Dendrobrium from supermarket!

[gamistriotis]

My mother bought a dendrobium at a supermarket and I would like some advice on it's care since my experience is non-existing on dendrobiums. I am including some photos.



Thank you in advance.

[Lana]

Is it sitting in the pot without the drainage? The roots on top look dead to me. I'd un-pot it and check the roots. Then repot it into fresh medium. Depending on your growing conditions, you can mix bark, perlite, charcoal, sphagnum moss in different proportions. If your humidity is high, use more large bark and perlite/charcoal. If humidity is low, add some sphag to the mix to hold some moisture, and maybe a thin layer on top to help encourage new root growth. Also, make sure it's not wobbly in the pot after re-potting. New roots form on the new cane as it grows, but only if the plant is stable in the pot. Dendrobiums like to be pot bound, meaning you will need to select the smallest pot into which it will fit. If you have a plastic pot, you can add some rocks on the bottom for stability, or put that pot into a larger clay pot. Just make sure there's good drainage.
You have a new shoot, with is great! And overall the cane doesn't look bad at all.

[shadytrake]

Awesome looking plant! If you are interested in Semi-hydro, these types of dendrobiums do GREAT in semi-hydro.

By looking at the cane and the spike, it seems to be an antelope/spatulata type cross. These grow very fast in the spring and summer and they get big.

Like Lana said, take it out and wash off the old medium. If you want to try semi-hydro head on over to the s/h forum and check out the roots on these dendrobiums.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...eriment-2.html

Like Lana said...pick the smallest pot you can and since it will be top heavy because of the large canes, just set your pot inside a heavy clay pot to steady it. Make sure it is snug in its new pot or it will take much longer to establish.

If you repot now and cut your spike off, it may try to bloom again but for sure, it will bloom again next year. Full filtered sun (that means it likes sun but needs protection from the direct sun). Use a shade cloth or put on the patio with protection from direct sun.

These types love intermediate to warm temps in the summer. Mine routinely stay in the 80s during the day (with some misting cooling it down).

Winter - reduce watering (don't stop completely and no fertilizer). Do not let temps go below 55 if you have it in semi-hydro.

These dendrobiums are very hardy in my opinion so if they get a little dry in the winter, it will not hurt them. Just remember to give them a squirt now and then, and a good dunking every now and then when the weather is nice.

Spring - when new growths start popping out, water when the temperatures are nice. If a cold spring day don't water just because you have new growth. Wait until the temperature will be steady above 55.

Late spring-Summer - ENJOY the blooms and water/fertilize as needed. I use the MSU fertilizer for RO and occasionally I flush with Epsom Salts but it depends on your water type. The water here in Memphis comes from underground artesian aquifers and is some of the best water in the USA.

If you want to get really technical about your watering and fertilizing, there is plenty of information here and on Ray's website.

Orchid Growing Supplies Semi-hydroponics Hydroponics Orchid Books PrimeAgra

Good luck and enjoy those blooms! Looks like you got a good one!

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[gamistriotis]

Thank you for your amazing info!! To imagine that she bought it for $5! I have 14 phals that are doing great for the last 3 years but I guess i'll be starting dendrobiums! Thanx again!

[gamistriotis]

I reported it but I saw the roots and I did not like them. I am posting the photos because the phal roots are green. These are white but they did not seem rotten or dried. They did not smell rotten either. Any suggestions?

[shadytrake]

They probably got too wet for a period of time. The best thing about These Dens is that they will put out new roots rather quickly.

Clip off the some of the old dead ones (they will feel hollow and not firm). Pot it up and don't water it for several days. It should force out some new roots.

If you put it in a clear plastic pot, you can watch the new roots develop. Once you see the new roots are about 1/2" long, give it a good water and then let it go until the medium begins to dry before watering again. You can use a bamboo stick to check the dampness of the medium. Push it into the medium and leave it there. Check it after a couple of days and if dry, water.

[Wynn Dee13]

I just wanted to tell you that Dendrobium roots are not like Phal roots. They belong to two different genus of orchids so their roots are not going to look the same. White Den roots are fine. As long as they are firm they are good. If they are hollow and or squishy they are rotten. Good luck with your new plant!


Wynn Dee

[dounoharm]

another culture note: in the first few pics, you showed the old blooming spike still on the plant with dead flowers on it and on the medium.....always keep your plants clean and free of dead leaves flowers stems etc....they harbour insects and give disease a foothold on your plant....snip that old spike off and clean up the debris.....gl

[gamistriotis]

Thanx! I must report that the plant is thriving!!! I snipped it off after having to tie my mother down since she thought I would bloom again! Indeed the roots are totally different than the phals!

[gamistriotis]

Latest report on the dendrobium