Dendrobium lichenastrum var. prenticei

[wisdomseeker]

Dendrobium lichenastrum var. prenticei - acquired a small piece of this several years ago. Stays in flower on-and-off most of the year. Grown indoors under artificial light, RH around 70% with warm temperatures, watered about once a week, mounted on a Rhododendron branch. I've been able to make several divisions off this plant.



I think this variety is considered to be a synonym of D. lichenastrum, but I'm not sure.

I also have (what I acquired as) lichenastrum (photo below). I can definitely see differences between the two... grows much slower than var. prenticei in my growing conditions, flowers look slightly different from each other, and leaves have more of a stubby/flattened appearance compared to the more elongated circular/cylinder shaped leaves of var. prenticei.

[DirtyCoconuts]

how is this a Dendrobium?!?!

amazing speciemen but i would have bet a beer on the fact that this was a bulbo of some kind.

fantastic!

[wisdomseeker]

I'll try to post some better pictures tomorrow (my camera does not have good macro capabilities), the reason I don't post many of my miniatures when they are in bloom. Definitely a dendro, though.

[orion141]

Those are great looking plants you have there!! Sadly I neglected one a few years back and it didn’t make it. I think I will have to try again some day

[wisdomseeker]

Thank-you.

I enjoy this one. Once it gets a good toe-hold and likes the growing conditions... pretty much a care free and low maintenance plant.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Originally Posted by wisdomseeker

I'll try to post some better pictures tomorrow (my camera does not have good macro capabilities), the reason I don't post many of my miniatures when they are in bloom. Definitely a dendro, though.

i hope it was clear, i wasn't really doubting you, just amazed by orchids lol

[wisdomseeker]

I know you were not blowing smoke out a gnat's rear end. Thought about opening my original reply to you with: "the same reason a bulbo is a bulbo" in regards to "how is this a dendo" - and/or using a beer can as a measuring tool in one of my recent leptotes pictures... but decided "I'w be a beit sarcastic in wesponse.

On a serious note > the leaves and flowers do kind of resemble some of the micro/mini bulbos.

[Clawhammer]

Only water once a week huh? How long does it take to dry out? I water mine daily, but it dries out in 6-8 hours

[DirtyCoconuts]

A beer can is ALWAYS a good reference

[wisdomseeker]

Originally Posted by Clawhammer

Only water once a week huh? How long does it take to dry out? I water mine daily, but it dries out in 6-8 hours

Sometimes every 5 days, sometimes every 7 days. Depending on my schedule. I'm old school (per se), no auto misters or high tech gadgets. Watering is done manually. Might sound labor intensive to some, but I dedicate a few hours during the week for all watering tasks (done on a consistent schedule). This allows me to pay more attention to my plants during the process.

All of my mounted orchids have a layer/pad of LFS (helps to retain moisture). Orchid mounts are soaked (not misted), and my potted orchids are drenched with a hand sprayer. This particular terrarium (where the prenticei hangs) is designed in a way that works out well for my plants. More importantly, it works for me.

A fan mounted to the top of this set-up pushes air downward. A tray in the bottom (kind of like a reservoir) holds about 3 inches of H2O. A small micro water pump circulates the water within the tray (pump runs 24 hours a day). The fan not only provides gentle air circulation inside of the terrarium, it also helps to evaporate the water being circulated in the tray.

Lights and fan are energized (on/off) via a simple timer, photo period is around 10 hours. RH stays anywhere from 70-85% while lights are on, and in the 90ish% range with lights out. Mounts remain damp/moist (not wet) for about a week. This is the reason I only water weekly year round (works out very nicely for my situation). Maybe some photos will help provide a better perspective to the words.

Fan mounted on top



Micro water pump



Some of my potted orchids in this set-up