Trouble getting kinganium to bloom...

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by greenpassion

Could this variety be grown indoors Year round? You carry them to the garage each night in winter?

The best person to ask about growing and blooming conditions would be Fred Clarke of Sunset Valley Orchids (sunsetvalleyorchids.com). He can also tell you which ones will stay on the small side. An important part of his breeding programs, in the various genera, is to come up with plants that will grow and bloom well in a variety of conditions. He has been spectacularly successful with that approach, and is very responsive to email inquiries.

[SaraJean]

Originally Posted by greenpassion

I think I'm going to go with E.S.'s advise and "put them to sleep"-but I will keep one to try again for a bit. Now I'll have to find some kind of orchid ( not phals!! I have 28 of them!!) to grow in that space....a southern window, temps around 65 at night in winter. I love dendrobuims but I would need ones that stay small. Oh yes, and of course, bloom for me😊

Why not try a little Latouria type like the Den. Mini Snowflake or Den. Micro Chip? I know that those do very well for windowsill growers and stay nice and small. Plus they can bloom their butts off with minimal work

[greenpassion]

I will definitely do that Roberta. Thank you!

---------- Post added at 06:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:32 PM ----------

Sara Jean I have always really liked the den.micro chip. Maybe this will be the one...

[fishmom]

Seriously, greenpassion, if you want keikis, I will keep you in mind when I repot later this spring. I always have a few, and if I have any that look like they will grow independently I will contact you.

[greenpassion]

Yes, I would love that. Thank you so much...😊

[estación seca]

Keep in mind Micro Chip and the other Latouria hybrids should not dry out, especially while growing.

[fooferdoggie]

mine tried to bloom it was inside the whole time but it did get to 56 at night. but it was mounted and most of the roots were outside the moss and the spikes all dried up.

[greenpassion]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Keep in mind Micro Chip and the other Latouria hybrids should not dry out, especially while growing.

Good to know. Thank you. 😊

[Maryanne]

Hello-

I posted this in 2014, so I'm copying here with my mis-spellings corrected:

I grow D. kingianum in a clay pot of rock chunks with a little bit of finer medium mixed in. It needs free drainage as it lives in Australia on cliffs near the ocean. It clings on to whatever is thinly covering the rocks. In summer, park it outside in full sun or near full sun. Water and fertilize it generously - you can't be too generous in the summer as that is the growing season. As soon as September rolls around, cut down, and when it cools leave it outside until you expect frost. Then, bring it into a cool but sunny area and cut water to near zero. Drastic. water lightly or mist. Leave it alone and after Jan 1 you can introduce a little more water - not much - once a week or less. When you finally notice some buds, then allow water once a week but not much. It (mine) thrives on neglect.
Also, look up on the internet the advice given by the late, great Wilford Neptune whose advice I've followed - worked for me in Massachusetts.
https://massorchid.org/Resources/Doc...ltureNotes.pdf

Also, the kiekis are easy to start by standing them in small pots of coarse gravel. I've given away several to orchid society members who volunteer to write an article for the society newsletter. : -)
Best of luck
ML

[greenpassion]

I appreciate your response Marianne. But I am unable to give them a cold sunny winter. I can bring them into the garage or my mud room at night when it's dark, but they have to live and a 68 66 degree Southern windowsill during the day through winter. I'm going to try other types of dendrobiums. I do have success with oncidium, and I have a Jerry Pacific Empire wishes very very well for me. It's just these that give me problems