dendrobium convolutum, first bloom

[Jeff214]

Got this dendrobium convolutum to bloom for the first time. The lip coloration isn't uniform but veined, more like its hybrids. It also has a red spot in the center of the flower.

I wonder if the patterning will develop as the plant matures or if this isn't really den. convolutum as it was labeled?

[Dollythehun]

I think so. I was researching them yesterday as I have a new one spiking. It looks just like what I saw. I'll be able to tell you first hand soon.

[Jeff214]

great, thanks. hope yours blooms soon.

[Dollythehun]

It was a total surprise.

[estación seca]

It sure is beautiful, no matter what it is.

[Mountaineer370]

I can't help at all with your questions but just wanted to say that is very pretty!

[Dollythehun]

I was doing some reading on this plant and this thread popped up. Jeff214, mine has not been out of bloom since I got it at least a year ago. It now has four spikes! Blooms seem to last forever.

However, I was searching for watering requirements. I see "dry between" and "never dry."
I'm eyeing a heavy ceramic pot as this den is top heavy. But I'm wondering if that will keep it too moist. It also says brighter than Catt level light. Mine gets water 2x a week and nowhere near that much light. Maybe that's why it's willowy. How do you grow yours?

[Jeff214]

Dollythehun,

I'm glad to hear that yours is doing so well!

Unfortunately, mine died suddenly after moving to a new home last November... Oddly this was the only plant out of a hundred or so that died during my move.

Maybe I can tell you what not to do...

In my experience, the latourias seem to like a lot of sun, warm temps, and lots of water. They seem to hate cold temps. When I moved, I had this den convolutum in a poorly heated sunroom (50-45F or so?). It died there, likely due to a combo of factors, but the temps didnt help. Most all other plants were fine there. Though, a few of the latourias struggled. Since, I moved all my latourias to a fully heated part of the home. All seem happy now.

I have my latourias in medium bark mix; some in ceramic, some in plastic pots. I grow them indoors. During the summer, I water every other day. I have den spectabiles, its hybrid, and den microchip in a pool of water at all times... but I let my other latourias (den roy tokunaga, den atroviolacium, den normanbyensis, den little atro) dry out in between.

During the winter, I water them once a week or so. They really seem to hate wet feet in cold temps and low sun.

I hope that helps.

[Dollythehun]

Sounds like we're on the same page. How tight a pot do you use?

[Jeff214]

I keep it pretty tight. I only repot it when the new growth is hanging over the pot.