Den. undulatum Bromfeldi 'Proebstle'

[luckygrower]

I won this large Den. in spike at our local society meeting. I was amazed when I saw the purple flowers, they are almost black. I have not had much luck keeping Den's alive but I'm going to try everything to keep this one healthy,any tips would be greatly appreciated.

[Junebug]

Nice plant! This type of dendrobium grows and blooms better if the roots are a little confined. They respond well to frequent waterings during growth and warm weather. Avoid potting mediums (like sphag) that retain moisture, because their roots will rot in soggy conditions. Beware of decomposing bark, as this too will cause root rot. Less frequent watering is required during non-growth periods. IMO less bark or chc, and more aerolite, charcoal, and lava rock or hydroton pellets is the key to a healthy root system. Keep in mind that the roots need to dry between watering sessions.

Older leafless canes still function as a source of energy for the plant and should not be removed until they are completely shriveled and yellow.

They require a good amount of sunlight for healthy upright cane growth and flower production, but should be protected from the direct rays of mid-day sun. Acclimate them slowly to increased exposure to prevent sun burn.

They grow well in warm/hot humid climates and should be protected from temperatures that dip below 45 degrees.

I hope this was helpful. Good luck with your new baby.

[luckygrower]

Thanks for all the information.
It was planted in lava rock when I got it, so I will leave it in there per your suggestion.

Thanks again for the info.

Mike

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by luckygrower

Thanks for all the information.
It was planted in lava rock when I got it, so I will leave it in there per your suggestion.

Thanks again for the info.

Mike

Your most welcome. Plain old lava rock is good too. All of my dendrobiums are exposed to the elements and most were converted to lava this spring. The majority of them have responded well to being grown in the rock and the added weight helps to stabilize them. These guys are notorious for tipping over if their pots aren't weighted. Lava needs to be flushed with water periodically to prevent deposit build-up.

[catwalker808]

luckygrower.

Nicely grown plant. Nice blooms.
However, I believe your plant is mislabelled; the flowers do not resemble Den undulatum at all. The plant & flowers seem to be some kind of intersectional den cross involving (at least, Den Phalaenanthe & Den Spatulata).

Den undulatum leaves are very short & round (not guite a circle, but a very short oval) & very close & tight together on the plant canes. The flowers curl & spiral (not as clean spirals as the antelope horns of the spatulata dens). Instead the Den undulatum flowers curl & especially the edges of the flowers have waves (or undulations). The colors also tend to be in the yellow range.

I have attached a photo of a spatulate den with its spiraled petals & sepals. I'm sorry, I don't have a photo of Den undulatum. But imagine wider curled petals with wavy edges. Den undulatum flowers are very distinctive in appearance. Your plant & flowers do not seem to be Den undulatum. You can google for photos of the species.

[Baz in Oz]

Mike, I like your plant and photos but I have to tell you that you don't have Den. undulatum.

What I suspect you have is Den. superbiens which is a natural cross between Den undulatum (now called discolor) and Den. biggibum.

The broomfieldii part of your name refers to an all yellow form of discolor.

Baz

[luckygrower]

That all of you for your comments and information.
I know very little about this plant, I just repeated the name on the tag in the pot. I guess I have a noid until I find the true name.

None the less I will do my best to give it what it needs to survive.

Mike