Dendrobium Species Acquisition

[MattWoelfsen]

Catherine, Den. kingianum is also a smaller species? My criteria for considering an orchid is that it is smaller, easy to care for OR matches other orchid culture already in my care, AND it is fragrant or has an unsual format.

Thanks for the Den. kiingianum idea. They have beautiful flowers.

[catherinecarney]

Matt--

De. kingianum comes in a wide range for sizes, though my "large" one is no more than 6" high, and the "small" form I got from Andy's Orchids is about half that. I've found it easy to grow, so given my newbie status that's saying something. They want high light and plenty of water when they're actively growing, then a cool, dry, bright rest period (I just leave them on the porch until the first frost is forecast they bring them in and water sparingly until I see growth again in December or January). A 4" pot of kingianum in full bloom will more than perfume a room and they smell like a combination of honey and hyacinths to me....

I'm still working on figuring out the culture to make my aggregatum happy, but my Den. loddigesi (also from Andy's) is growing....

Catherine

[MattWoelfsen]

Thanks for the advice Catherine. I hope you post pictures of your Dendrobium aforementioned.

[catherinecarney]

Matt--

My kingianums are pretty much done blooming, though there are plenty of new growths coming up, so I'll try to get a pic when I have time (and can figure out the camera--not very tech savvy). Loddigessi and parishi are growing, but not in bloom, either.

I'll see what I can come up with for pics.

Catherine

[MattWoelfsen]

Being well trained by Neofinetia falcata to appreciate the form and presentation of plant, even when not in bloom, I came across these three plants that did not look like Dendroboium.


Dendrobium anceps by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr


Dendrobium flexile by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr


Dendrobium pachyphyllum by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr

All of these photos come from Kawamoto Orchids in Honolulu, Hawaii. Based on these pictures,I ordered these three plants. They are on their way to Fort Wayne and should arrive tomorrow 04/23/14. They fit my criteria for unusual form, diminutive in size, and can grow with my already acquired Dendrobium. I'm so pleased to know there are smaller orchid plants that can be as interesting as their larger cousins.

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by catherinecarney

Matt--



My kingianums are pretty much done blooming, though there are plenty of new growths coming up, so I'll try to get a pic when I have time (and can figure out the camera--not very tech savvy). Loddigessi and parishi are growing, but not in bloom, either.



I'll see what I can come up with for pics.



Catherine

Great! To me, I am more interested in how the plant looks because that is what you will see most of the time. Blooms are great to have when they are provided by the plant. Since I live with these plants inside my house, they have to be appealing and interesting all of the time.

[rangiku]

Matt, you need lots and lots of moniliforme...

Lots of moniliforme

[MattWoelfsen]

Wow, that is an amazing list Adrienne! Thank you for linking it. I did not realize there so many different, definable plants. I have fifteen of them. I'm still not convinced I can grow these successfully. It has been a cold winter and they are slowly growing new leaves. Most look like wayward pencils.

[rangiku]

My sensei gave me that link. Some of those are hybrids, but still are so beautiful.

You'll get the hang of growing them. After Phals and Neos, moniliforme are the third largest group in my collection. Hopefully 4 more will be winging their way to me.

[MattWoelfsen]

My three Dendrobium arrived today all the way from Hawaii. They were beautifully packed and are very healthy. Dendrobium anceps is a lot larger than I thought it would be but very lovely. It seems like a bigger version of my Dendrobium reflexitepalum. The other two Dendrobium flexile and pachyphyllum are smaller and very healthy.