Dendrobium ID and care - Orchid Board

Calzoner · #1 02-16-2009, 08:36 PM

Hi all!

First off, I live in central FL and do my orchid growing in an East facing screened in porch. I've had this Dendro since last September and has since lost its blooms. I've kept this outside all winter (bringing it indoors when it gets chilly) and usually water once every week to two weeks. When I repotted this last year, it was compacted in husk (which I've read dendros enjoy). I left the root system in the husk and surrounded the rest in fir bark chips.

The far right and left branches grew very quickly last fall after the blooms fell off but have since stopped growing all together.

Can anyone help me ID this Dendro and give me some tips to help it rebloom this spring? I've only had my orchids since late last summer and am very determined to get these to reflower!

Thanks in advance!

camille1585 · #2 02-17-2009, 02:12 PM

Like I said in your other thread, I'll look at this thread too! I don't grow any Dens (they hate me and commit suicide) but it looks like you have a Phal type Den, based on the appearance and the fact that the spikes came out the top of the canes.
It looks like a happy plant! These types of Dens don't need a winter rest. Just carry on with water and fertilizer, watering when it dries out. I'm guessing that in Florida light from an east facing porch must be enough to rebloom it!

Maybe Den growers will be able to give better advice than me!

Sandy4453 · #3 02-18-2009, 07:52 AM

Even Dends that don't need winter rest, need a slowing down in their watering in winter...temps dictate the 'when'. I also grow on an east facing patio and go from about every 5 days (those in bark) in summer, to about every 2 weeks, in winter. (Latourias and Antelopes are watered a little more frequently in winter.) I very seldom fertilize this time of year. Beginning March, this becomes more routine.

And, even those that don't require a rest from their heavier care in summer weather, still go into resting themselves by slowing down in their growth, usually in winter. You should start seeing new growth very soon. I've just noticed a few new eyes on some canes, here so, they're just now beginning to wake from their winter rests.

I wouldn't do anything now but when you begin to see new growth and roots, I would suggest you re-potting this again into a smaller pot. Dends don't like a lot of room and the smaller the space, the happier they are.

Sorry, I can't i.d. this for you but I hope this helps...a little.

dr_dmd · #4 02-18-2009, 10:40 AM

I agree with Sandy. Her tips should give you good results. As for an identification, it would really be practically impossible without seeing the flowers, and even then, who would know whether it is a hybrid (most likely scenario) or a species? I do recommend an excellent book from Timber Press that recently came out. It is entitled Dendrobium and Its Relatives by Bill Lavarack and Wayne Harris. It costs about 23$ on Amazon and has lots of wonderful pics as well as great info on the various species, sections and history of this family of orchids. You will find it well worth the investment! Happy growing!

Don in CA

Calzoner · #5 02-19-2009, 12:48 AM

Sandy..

Since you have a similar growing environment as me, what do you generally do with your plants during the FL winter months? I kept a good eye on mine, bringing them inside whenever night temperatures got below 50ish..

Any other advise besides the obvious?

Sandy4453 · #6 02-19-2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calzoner

Sandy..

Since you have a similar growing environment as me, what do you generally do with your plants during the FL winter months? I kept a good eye on mine, bringing them inside whenever night temperatures got below 50ish..

Any other advise besides the obvious?

I'm not as diligent as you are Calzoner, bringing them in when the temps drop here. The couple of times it dipped into the low 40's and lower, is when I brought them in. These grow best in the spring and summer months and rest in winter...except the Latourias and Antelopes and I'm sure there are many others with different habits. (I've got a D. anceps that's been blooming all winter in low light so, it all depends on what kind of Dend.) These Dend Phals though are pretty reliable resters this time of year. Pretty dry inbetween watering in winter and no fert. until springtime. And don't be alarmed when the older and back canes lose their leaves now.