D. Trudy Brandt x D. Udom Blue Angel :drool: - Orchid Board

charmbutterfly · #1 12-20-2007, 07:16 PM

Here's my new baby

, she's my first dendrobium and i don'tknow much about them.

Can anyone tell me about this particular orchid and its culture?

Oh i started cleaning the leaves in the second pic, see the difference a little lime makes

flhiker · #2 12-20-2007, 07:38 PM

Another beautiful Den. They are (for me anyway) easy to grow. I just water once a week and mist every other day. Fertilize 2 a month with half strenght MSU fert. and they get plenty of light but not direct. And they seem to be doing very well.

charmbutterfly · #3 12-20-2007, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flhiker

Another beautiful Den. They are (for me anyway) easy to grow. I just water once a week and mist every other day. Fertilize 2 a month with half strenght MSU fert. and they get plenty of light but not direct. And they seem to be doing very well.

Yeah she sure is a beauty!!

What's the NPK ratio in your MSU fert.?
I saw somewhere that you have to give certain dendrobiums a rest period??

:

Is this one of those types?

flhiker · #4 12-20-2007, 08:01 PM

The fert. I use is First Rays Liquid orchid fertilizer for Pure Water it contains 3% Nitrogen I use 2 tsp. per gallon which is around 75 ppm N twice a week.

kiki-do · #5 12-20-2007, 08:40 PM

Wow, beautiful! I had heard lime worked well, but never tried it. Just lime and water? I will have to try that on some of mine. I have three or four den. and I'm not sure about the rest period, but I generally take a wait and see approach after they finish flowering and see if they start spiking again or go dormant. I had one that did nothing for what seemed forever, but is now becoming active again. I only have one that has a label and the rest are noids so that is why I to the waiting approach. Someone who is more knowledgeable can help you there. I just wanted to say your orchid is very pretty! Congrats! kiki-do

charmbutterfly · #6 12-20-2007, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiki-do

Wow, beautiful! I had heard lime worked well, but never tried it. Just lime and water? I will have to try that on some of mine. I have three or four den. and I'm not sure about the rest period, but I generally take a wait and see approach after they finish flowering and see if they start spiking again or go dormant. I had one that did nothing for what seemed forever, but is now becoming active again. I only have one that has a label and the rest are noids so that is why I to the waiting approach. Someone who is more knowledgeable can help you there. I just wanted to say your orchid is very pretty! Congrats! kiki-do

Thanks Kiki!! I'm really excited about my orchid but after reading through the den. forum i'm really scared!!

justatypn · #7 12-20-2007, 08:51 PM

Charm what a lovely dendrobium. Here is a website that might shed some light on your bloomer.

Dendrobium Orchids and Grow Orchids with Bribie Island Orchid Society

This website will give you some great information on a soft and hard cane dendrobium. Your's is a hard cane which does not need to extreme cut back of watering during the winter months.

In general for indoor growing your winter watering should slow to about watering every 7-10 days. If your not sure it needs a drink, wait a day or two and go forth with your watering regimen. Great growing, so healthy and what a difference when those leaves are clean.

kiki-do · #8 12-20-2007, 08:55 PM

Yes, that is scary. You know what? When I get overwhelmed with the care of certain plants, I just play it by ear and for some strange reason, they seem to respond. You give it the love where you lack in knowledge and it always works out. Den. are really not that difficult and seem to be quite forgiving....thank goodness. Dave had some great advice, and that is pretty much what I do. You'll do fine! kiki-do

charmbutterfly · #9 12-20-2007, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justatypn

Charm what a lovely dendrobium. It appears to be a hybrid, wish I had a name for you. Here is a website that might shed some light on your bloomer.

Dendrobium Orchids and Grow Orchids with Bribie Island Orchid Society

This website will give you some great information on a soft and hard cane dendrobium. Your's is a hard cane which does not need to extreme cut back of watering during the winter months.

In general for indoor growing your winter watering should slow to about watering every 7-10 days. If your not sure it needs a drink, wait a day or two and go forth with your watering regimen. Great growing, so healthy and what a difference when those leaves are clean.

Thanks so much for that site!! I am going to print out the pages and have a read now

Lime juice and a napkin really does the trick!!

justatypn · #10 12-20-2007, 09:13 PM

That's the ticket ... lime juice the best results...

I have to agree with you kiki, they are most forgiving and have had a few incidences where they should have been left to rest but they always seem to bounce back....gl with yours and may it bring many more years of blooming.