den cucullatum [aphyllum]: new growth. to water or not to water?? - Orchid Board

stefpix · #1 01-19-2010, 03:16 PM

Hi
my mounted Dendrobium cucullatum lost the leaves during a dry rest when i just misted. now I have watered a few times since the heat is blasting here sometimes.

I noticed new growth initiating on the now leafless canes [which are 15/20 " long]. a couple look like new canes but others that are purple I am not sure if it might be blooms or keikis / canes.

Should I resume watering more frequently? mist more? since the heat came up my Dendrobiums started growing new growth. I would like the cucullatum to bloom. If I water will it still bloom?

thanks

rastafouni · #2 01-20-2010, 08:26 AM

I think, but not sure, that your plant is on the way to bloom. Continue as before, Water a bit but not too much. Mist if the humidity rate is not high enough.

stefpix · #3 01-20-2010, 10:44 AM

Thanks for your opinion!
. in the winter here the humidity is low and the coco chips and moss can dry after one day with the heating. should I mist the canes too?
All my Dendrobiums, especially a small nobile started to produce new growth or blooms. Just notices a Den sulcatum producing small buds

rastafouni · #4 01-21-2010, 06:29 AM

In fact, I think you shouln't care too much about watering. In Thailand and in the wild, those kinds of Dendro don't get water for 4 months. Water only if you see that the canes are getting too dry. It can happen if the environement is not humid enough or if the plant is on sunny positions. For myself, I mist all the plant including the cane when I do it.
Restart normal watering when new growth appears in spring.

stefpix · #5 01-21-2010, 09:57 AM

Thanks but mine is in an apartment with central heating. so it can be almost 30 C at times and the humidity is low in the winter. SO if i dont water / mist it at all it will dry up.
Al the leaves dropped [hopefully it is normal] and i see some new growth nubs.

How cold does it get in the forest in Thailand when it is dry for 4 months?

rastafouni · #6 01-22-2010, 07:30 AM

Yes, it is normal that the leaves dropped. If not, the plantt will not bloom.
This plant is wildely distributed in Thailand so it is a bit difficult to say how cold is the weather during the dry season because the climate is quite different in the northern montains and in the south. But there is a drop a temperature form December to February everywhere. It can be cold in the Northern mountains but in Bangkok area, where this plant grows and blooms well, the temperature hardly goes below 18 C / 64 F at anytime of the year.

stefpix · #7 01-22-2010, 10:14 AM

What I was wondering is if it is normal the leaves drop from ALL the canes or should only the older canes drop leaves?
I have a smaller keiki that dropped some leaves but kept some leaves.
do the leaves fall because of the dryness? does it ever rain in thailand in the winter? what about morning dew?

do you have any photos of it in Thailand?

thanks for your answer

rastafouni · #8 01-23-2010, 07:21 AM

Usually ALL the leaves drop. With this kind of Dendro and many other plants (including trees), it is how they response and manage the dry season. They completely stop growing and the leaves drop because, in this case, leaves are a waste of energy.
The "dry" season starts in early December and until March, there is no rain or if there is, it is no more than one time a month. In March, it rains very occasionally. In April, then it rains this time quite heavy. Where I live in Bangkok there is very light morning dew.
Just make sure the humidity is high enough. If not and if you see the cane are getting dry, then water. Water large amount but one time is enough.
This pict of canes of D. aphyllum (left) and D. primulinum (right) in my garden. Complety leaveless and it is completely normal for this season.

stefpix · #9 01-23-2010, 11:00 AM

Philipppe
thanks for the great explanation.
I think my aphyllum is about to bloom actually.
the problem here is that in the winterthe humidity is low so I feel i need to mist once every few days, especially if the heat is on.

so every year your dendrobiums grow such long and new canes? as I do not think leaves will grow from old canes. can the same cane bloom 2 years in a row?
How long do your blooms last?

nancy · #10 01-23-2010, 05:32 PM

Hi Stefano - I agree with Philippe about the watering; I used to get feeling very sorry for these and would water 'just a little' and was often rewarded with new growths or keikis instead of flowers. Ignoring them totally from Halloween until flowering is guaranteed blooming; but my humidity is usually very high. Maybe someone in your same growing situation can comment on misting.
I have not forgotten that I have a couple of dendrobiums for you - when we are both in warm weather I'll send them!
Philippe, I see you have some flasks in the classified area - do you germinate seeds yourself? Formidable!
Cheers - Nancy