My new Den. spectabile

[FSUOrchids]

I had been wanting one of these for awhile and one of my local orchid dealers here happened to have one...it's a pretty mature plant in great shape with two big spikes (one with 10 blooms yet to open). It has a great scent as well.

Any advice for how to care for this? Is it that much different from any other Den? I want to make sure this plant is with me for awhile. I live in FL and keep most of my orchids outside in partial sun.

I'm also trying to determine the best place to put it...it's leaning significantly to one side and I'm wondering if it should go in a hanging pot or not. It's very side-heavy.

[WhiteRabbit]

Awesome!

If it works for you, you could hang the plant. My one tall latouria Den, I stake the new growth when they are still quite small, to keep them fairly straight (it grows on a windowsill).

I only have a small seedling spectabile - so others can probably advise better than I regarding care. As with other latouria section Dens - keep the media lightly moist. It is my understanding that for this species, fertilizer should be stopped in September. Resume in spring.

[Wireman]

Nice choice! Huge plants, but incredible blooms.

[FSUOrchids]

I'm probably going to hang it at this point, because of how big the canes are growing to the side.

[FSUOrchids]

If I move this in the plastic pot to a larger hanging pot, what should I use to put between the plastic and ceramic? I've seen a few different things used by people and I don't know if it matters or not. Packing peanuts seem common.

[WhiteRabbit]

If the pot it's in has a lip, there are hangers that can be used for it, tho I have only found them online myself. If you place the plastic pot into another pot, make sure it feels secure in there (if the canes hang a lot, the weight might pull the plastic pot out, especially if media is dry - I recently have been dealing with this with a couple of pendulous Dens potted in small plastic pots) - is that what you meant? You could try squeezing styro in-between to secure the inner pot - I hadn't thought of that... may have to try it...

[jaxorchidman]

I would just pot it in a nice heavy, sturdy pot. Mine is about 3 feet tall and grows straight up. Hanging it might be too troublesome.

[FSUOrchids]

I was able to get a pot that fit the inner plastic pot pretty well, and then I secured the pot with two of those hangers that attach to the lip of the pot. I also bought some of those metal stakes and re-staked the two largest canes, which should at least help to prevent the thing from going nuts to one side. So far it's working. I'll try and take a picture tomorrow when it isn't dark.

[Ferns Daddy]

Nice big plant, really like the flower on it

[FSUOrchids]

It has about 20 blooms right now, although only 13 or so are open, the rest are buds that are close to opening.