Dendrobium loddigesii - Quick Grower

[jiblylegs]

I got this guy last year in December from Hausermann's. Had a lot of fun growing this one, it is probably the fastest grower in my entire collection. It remains to be seen if I can give it a cool enough winter rest! I expect my room to be at coldest 60F later in the winter.

Before and after a year, thanks for looking!

[estación seca]

Good job!

[MN Tomato]

Hi jiblylegs,

just happened to see your post while browsing. I ALSO got one of those D. loddigesi from Hausermann, but in late Oct. 2023. It has not "done" anything since, which I sort of expected because I heard they have a winter rest. (Has not died though.) I have it up close to the double pane window which means it is 55-68 degrees depending on how cold it is outside.

Did yours show this suspended animation too or did it start growing right away? If so, when in the season did it start growing again?

Cheers, Susanne

[jiblylegs]

Hi MN Tomato,

I grow my plant indoors in a modified greenhouse cabinet. I control the light levels with grow lights and it is usually >60F in my grow space. This plant has always been actively growing for me, and I give it the upper level of its light needs. I never let it dry out completely during growth. I think these 3 things: warm temperature, high light, and consistent moisture will induce growing regardless of the calendar date.

I'm actually having a hard time inducing rest this year. I probably am not keeping it dry enough and the light levels may not be low enough for winter (if thats even a thing, it gets 10hrs of light a day with no supplemental natural light but it's quite bright light and still very active in growth).

[estación seca]

Like other similar Dens. it normally grows profusely during warm weather, then stops for the winter. In winter 6 weeks of night temperatures below 55 F / 13C induces flowering. They need much less water in winter but should get some occasionally.

[MN Tomato]

Interesting! Thank you for the quick reply. I wonder what the reason is for the difference in response. This one is also getting a lot of artificial light since in the winter the sun angle is too low and weak (it is a west window). The light is strong enough to color up the succulents next to it and it has started to get a slight purple tinge, so I figured that was enough.

The tiny cattleyas I got at the same time are starting to put out new roots for spring so I hope it will start showing some sign of growth. I was concerned about overwatering it, since i have never had a mounted orchid before. With the central heating on the humidity is in the 40s, so it dries out again in just a few hours, and I was not sure if it was safe to water it more than once a day. Maybe I will try a bit more.

[jiblylegs]

I keep it potted up to maintain moisture. As I understand, these would prefer not to dry out completely during active growth.