Dendrobium nobile keikis

[theorchidapartment]

This summer, I rescued a very sad Dendrobium nobile that had one healthy cane and a bunch of rootless canes with keikis. (Potted in soil, oof!)

The first question I have is about a winter rest for the single healthy cane. The plant it came from was definitely blooming size, but will a single survivor cane bloom? And if not, is there a benefit to watering less and stopping fertilizer? It was young enough for its roots to survive the soggy media and its roots continue to grow in a new pot and bark mix.

The other question is regarding the keikis: I've separated some of the more developed ones from their canes and am interested in mounting them. They range in size from 2–4" tall and are in a small container with sphagnum moss, taking up valuable shelf space!! I finally got some cedar grilling planks to use as mounts and am wondering how small I should cut the boards, whether I should mount the keikis pendant or upright, etc.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

[estación seca]

The single cane might flower next spring if it hasn't already. But if you're still fertilizing it now, that might prevent it flowering next spring. You're supposed to stop fertilizing right after midsummer. Dry rest isn't what triggers flowers; cool nights is what produces flowers. If it doesn't flower next spring, it might flower in spring 2022 with proper 2021 care.

Yamamoto Dendrobiums used to have a great information sheet on their Web site. They closed their Hawaii nursery and the information disappeared. But thanks to the Wayback Machine at archive.org we can dig up the old information. Also click on Hints:
General Care

Going into fall/winter is the wrong time of year to repot Dedrobium nobile hybrids. They're not going to have time to make many new roots before winter. Also, it's very hard to keep any mounts alive in a centrally heated, dry apartment in winter without a terrarium. They dry out too fast. I would recommend you pot up all the keikiis together in one pot for now, using the medium of your choice. Small bark works well. Repot them when they start growing again next spring.

Oh - next time you want cedar, go to a home improvement or lumber store and get a single cedar fence slat. You can cut it easily with a hacksaw, or have them cut it up for you. Likely far cheaper than cedar cooking planks.

[My Green Pets]

ES - here's their current Japanese site run through Google translate: Google Translate

I can provide the chilly night temperatures but my day temps are still warm. Will that make a difference?

[theorchidapartment]

Thank you for that informative post!

Originally Posted by estación seca

You're supposed to stop fertilizing right after midsummer. Dry rest isn't what triggers flowers; cool nights is what produces flowers.

I think this cane only matured in the last few weeks and I only have fertilized it two, maybe three times since...? So I'll stop fertilizing, give it cool nights, and cross my fingers.

Yamamoto Dendrobiums used to have a great information sheet on their Web site.

Thank god for the Wayback Machine! This is awesome and the cooling timeline on the hints page is especially helpful.

Repot them when they start growing again next spring.

This is helpful to know. I have some keikis still growing on a cane in my terrarium that seem quite happy, so I'll leave them be until springtime.

Oh - next time you want cedar, go to a home improvement or lumber store and get a single cedar fence slat.

I actually saw this recommendation on here, but grilling planks were what I could find at my local hardware store and get home in my backpack! Gotta adapt everything to city living. They weren't too expensive, fortunately.

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by My Green Pets

ES - here's their current Japanese site run through Google translate: Google Translate

I can provide the chilly night temperatures but my day temps are still warm. Will that make a difference?

I don't know for sure, but probably. They flower in my sunroom, right against the glass, where it is probably below 50 F / 10C at night in winter, and a lot warmer in the daytime.