New and Need Advice re Dendrobium Kingianum

[Jeanie]

Hi Rosie, and thankyou so much for your welcome ... loved the little waving man ...

Originally Posted by RosieC

Hi Jeanie,

I can't answer your questions but just wanted to say welcome

[kavanaru]

Hi Jeanny, welcome to OB.

Doesn't Den. kingianum come from around Melbourne? (ok, ok, maybe I am blaming myself with that ) if not, I think at least from a similar region.. it should do pretty well on a tree. However, if you want it to perform much better than in nature, you should probably provide some extra watering with fertilizer from time to time during the growing season...

[kavanaru]

ok, just checked.. it was Brisbane, not Melbourne anyway, it should grow pretty well mounted in Melbourne too. check this link:

Dendrobium kingianum

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Hi!

I wanted to ask if you've ever seen a wild Den. kingianum?

From what I understand, and from the way they are described, I believe they grow on rocks...

They grow as lithophytes according to the literature I've come across.

One of the common names for this species is the "Pink Rock Orchid".

Whether a few have been found as epiphytes (growing on trees), I have no clue (hence why I asked if you've seen one in the wild).

Even the text in this link says so.

http://www.orchidspecies.com/denkingianum.htm

I grow mine in diatomite. Grown it for about 2 or 3 yrs. It's pretty good sized, not quite what I would consider specimen sized, but definitely getting there.

They seem to be very easy to grow if they're grown as a lithophyte.

Feel free to ask any questions about this plant.

[stefpix]

where do you find the diatomite? do not see it anywhere in NYC. would aquarium gravel be a ok substitute?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I bought the diatomite as Aussie Gold. But there are other brands available if the company that runs Aussie Gold is out of business.

For example, Dynrok is actually diatomite. They don't really tout it as such, but it is.

As for aquarium gravel...

I don't know. Never used it.

I do know that there are certain orchid species that can be grown in sand.

Some of them are many Satyrium species and a few Disas, especially the ones that grow coastal. These are cooler growing temperate species, for anyone who's interested in knowing.

Yes...Eulophia graminea does grow in a sandy-soil type mix. In fact, it grows very well in it.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

If diatomite is a problem to find, pumice works just as well.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Found another article, this one I think you'll like.

Dendrobium kingianum -- pink rock orchid

And another:

http://www.aos.org/AM/Template.cfm?S...entDisplay.cfm

[stefpix]

in nyc it is a problem. went to the hydroponic store in queens and they did not have it.
asked for dyna rok.
there is one in manhattan but was closed and no parking around there. anyway .. will try again. where do you find pumice?]shipping must not be cheap

[stefpix]

ps
I had a D kingianum that declined - no new roots and shriveled. I put the canes horizontally in a jiffy seedling box with some coco coir and kept humid. now keikis from every node.there is a clump of keikis with linger roots that i think in a month may be ready to be potted.
i would totally go for diatomite or pumice with a pinch of coco coir.