Dendrobium cuthbertsonii - Orchid Board

Duane McDowell · #1 02-01-2011, 10:47 PM

This has got to be one of my favorite orchid species. Big flowers on tiny plants, great color varieties, and flowers that last up to six months each.
These were grown by Ecuagenera at their main (cooler-growing) nursery in Gualaceo, Ecuador (near Cuenca).
I haven't grown my own plants for very long, so I'm not sure if I'll be successful. They look great so far...
From what I understand, they like constant moisture, high humidity, intermediate light, and cool to intermediate conditions. The most successful growers recommend removing any buds and blooms that are on the plant in December to allow the plants to recover from all that blooming!

Daethen · #2 02-01-2011, 11:41 PM

Very nice. I thought these were supposed to be hard to grow, but what do I really know. I hope you do well with them.

Duane McDowell · #3 02-01-2011, 11:46 PM

I think they're hard to grow without the right conditions. I grow mostly miniature pleurothallids, so I'm watering daily and I keep the humidity quite high. So far, so good!

Daethen · #4 02-01-2011, 11:47 PM

Good to hear. They are just beautiful. I like the foliage on the cuthbertsonii.

ronaldhanko · #5 02-01-2011, 11:51 PM

Duane, I've been told to give them very high light - I have mine right up to the T5 HO bulbs and that seems to be working well for me. They're growing vigorously and blooming. I like your advice about removing blossoms and buds and think I'll do that from now on.

Duane McDowell · #6 02-01-2011, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronaldhanko

Duane, I've been told to give them very high light - I have mine right up to the T5 HO bulbs and that seems to be working well for me. They're growing vigorously and blooming. I like your advice about removing blossoms and buds and think I'll do that from now on.

I got that note from Tom Perlite at Golden Gate Orchids and also from another grower who has gotten a couple of CCMs on them (I have, regrettably, forgotten his name).

You grow them well, so I'd be hesitant to recommend anything other than what you're doing for light - I'll move mine up a little higher - thank you!

SOS · #7 02-02-2011, 12:03 AM

I was at Golden Gate Orchids last month where most of the oxyglossums are grown. The biggest issue I saw with leaving the flowers is that they are more susceptible to deteriorate towards the end and give way to rot. I have no problem leaving them to the end and blooming them well next season. I do get them off as soon as they look like they are going to fall off.

I've got some neat clones that are off season coming into bloom soon, will try to post pictures of them.

Duane, was it Ron Parsons? He grows them quite well.

Duane McDowell · #8 02-02-2011, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOS

I was at Golden Gate Orchids last month where most of the oxyglossums are grown. The biggest issue I saw with leaving the flowers is that they are more susceptible to deteriorate towards the end and give way to rot. I have no problem leaving them to the end and blooming them well next season. I do get them off as soon as they look like they are going to fall off.

I've got some neat clones that are off season coming into bloom soon, will try to post pictures of them.

Duane, was it Ron Parsons? He grows them quite well.

I don't think it was Ron... I'll have to look it up.
I really look forward to seeing your pictures. The only plants I have are a couple of small seedlings that I got from Dan Newman at Hanging Gardens. They seem strong and happy in the terrarium. I look forward to expanding my collection of cuthbertsonii once I'm sure they do well for me!

SOS · #9 02-02-2011, 12:15 AM

I have one from Dan, hes got a lot of wild ones. They don't grow as fast or as well as Tom's line bred ones in my opinion. On the other hand they do have a lot of neat variance.

Duane McDowell · #10 02-02-2011, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOS

I have one from Dan, hes got a lot of wild ones. They don't grow as fast or as well as Tom's line bred ones in my opinion. On the other hand they do have a lot of neat variance.

I was thinking about buying some from Tom, but stopped short of pulling the trigger. Looked like ordering all 4 varieties would get the shipping per plant down to a manageable cost, but then it was a big commitment for something I'm not totally sure I can grow successfully yet. Probably this spring.