dendrobium won't bloom, and not sure why....

[imgliniel]

I live in southern california in eastern county San Diego. It is beginning to get to be summer, and it is very dry and easily in the 90's outside, so I am fairly sure putting it outside would be a surefire sunburn. Unfortunately my house is oriented that I only have south or north facing windows. I think the north facing front window may get a bit more direct/full sun but it is afternoon sun. That is about the best I can do inside. How easily do Dendrobiums sunburn?

[Call_Me_Bob]

OrchidWeb.com: Orchid Learning Center - Dendrobium Phalaenopsis Care. I found this article very very helpful. But them again, I'm in pa.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by imgliniel

I live in southern california in eastern county San Diego. It is beginning to get to be summer, and it is very dry and easily in the 90's outside, so I am fairly sure putting it outside would be a surefire sunburn. Unfortunately my house is oriented that I only have south or north facing windows. I think the north facing front window may get a bit more direct/full sun but it is afternoon sun. That is about the best I can do inside. How easily do Dendrobiums sunburn?

I have bloomed some orchids in a north facing window - haraella, odontioda, and a phal, as of yet, tho I am not sure if a north window is sufficient light for this type of Den. Certainly worth a try if there's nothing else - but on the window sill, very close to the window.

I am in San Jose, can be quite hot and dry here too in summer - I do have many orchids outside tho. Except for some plants that cooked in 100+ temps in afternoon sun, it hasn't been a problem. Even those were ok long term. A few to several hours of sun earlier in the day should be fine. Plants can burn if the amount of light is suddenly increased, so it's best to gradually increase the amount of light, and watch for signs of burning.

[orchid-flowers]

The name of this orchid is Dendrobium Hirota Compactum. It is a compact form of Dendrobium Phalaenopsis type.
The culture goes like this:
Temperature: the same as for Phalaenopsis orhids. It is temperature sensitive, so never allow the temperature to drop below 57 F
Light: preferably west or east windowsill, but can tolerate southern windowsill with some shading
Water: water thoroughly with lots of water, but then allow it to dry completely before watering again. After it flowers, stop to water for about three weeks. This is a sign for the orchid that it entered dry season. When you start to water it, regularly again, it is a sign for the orchid to start to grow.
Fertilizing: only during the time it grows
Substrate: I have it mounted or potted in pine bark. Make sure the chunks of bark are big enough, so that substrate can dry quickly – within 3 – 4 days

The main reason that this orchids do not bloom, is they are not receiving enough light. It is like more light means more flower spikes. Leafs can get a bit reddish, but be careful not to burn them with too much light.

I attached the picture of my Dendrobium Hirota Compactum

[Blueszz]

They certainly can bloom from old canes. Not sure if this is true for all hybrids but mine do bloom from old canes. From what I can see your plant needs more light, a bit of direct morning sun (even a bit away from the window) might just be enought to let it bloom once the new growth matures.

Nicole

[epiphyte78]

Welcome to the forum!

My orchid is a compact type similar to yours and it bloomed last year. It's been growing outside for a couple years but I neglected it because I always figured the Phal Dends weren't suitable for growing outdoors year around here in SoCal. I decided to place it near the very top of my 50% white shade cloth and it produced 2 spikes late in the year.

It seems like the trick to growing some of these outside is that they need enough warmth to complete their growth cycle and bloom before winter. It's warmer in the sun than it is in the shade so it's necessary to give them as much direct sun as possible...short of burning their leaves. Then again, it could just be that the increase in light results in an increase of photosynthesis.

My Phal Dend is mounted with a little moss and it currently gets drenched once every 3 days after the sun sets. The evaporation rates are lower at night. If I were to move it into more sun I'd have to water it every other day. During winter it will get watered maybe once every 10 days first thing in the morning...to give it the most time to dry out before it gets cold.

If you get a chance you should check out some of these resources...
Flickr for Orchid Growers Southern California
Facebook for Orchid Growers Southern California

Here's the best article on Growing Orchids Outdoors in Southern California.

[imgliniel]

Hello all!

Thank you everyone for the help!

What I am doing for now is this, it seems the concensus is that it needs more light. Considering it peaked close to 100 this weekend, I am scared to move it outside, lol. So for now, It stays in the south/eastern window during the day (I leave for work before dawn) but I moved it to the windowsill itself (turns out the sill is wide enough, yeah!). Then when I get home in the early afternoon I move it to the front room window before the sun comes through the window. So it then gets the 1-2 hours direct light in the evening. So it hould be getting at least 2 hours direct light, and probably closer to 4. I'll do this for a couple weeks and see if I see any improvement and report back.

[imgliniel]

HI ALL!

Ok, so now I am just officially confused. I have had it in my front room window, which is a HUGE north west facing window. Right now this time of year that window is getting about 2 hours direct morning sun and about 2 hours direct afternoon sun. I acclimated the plant, started by just letting it get the afternoon sun for a week, watching for burning, etc. I also got it some fertilizer for dendrobiums and started using a weak solution like every other watering. Well, the leaves got lighter (which is a good sign I know) and the tips got redish. The new canes leaves firmed up nicely and everything, but still no flowers. Then, just recently, the bottom leaf on the oldest cane with leaves started thinning and yellowing, and that cane started to look wrinkly. Then today, I look closely while watering, and I see what I am fairly certain is another new cane starting!

Ok, WTF, it must be happy if it is going to put out two new canes this year, but I still haven't gotten any flowers! I don't get it!

Does anyone have any ideas? (I'll take pics if anyone thinks that will be helpful).

[WhiteRabbit]

It may not be the right time for yours to bloom ? I'm not very experienced with den-phals, but one of mine bloomed in autumn last year. If yours is getting new growth now (mine are) - maybe when the new canes are mature.