Dendrobium lanyaiae

[MJSK]

I got a Dendrobium lanyaiae that is mounted on a stick in January. There were no leaves on the plant. Since that time I have watered it under the faucet every other day, sometimes just misting and on hot days every day. At the end of February, it started to grow another psuedobulb with a few leaves. A couple of weeks ago the leaves started to turn red and eventually brown and have since fallen off. Also a couple of weeks ago, two growths appeared out of the side of the largest (about an inch and a half long) psuedobulb. Today it appears as though these growths have flower bulbs. I am concerned about the leaves falling off the new very underdeveloped pseudobulb. I realize the plant is deciduous, I hope it grows some new leaves for the summer. Any suggestions?

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[Chubidubi]

Under what conditions are you growing it?

[MJSK]

It is currently in our 'greenhouse' which gets sun mid morning through afternoon. (It is really a sun room one the side of the house so it doesn't get sun all day.) The outside of the glass on the roof filters some of the sun so it doesn't get direct sun, but it is bright. It is with about 30 orchids, directly above a humidity tray, I don't know the exact humidity. The greenhouse has been the temperature of outside which aside from about 4 days up into the 90's has been 60's, 70's and 80's sometimes down to 50's in the evening.

[Chubidubi]

I think that you are giving it to much water. I looked all over the net for info on it and couldn't find anything. Maybe someone else might have better luck.

[MJSK]

I suppose I should maybe just mist. I thought the orchid would flower before growing leaves, hopefully it will grow another pseudobulb following the flowers. Thanks for the response.

[Orchonubee]

I believe this beautiful orchid is correctly, Dendrobium lamyaiae Plant grows in cool to warm temperatures with medium amounts of light. Keep plant moist and fertilize during growth season. During winter reduce watering until new shoots appear. Grow in a well drain mix of sphagnum moss or medium fir bark. Chubidubi's assessment is probably correct.

[MJSK]

I had been trying to keep the plant moist by literally holding it under the tap at the sink to get it thoroughly wet and then letting it dry for a day or two. Perhaps this isn't the best way to water the plant as the loss of the leaves could be due to over watering as Chubidubi.

[Ross]

If I am correct, the plant has been getting too much sun initially. My D. anosmum, which likes to go totally dormant, has all water/fertilizer withheld from end of October till it starts sending out flower buds and new vegetative growths. At that time I introduce water like twice a week. It sits in a south window and the new growths turn totally red. Then they slowly accustom to the light and go to light green. The flower buds develop then once the flowers fall off the vegetative growths take off. They stay green. I give daily waterings at this point. Mine right now are approx 12" long.

[MJSK]

My Dendrobium lanyaiae had wintered in a south western window and was moved into our sunroom - which is faces south west so it could also be getting sunlight through from the top, so the increase in sun must be the reason. I hope it grows another pseudobulb after it flowers. I think I may have watered it too much during the winter. It is hard not to water with concerns of too much drying out due to the dry air from central heating during the winter.