Thelychiton speciosus

[smweaver]

Originally Posted by TheBlazingAugust

Oh MY! This is going to be an amazing display! I think it would be absolutely EVIL if you didn't show us pictures of it in full bloom!

I promise to post some pics of the blooms--and not be evil. :-)

[smweaver]

Buds have started to open. Should have a couple thousand blooms by the time all spikes have matured.

Dendrobium speciosum | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Dendrobium speciosum | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[RobS]

Can't wait

Could you please give some information how you grow it: temperatures, light, fertilization?

[alsorchids]

This should be impressive! I look forward to seeing it in all its glory. AL

[smweaver]

Originally Posted by RobS

Can't wait

Could you please give some information how you grow it: temperatures, light, fertilization?

Hi, Rob. Here's some cultural information (although this has been a very adaptable species, and it would probably do well in a variety of conditions):

Summer
Temperature: 27 - 35 C (day), 16 - 19 (night)
Humidity: 75 - 95%
Light: High (direct sun between 7 AM and noon, followed by approximately 30% shade from noon until dusk)
Water: almost every morning (but it is also growing in rocks, which makes it rather difficult to overwater)
Fertilizer: very little; perhaps .6 mls per 3.76 liters of water once per week (if I converted correctly; 1/8 teaspoon per gallon)

Winter
Temperature: 20 - 24 C (day), 9 - 13 (night)
Humidity: 50 - 65%
Light: High (as much direct sun as nature provides)
Water: 1 time per week
Fertilizer: same values as for summer

Hope this helps.

Steve

[RobS]

Thanks my parents have several specimens that unfortunatly don't flower as rich as yours. Trying to figure out why.

[smweaver]

Tell them to try abusing the plants a little (kidding!). Honestly, the more I pampered mine, the less blooms it produced. By "pampered," I mean that I grew it in a far less exposed position during the spring, summer and fall, and although the light levels were sufficient for cattleyas, they still seemed to be rather low for what this species appears to prefer. Now I grow the Den. speciosum with the cactis, where it gets only a minimum of protection from the sun, and then only during the middle of the day when the sun is directly overhead; mornings and afternoons are unprotected. The only other orchids I grow in these conditions are several plants of Rhyncholaelia digbyana.

[trdyl]

Well done Steve! It is a fabulous looking specimen. Are there any shows in your neck of the woods over the next few weeks?

[smweaver]

Ted, I'm not sure that there are ever any shows around here (at least not that I hear about). The big shows are usually in Chicago. Cincinnati's not too far away either. I might contact the AOS and ask them if they have a listing of shows that might be nearby within the next month.

[CTB]

I'll just call it A Beauty! Good Growing, what do you use for fertilizer on it?