Australian Dendrobiums the Big Show

[Roberta]

Now pretty much at the peak for the temperate Australian Dendrobiums. In the Ausie Den photo, on the left is a small Den. speciosum (unknown variety), center foreground is Den. Specio-kingianum (Delicatum), behind it is Den. Australian Artist, and behind that is Den, Benizuru Treasure (the pink one). And to the right, Den. speciosum var. grandiflorum (with 20-24 inch/50-55 cm) canes. Then some closer views. And Den. x-ruppiosum, the natural hybrid of Den. jonesii x speciosum.

[PuiPuiMolcar]

I love your collection, I'm in the middle of arranging my collection on the table and I will take pictures as soon as most of them are blooming. Aussie den truly are blessed orchid here in Socal

[Clawhammer]

Amazing collection! Hope that I can have a show like this one day in the future when mine mature. An inspiration

[Roberta]

Thanks! For me, it's the climate advantage.(Location, location, location!) It's a luxury, for sure, to be able to just put them out in the back yard and pretty much ignore them. My hat is off to growers like you who create orchid paradises indoors because nature is not cooperative.

[smweaver]

I'm walking with the laptop out to the sunroom, Roberta, to show the photo of your grandiflorum to my two grandiflorums, in the hope of shaming them into blooming. Magnificent display of flowers you have.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by smweaver

I'm walking with the laptop out to the sunroom, Roberta, to show the photo of your grandiflorum to my two grandiflorums, in the hope of shaming them into blooming. Magnificent display of flowers you have.

Thanks! It took awhile to get to that point... I got it as a 2-cane division in 2007. It boomed a couple of years after that, but new canes take 2-3 years to develop, only recently has it really developed into a seriously robust plant. Which is so top-heavy that I have a stake in the pot tied with a wire to one of the vertical supports of the shade structure. So be patient! This is no jackrabbit.

[Leafmite]

Just beautiful!
I am envious that you can just leave them outside. One year I tried to give my Dendrobium kingianum orchids a cool period (as they would never bloom) and they did not survive the attempt even though I followed the recommendations. It is really wonderful to see how beautiful your Dens. are with the right climate.

[smweaver]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Thanks! It took awhile to get to that point... I got it as a 2-cane division in 2007. It boomed a couple of years after that, but new canes take 2-3 years to develop, only recently has it really developed into a seriously robust plant. Which is so top-heavy that I have a stake in the pot tied with a wire to one of the vertical supports of the shade structure. So be patient! This is no jackrabbit.

Yes, if nothing else these two plants have taught me patience. Here are two photos of them as very small seedlings in 2-inch Aircone pots, when I imported them from Australia in 2016. And here they are today, not quite adults, but looking nothing like they did when they were babies. One day, perhaps I'll see some blooms. For now, your plants give me something to look forward to.

[Roberta]

Those "babies" look great! They look pretty grown up. But if they're v. grandiflora they do still need to do some growing. With any luck, you won't have to wait toooo much longer.

[isurus79]

Wow, such a great display!! I bet the scent is intense.