Phal Type Dendrobiums Debunking a Myth

[Junebug]

Recently I've noticed that some OB members are under the impression that phal type and antelope type dendrobiums will bloom from a single cane for only one season. I am happy to inform everyone that this is not true. As a matter of fact, I just discovered and was pleasantly surprised by a spike forming from a leafless, somewhat shriveled 3rd season cane. Here are a few photos showing new spikes emerging from canes with previous seasons growth and a cane broken while in bloom last summer also getting in on the action.

[camille1585]

That's awesome, mine never does that! I always have to patiently wait for the new growth to mature before I'll see some blooms. I wonder if this is a culture thing, or genetic?

[stefpix]

I would guess that has some Dnedrobium that reblooms from old canes in the parentage. It is an hybrid so it may happen I assume.

[natasha]

my dens can flower from completely different locations! some flowers in older canes, some in the new growth and some even while in keiki, or the flower infloresce become a keiki! some older canes can even flower many times and come out with as much as 3-4 infloresces!

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by camille1585

That's awesome, mine never does that! I always have to patiently wait for the new growth to mature before I'll see some blooms. I wonder if this is a culture thing, or genetic?

All of my dendobiums are exposed to heat, humidity, and many hours of fairly high sunlight. Their shade house environment provides some sun protection but it's still very bright and they receive more exposure than one might consider healthy. During their transition to the shade house I was concerned about them burning. I had even considered reworking the slat roof in order to provide more shade. I ultimately decided to leave well enough alone. The photo will give you an indication of how much exposure they receive growing on the west wall.

[RosieC]

My Den Polar Fire (a phal type) is currently in bloom from the same cane it bloomed from in 2008.

In 2009 it grew a new cane and bloomed from that late in the season, now in 2010 it is growing a new cane, but while that is growing the original cane is flowering again. I was really suprised when the spike started... but very pleased

[quiltergal]

I have one that is currently flowering for a third time from the same cane. I do think this tendency has something do do with the genetic makeup of the plant though.

[WhiteRabbit]

Cool! I just noticed a nubbie on a previously bloomed cane on a small den-phal - don't know yet what it's doing, but of course I am hoping for a spike

[Hedge]

I think that sunshine does help with reblooming - my phal type den bloomed from both old and new canes after being exposed to outside light levels last year. As we live so far north compared to you in the states, I think our Dendro's need all the light we can give them, especially us windowsill growers

[Junebug]

The age/maturity of the plant may also play a roll. These are bloom photos of my dendrobiums that have repeated spikes on a single cane for multiple seasons. All of them have lived under my care from 3 to 4 years. They're all noids.

I have 3 more phal type dendrobiums that have not repeated blooms from a single cane. They're all smaller rescues that are still in recovery phase. One of them has never bloomed.