case they were not getting quite enough sun, I have moved them to an even more sunny position.

[bil]

I had two D nobiles, identical treatment, one covered in flowers no keikis and the other had keikis and no flowers.

[headbanger333]

Thanku all, it seems they are prone to pleasing themselves, in spite of best efforts! My 20 keikis from last year are growing well. It will be roulette as to which ones flower and which don't. Kathy

[Fairorchids]

Den nobile culture:

I prefer small clay pots (for top heavy plants) with spaghnum/bark mix. I have seen them grown in all bark/perlite mix, as well as other combinations.

• Depending upon location, bring outside after last frost. Harden in light shade for abt 1 week, then into full sun.
• Water well through mid Oct, then cut back abt 90%.
• Fertilize regularly (every 2 weeks, or VERY weak solution every watering) from March through August (Sept 15 absolutely latest date).
• Place plants as bright and cool as possible. Water only if they start looking desiccated. Ideally leave out till close to first frost (they need cooling off to initiate buds), but protect against fall rains. If they get water at the wrong time, they produce keikis.
• Resume watering when buds develop.
• Resume fertilizing at the same time.

Tip: If they get too tall, pluck the center leaf from the new growth. That stops the cane from lengthening, and it does not jeopardize the plant health or ability to flower.

[headbanger333]

Wow! That is gr8 info. Many thanks from me in New Zealand.

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by headbanger333

Wow! That is gr8 info. Many thanks from me in New Zealand.

Obviously, south of the equator you have to reverse the months/seasons.