Good for a laugh

[Dollythehun]

Originally Posted by Jeff214

Mine's topped off around 14 inches for the last 6 canes or so. I keep getting nubs appearing but nothing ever actually grows into a spike. I've had this for 5 years now?

I also have the 'shorty' clone from H&R nurseries and that's topped off at ~8 inches. I dropped it... a couple of times... and it's suffered some massive p-bulb damage. I've had this one for 6-7 years now... and nothin.

The plants are getting a little sun burned, so I assume it's getting enough light. In the adjacent window, I have a Den. Spectabile hybrid that's flowering non-stop since April... but the mother plant... nothin.

Perhaps I need to give it away too... maybe then, it'll finally decide to spike like yours!

Jeff, is the one in the picture the Hybrid? It looks a little like a den phal. It doesn't have the weird twisted flowers. Or am I showing my ignorance?

This is a good lesson for me. I used to just look at pictures. Now, I consider the whole plant and it's necessary conditions. Also, I think as we collect, we tend to gravitate to certain species. At least I see myself doing that.

5'?! That is awesome if you have a greenhouse or palace!

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Everything I've read about it says it needs considerably more light than a lot of other Dendrobiums.

[Dollythehun]

Mine was in nearly full sun with the cymbs. The angle of the sun shifted and I didn't move it and it sunburned. So, I think you are correct. Lots of food and water during the growth cycle, back off water in the winter.

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I suspect it needs a lot more water in the winter than people give it. I don't think it's ever dry in habitat. Drying out too much could account for failure to flower. This is just a guess.

[Dollythehun]

Hmm. I looked up the culture when I bought it but experience Triumphs propaganda.

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It's not experience. Everything I read says "a slight lessening in winter." I think this is an adaptation for people who don't keep their greenhouses warm enough to please this plant. And most people think "slight lessening" means "once a month like the Phals." I don't think any Dens from climates with at least some winter rain should ever dry out.

[Jeff214]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Jeff, is the one in the picture the Hybrid? It looks a little like a den phal. It doesn't have the weird twisted flowers. Or am I showing my ignorance?

This is a good lesson for me. I used to just look at pictures. Now, I consider the whole plant and it's necessary conditions. Also, I think as we collect, we tend to gravitate to certain species. At least I see myself doing that.

5'?! That is awesome if you have a greenhouse or palace!

The pink flowers are Dendrobium Hawaii Spectacular (Big Alex x spectabile). The flowers do get more curly as time goes on, but yes it's more like Big Alex (den bigibbum x den alexanderae). Maybe the culture conditions are very different then from Den. spectabile.

I started collecting orchids because I liked Den. spectabile's crazy flowers. But sadly I've never seen one in real life. One of these days...

As for water requirements, I grow mine in a saucer full of water, even in winter. They love it and continue to grow all year long but they never flower. I feed them year round. Perhaps I need to be withholding...

If it's sunlight, I've put my "shorty" clone of Den spectabile outside in full sun. maybe that will coax it to flower.

[Dollythehun]

I was told to cut back on water and fertilizer in the winter. Which I did...

[SaraJean]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

I really wanted to post this in the Off Topic Forum but, it is about orchids, after all.

Three years ago I acquired a Den. Spectabile as a bag baby. Heavens did that plant grow! I inquired about it here a couple of times as it was getting so darned big. OW told me that it was close to blooming size last year...but, nary a bud.

So, its been outside and was nearly 3' tall and half as wide. Frankly, I had given up and was a little negligent in it's care. It got sunburned and had some blackened leaves. At that size, there was no room here at the inn. It had to be re-homed.

I was going to send it to SaraJean but, couldn't find a box big enough. So, my friend Mary down the road said she would take it. So I loaded it in the truck, drove it into town set it down and discovered...wait for it...TWO bud nubs! TWO! Crud!

So, now my friend Mary will enjoy the flowers. Here's my question: Isn't there a hybrid of this that is equally weird but, shorter? Give me ideas and Roberta always says "orchids teach patience." How true!

Too funny! and I would have loved it but yeah, I can see getting a box for that big chunky mama jama would be an issue At least you know you eventually bloomed it!
There’s always the Den. Joyce Kelly. It’s a more creamy color but still has a lot of the spectabile flower shape.