den jenkinsii 1st time buds

[RJSquirrel]

1st time since Ive been growing this plant its got buds!!! Counted 10 so far. Didnt even know they was there but during one of my Bug checks, it turned into the lil bud happy dance

Plants about 2 years old and growing like a weed. Planted in straight Dyna Rok. (Fresh water dolomite is Dyna Rok)

This one grows right next to all the catts not to be outdone..Okey Ill have some blooms. I know you getting tired of my buds






Im having fun now!!!

[Silje]

Wow! That is a nice jenkinsii! It's one of my favorite orchids. I overall really like the callista dendrobiums. Love the warm yellow colors.

I've got two that are both mounted and I'm so tempted to put them into pots. The mounts are getting old and disintegrating and I've been considering trying to peel of the bark on the mounts (with plant and roots) and just put it into a pot.

So you grow yours in rocks? That's it? Did this plant come as a pot plant when you got it or has it been mounted at some stage?

Enjoy the flowers! And post pictures!

[vjo]

So THATS what they look like!!! Lol I have had mine for 3 or 4 years, it has done nothing!! Not even a new p bulb. It just sits there. I will enjoy EVERY bud and bloom you show us. Good growing....Jean

[RJSquirrel]

thanks silje and vjo

and yes just roks. It was mounted when I bought it with about 10 small bulbs. It fell off the mount a few times bec its roots are very tiny small and break easily when they dry out. Sooooo I stuck it in a pot of dyna roks and been there ever since. Now Dyna Rok isnt just rocks. They are very special roks. They are fresh water fossilized diatoms. I.E. Diatomaceous earth.

You just cant overwater your plants in this stuff

Dyna-Rok (trade name) is an all purpose, inert, soil less growing medium comprised of 90% silica. Offers high water absorbance (>150 %) making it a perfect solution for very hot/dry climates.

I wanna see the flowers now too

They like a lot of heat and bright light during the growing season. What got it to bloom for me IMO was spending a month and a half in a cold dark garage without being watered. They need to go dry during the winter months for about 6 weeks.That starts your new growths and roots. Roots go happy hunting looking for water. If it had been left wet the roots would not have to go looking for water not grown bulbs or bloomed. And may have root rotted without the heat of the sun.

Sounds familiar?

[Silje]

I think you just talked me into moving these small, charming guys into a pot! I'm guessing mine are the size of yours when you got it. +/- 10 bulbs sounds about right, and yes...I do have problems with the roots. Despite a lot of water, they tend to dry out on the mount. I wont be able to find a similar growth medium here in Namibia though...I've got very limited options here, so it would have to be either LECA or dolomite gravel. What do you think?

[RJSquirrel]

depending on the size, the gravel dolomite would be my choise. So many good things in dolomite orchids love. If its too small you can use the LECA. Either will work and suit your needs. Im using the medium grade roks which is about the size of a USA nickel. You could use the LECA and supplement it with the dolomite also. Both are good choises to pot up this one with.
I see that most who sell these sell them mounted. But they also have greenhouses. Makes a difference in mounting or not to mount.


RF Orchids and St. Augustine Orchid Society - North Florida Orchid Growing have some good pages on differing cultural needs for all the kinds of dendrobiums.

[FSUOrchids]

I've found the RF Orchids info very useful, as I have several of the types of Dens they discuss on their site.

[WhiteRabbit]

Awesome!
I got one of these last year, but, alas, no buds for me

[RJSquirrel]

.....

no blooms yet...

thanks you all for looking..

My co workers think Im a silly old man. Wait till I prove it to 'em