Dendrobium Species Acquisition

[katrina]

Nice additions!!

Nice job developing your den side of the collection! I guess I know who to contact if any of my planned downsizing includes some of my dens.

FWIW -- prenticei is now accepted as lichenastrum. I know, I know...it's a different leaf shape but the powers that be opted to lump them together. I'm not growing either anymore but I put [var prenticei] on the one tag...just in case "they" ever decided to split them out again.

[MattWoelfsen]

Thanks Katrina! Yes, prenticei is a lichenastrum--so I've read BUT they look too different! I guess that is not too much of difference to warrant continued referral to two different plants.

Why are you planning to downsize? You grow your plants so beautifully, I cannot imagine how difficult that task would be! I do not mean to be 'greedy' but I'd welcome any of your small/miniature/compact cast-offs. In return, I'll give you an Oncidium speculatum--the biggest and largest and oldest orchid I own. This plant takes up the space of 30 itty bitty Dendrobium!

[katrina]

The little leaves are very different but the flowers are (at least to my untrained eyes) exactly the same. Either way, I left the var prenticei in place...just in case.

As for my downsizing...no big deal...it's just time to free up some space. Get rid of some of the lesser loved orchids and/or those I have grown bored with. Along with that, it was pretty crowded before they all went outside for the summer and w/the growth they usually put on this time of the year...well...it will be even more crowded by the end the summer. So, gotta make room.

Plus, my local OS is hosting the fall MAOC this year so you know what that means...HUGE shopping spree! We have some amazing vendors coming in and I know I'll be able to add some things I've wanted for awhile so...yep...definitely going to need to make room.

I have to admit though...been going through the list for a couple of weeks now and other than those I'm bored with...it's kind of tough deciding what should go. I'll get there, eventually.

BTW - thank you for the kind words...very sweet of you.

[quiltergal]

Matt if you are in search of another American vendor that carries a lot of unusual Den species check out H&R in Hawaii. Harry (the H in H&R), is on the board here occasionally. His screen name here is Catwalker. He knows more about Dens than anyone I have talked with. FWIW I was having issues with my jenkinsii and in his opinion it should be given a milder winter rest than aggregatum. I was giving it a hard winter rest and it struggled big time.

Also, if you like small/compact check out Den. atroviolacium 'Pigmy'. It's a small evergreen bushy Den with crazy looking flowers. Den. cuthbertsonii might do well for you as it prefers cooler temps. It's teeny.

[debrasoon]

Advice everyone. Someone offered to hand carry a yellow sophronopsis for me from Japan which is apparently very rare. Tiny thing abt 1 inch or so for about 70 usd. I said no tks but am wondering if I am being foolish.


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[debrasoon]

What
Do u all think?


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[katrina]

Oh my...that is beautiful! The yellows are harder to come by and at least 2-3x more costly than the reds. In some cases I've seen them go for as much as 4x what a red costs...and the reds aren't cheap to begin with.

The yellows are harder to grow and far more fussy about cool temps. Given your very warm clime...it might not do very well for you. With that said, if it is something that you're getting for a very reasonable price (or free!) then I would likely give it a try anyway.

I bought a 4N red last April and I'm disappointed to report that it's not doing so well. It didn't have the best roots when I got it...but now it's lost all of it's roots and I don't know for sure if it's a wet thing or a heat thing. Likely a combo of both. They can be fussy growers...for sure. Still...it's fun to try. If this one doesn't make it I'll try at least one more but I won't spend the $$ for a yellow unless I can grow a red.

Ok, so that was a bunch of babble and perhaps it didn't help at all but that' my 2...er, I guess I gave you 4 cents worth of words.

Be sure and post pics if you opt to get it.

BTW -- This Soph is now Cattleya so your little plant isn't a den. You probably already knew that but I thought I'd mention it since you posted your inquiry in a thread devoted to dens. Just in case you were confused.

[MattWoelfsen]

Katrina, if your post didn't help Debra, it helped me. I thought this was difficult to grow! I bought a very lovely one from NWO--a red flowered one. It did really well for me but then when winter arrived it declined really fast. When I first noticed, I had growing in with my Neofinetia. Then I realized it should be grown like my Cattleya, so I moved it to my Cattleya room, and it declined faster. This red flowered Soph was expensive enough that I did not want to try them again. I have seen yellow flowered Soph. at vendor websites and they were too expensive for me. Thanks for your comments.

[katrina]

Yea, it can be a tough species. I've shied away from it for years due to it's notorious reputation for difficulty but I broke down in April and bought a nice sized clump. I didn't expect it would be easy but I certainly didn't expect to lose it THIS fast. You and I are both part of a large group of people who have not done well with this particular species.

I can't figure out the exact cause of decline so my curiosity is killing me and due to that...if this one dies...I'll HAVE to try again. Given what they cost though...if I keep losing them...I won't try too many times before I throw in the towel.

I've also been wanting to try Den cuthbertsonii...I guess I'm a glutton for punishment. XD

[debrasoon]

Gosh thank you both so much. Yes I realise it is not a den but since so many experts here collecting minis I knew at least Matt wld have looked at it. . Sounds like I should not take the risk. A normal sophronopsis here will cost abt 23 usd. Or abt 25 sgd. I recently spent 100+ on a rare bulbo n thk that was the limit so SHD be a bit careful with this.... Tks for the advice both
Truly appreciate it.


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