My first dendrobium! What do I do??

[estación seca]

Root rot is generally caused by not enough air at the roots, not overwatering. Orchid roots in habitat exposed on tree branches may stay moist for weeks to months at a time.

[Leafmite]

I do not think the type or size of lava rock matters. My early orchids from Hawaii came in black lava rock and I have been using the red stuff because, initially, it was easier to find. In the days of old, the bags had 1inch to 2inch rocks as I also grew Standard Cattleyas but lately, I have been buying bags with 1 inch rock or 1/4 inch rock (I grow smaller orchids now). I have some Dendrobiums in both (I bought a bunch of small seedlings...no idea how they will look when they bloom). The rock that is a certain size tends to be more expensive but the rock for grilling and landscaping is quite cheap.

[aparnamane]

Hi Girl_With_An_Orchid,

I agree with Leafmite, as the lava rock size doesn't matter, just I have used Red once which is easily available in home improvement stores and also come in mixed size and also depend on the lot, I bought bags at different times from Homedepo, one came with large and medium mixed and another I saw it has bit small rocks so I bought that one and they are very cheap and working in my environment very well in semi-hydro for my almost 80% orchids (cats, Dens and most of phals). I usually use medium and large at the bottom of the pot with some charcoal pieces and small ones at the top for semi-hydro or water in the pot dish, a kind of self-watering setup.

I would suggest trying for one or two easy-going orchids if work for your environment.

Hope this will be helpful.

Thanks

---------- Post added at 08:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:48 PM ----------

Originally Posted by estación seca

This type of Den. fully matures a growth, then flowers from that growth. Sometimes older growths can flower, too.

That sounds great.

[greyblackfish]

Just giving a different perspective here but I keep mine in mostly straight bark that’s very chunky. I’m sure lava rock would keep better as it wont break down. In the summer I give it water almost daily. The largest pot is 5” terracotta. The rest are young and are in small plastic pots. They are quite resilient and easy to care for. I find that hybrids can withstand cooler temperatures than store bought phals do. Even 50F nights.