Advice on growing Den aggregatum

[Orchidreamer]

I love the flowers of Den. aggregatum (or lindleyi, which is, I believe, the official name). I want to buy one, but I've heard that it is hard to grow. I do not have the "perfect" growing conditions (like a greenhouse or growing under lights)--I grow my orchids on the windowsill. What kind of conditions does it like? What exactly makes it hard to grow? Do you think I should get it? Thanks for any advice.

[nutgirl]

Hi,

In my opinion Dendrobium aggregatum is not difficult to grow. I've grown mine on the windowsill for several years.

Mine likes lots of bright light, warm temps, lots of water in the growing season and very good drainage (mine is mounted on a piece of wood or some just put them in wooden baskets bare root)

What is different about them is that they like a dryer cooler period in the winter. I drop the watering back to once every 4-6 weeks from Nov to Feb (or when I see bloom spikes) and no fertilizer during that time. I do give it bright light all year.

Mine blooms reliably each spring.
There are probably other variations depending on the growing conditions of others but this works for me.

Maureen