New Member - Melbourne, Australia - Orchid Board

DennisKennedy · #1 10-25-2007, 06:05 AM

Just intoducing myself. I have only been growing orchids for 3 years but find myself drawn to the Dendrobiums. I use a shade house and my latest aquisitions are Den. Speciosum. Does anyone have any special tips on feeding these orchids?

I also have a Den. Nobile which has delivered a number of Keikis but as yet no flowers. Hints?

Dennis Kennedy

shakkai · #2 10-25-2007, 07:03 AM

Welcome, Dennis! Great to have you here.

I have only recently begun to enjoy Dendrobiums.... but I have heard that if they get too much moisture during their rest period then they will produce keikis instead of flowers.

I'm sure someone with more experience will either confirm or correct that!

As for feeding, here in the Northern Hemisphere, I am about to reducing (and then stop) watering and feeding for those Dens that require a winter rest period. For the summer, during active growth I feed with a them low concentration fertiliser formulated for orchids.

Lagoon · #3 10-25-2007, 07:14 AM

Hi & Welcome to the forum Dennis. Enjoy your time here!!

Tindomul · #4 10-25-2007, 10:45 AM

Welcome to the Orchid Board. Glad you joined us.

justatypn · #5 10-25-2007, 11:46 AM

Aboard Dennis...great that you have found the OB, so much to learn here with a wealth of information.

As for your Den. Speciosum cultural habits, they take semi-shade with good air movement. They will tolerate a.m. full sun up to mid-morning but avoid west sun. In general watering depends on the medium, if it is damp don't water, which is pretty much the same with other orchids. Water once a week to 10 days in the winter. Use a higher nitrogen from Sept to Feb. and higher phospherous and potassium from March to August....remember weak weekly.

I as well have a noid in which produced 14 kieki's and has not bloomed since, 2 yrs now. My personal opinion is the mothering plant is merely tired an needs to regroup it's strength to flower in the spring. Hold off on heavy watering in the winter from Oct to March or until you see new growth/rooting than gradually resume your normal watering/feeding regimen. Dends are honory orchids but once they are acclimated they will produce a great showing of appreciation.

Glad your here

DennisKennedy · #6 10-25-2007, 08:34 PM

Thanks Cheryl, much appreciated.

I can see I will have to get used to mentally converting your northern hemisphere seasons to ours down south.

Regards

Dennis

Bolero · #7 10-25-2007, 08:53 PM

Welcome Dennis, I'm in Geelong and grow some of those as well. I keep the nobile hybrids almost completely dry between late April and early October. They need to be dry, especially with our cool winters. The rest of the year you can feed and water quite often and they lap it up.

Are you a member of any clubs Dennis??? Usually local club members can help with the specifics of your climate and how to grow your plants at their best.

DennisKennedy · #8 10-26-2007, 12:29 AM

Bolero,
Hi. No I am not currently a member of any club. I am located in Melton. I was considering attending the Maribyrnong Orchid Society's next meeting.

Thanks for the info on the Nobile.

Dennis

Bolero · #9 10-26-2007, 08:15 PM

I am a member of Maribyrnong Orchid Society. It's probably the best club in Victoria - certainly the largest.

They have some great speakers and 4 shows a year. On the second weekend in November they have their Sarcochilus Show so make sure you go along and check that out. You won't be disappointed.

;-)

DennisKennedy · #10 10-27-2007, 08:43 AM

Bolero
A friend suggested I should try keeping "Sarcho's" as he called them.

I will make a point of attending the Maribyrnong O.S. show.

Thanks.

Dennis