Dendrobium spectabile

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Bud

Don't be silly, Sonya!

Just hang in there and give it more patience....you will be rewarded with fragrant unique looking flowers....I have seen your Cymbidiums and it is to covet and envy of any orchid grower.

Aw, thanks Bud
Mine's just no where near that size yet, and I've been growing it 5 years!

[Bud]

Originally Posted by nikkik

Awesome, Bud! I have always loved this unique beauty! Fantastic growing!

Thank You, nikkik !!!!

[Brooke]

Bud how long have you had this Den? This is not a nobile type and doesn't goes deciduous every year. I've grown mine from seedling size and give it water year round, just less in the winter but I never leave it dry for any length of time.

Brooke

[Picotee]

I always think of these as alien plants. LOL Good growing, Bud. They are so weirdly wonderful.

[Bud]

Originally Posted by Brooke

Bud how long have you had this Den? This is not a nobile type and doesn't goes deciduous every year. I've grown mine from seedling size and give it water year round, just less in the winter but I never leave it dry for any length of time.

Brooke

This plant was with me since 2011 ....it came to me as a 3 year old seedling.
If you look at the IOSPE site and also the Orchids Wiki site it talks about a winter rest that advices to withhold water ....it also comes endemic to a region that has dry spell in the winter. AOS is vague about the culture of this plant and Baker culture is non existent.....but the book that guides me most is: "Dendrobium and its Relatives" by Bill Lavarack, Wayne Harris and Geoff Stocker.
For the past three years, I hold fertilizer and water for almost a month and a half and it just flowered for me this year. But I have a very bright, warm and humid environment in my apartment in winter so maybe its a big factor.
Your environment must work good for your plant that it can thrive with water and fertilizer all year round.

---------- Post added at 02:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:26 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Picotee

I always think of these as alien plants. LOL Good growing, Bud. They are so weirdly wonderful.

Thanks You !

I have read about this plant being called: 'Alien'
It is really 'weirdly wonderful'.

[Brooke]

I guess the environment in your apartment is better for the spectabile than my g/h. I guess we can call it Manhattan Magic! I have never heard of a non-deciduous plant having water withdrawn for long periods of time. If withdrawn for too long, the natural defense of the plant is to drop the leaves.

I have the same Den book and see what they say about this species.

BTW I wouldn't call Orchids Wiki a reliable site for good information.

Brooke

[plumania]

I have one and it is in bloom right now, on 2 spikes. Lightly fragrant,may be because it is grown outdoor.
Few new growths are also popping up.
It is in a coarse mix in a plastic net basket which is sitting in wood basket.Roots are now wrapping around wood basket.
Mine lost very few leaves,blooming on canes that still have leaves.
I just reduced water in winter and stopped fertilizing during that time. It stayed out in winter but we do not have real winters here.

[Bud]

Post pictures of your blooms, Plumania....I didn't lose any leaves....and I gave it an even drastic winter rest. But I sprayed it if I felt that the canes were shriveling....I have an electric humidifier with a small fan attached at the top in every window area to provide high humidity....maybe that is a factor.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

As always Bud, amazing healthy looking plant and absolutely amazing blooms, and pics:-) I love this "strange" looking bloom:-)

[GeorgiaVL]

I love the followers of your plant and excellent photography. I have a similar plant that currently has six spikes. I have had the plant for close to 10 years. I have divided it once and almost killed it. So, now I jus live it alone and it rewards me with flowers.

I don't give mine winter rest because by the time I bring the plant indoors for the winter it already has several spikes.

Compare to my plants, however, your plant looks so much better your plant has more leaves compare to my plant.