Dendrobium laevifolium in bloom

[isurus79]

Cool thread! I bought one today and am figuring out how I want to care for it.

[wintergirl]

Mine is still in a clay pot with hydroton beads, I mist the entire plant and the roots daily. I like to mist the entire plant now after it got false mites in the past. How is your new plant potted?

[estación seca]

I had two, sequentially. My house is too hot for them. I kept them in the coolest room, and it wasn't cool enough. They really suffered when it was much over 80 F / 26.5C, and my house is well over that for many months during our warm season.

They would begin new growth during cooler spring weather. When warmer weather came they would stop, with new growth never getting as large as previous growths. During warm weather I would lose pseudobulbs. Both died during their second summer here.

It's listed as an intermediate grower, but I disagree. This is a cool grower. I have other intermediate growers that do fine here.

[wintergirl]

I think that is why mine does well with clay, cools them down.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by wintergirl

How is your new plant potted?

Its currently got small grade bark in a tall plastic pot with a nice green layer of live moss on top. I'll repot this after the buds pop, in a clay pot with a thing layer of spag on top. Down below will be inorganic media (synthetic osmunda who's name I've forgotten) with a small water well at the bottom. That way the roots will always be surrounded by humidity but not sopping wet.

My buddy who loves this Dendrobium section says this species is pretty easy: Bright light, room temps, and pure water (rainwater or RO/DI).

[Dollythehun]

Synthic. Explain the well at the bottom part. Mine was in clay and moss. It lost it's old leaves and is pushing new growth. I agree with ES on the heat, though. I moved mine to a brighter location and it doesn't seem happy. I'm willing to try your method, Steve.

[wintergirl]

I used live moss for a couple of years, it works too. You just have to push the moss down so it doesn't over-grow your plant.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Synthic. Explain the well at the bottom part. Mine was in clay and moss. It lost it's old leaves and is pushing new growth. I agree with ES on the heat, though. I moved mine to a brighter location and it doesn't seem happy. I'm willing to try your method, Steve.

I recently repotted a Bulbo into this type of pot. I'll take a pic when I get home!

Mine is under indoor lights and is bright purple from the previous grower's (Clown Alley Orchids) lighting.

[isurus79]

Actually, I'll just post some pics when I switch over the pots.