Dendrobium bellatulum blooming troubles

[Rothrock42]

I've had this Den. bellatulum for a bit over a year. When I got it, the previous owner had given it a VERY dry rest period. I think perhaps a bit too much. I moved it to oak bark and it has taken off and even sent out some bloom spikes.

The first one, about two months ago, never opened and it got that wrinkly blasted look. Then this one started.



It too never opened, but it has started swelling at the base. I'm thinking that might actually be a selfed seedpod forming?

I have stopped daily waterings and just give it heavy mistings once or twice a day. Humidity is about 50 to 60%. Since I started the "dry" period I've seen three more buds starting.

Any tips on helping this next round of buds actually open?

[No-Pro-mwa]

Wish I could help.

[estación seca]

No idea, but really neat.

[dansyr]

That's a cutie! Are you sure the flower never opened?
I've read that it can occur before bud opening, but never come across it. But that doesn't mean much

[Rothrock42]

dansyr -- Yes pretty sure that it never opened. This is in my living room and I take it to the sink every day for watering and look at it.

[rbarata]

This is in my living room and I take it to the sink every day for watering and look at it.

At this time of the year it should be grown under cool temps (10~12ºC), almost full sun and kept more on the dry side.

[Rothrock42]

rbarata -- I have recently stopped daily watering and now it gets a good misting. It is right up under a t5 bulb, maybe 3 inches or so.

My living room is considerably warmer than the desired range. But other than the blooms not opening, it seems quite happy.

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[Rothrock42]

Still wondering about this. As of now there have been 5 buds that all seem to have gone directly to self pollination without actually blooming.

I'm also wondering when I should start normal watering again.

[calvin_orchidL]

Unfortunately, it seems that you've had some cleistogamy, or as you pointed out, self-pollination. From what I've read, it can come and go, certain clones can be persistently cleistogamous, which is unfortunate. You may need to replace this one

[Rothrock42]

Thanks for that calvin_orchidL. This is the first year I've had it so I'll see what happens in the future. The fellow who donated this to our society auction had not been able to get it to bloom at all.