Maria

[peeweelovesbooks]

I think I've pretty much figured out Laelias. Well, you know what I mean, the things are thriving and pretty much having a party without me. I just show up to feed them and now they want me to leave them be.


So, I thought---Maria NEEDS A NEW CHALLENGE!!! I've been looking at the galleries and the wonderful pics you all post and I've zeroed in on species dendrobiums. Of course, because I tend to be overzealous about everything, I decided to buy one off ebay, which I got today.

I bought a Dendrobium anosmum (supposedly the alba variety but the label DOES NOT indicate such---I've contacted the seller already)

The canes are huge for such a tiny little pot. I think they are at least a foot long, if not longer. Wow. It has buds. It's nice and green. And, it has these cool looking pendant canes. It doesn't look like an orchid (of course, because ALL ORCHIDS ARE LAELIAS!) but some prehistoric thing. Let me just say I'm sort of fascinated and in love!! (don't tell my Laelias please!) Well, a teensy part of my heart is in love.

So. Here I go. I am approaching this new group cautiously because of course, I want to prevent my natural urge to buy every species dendrobium. (Ha) next on my list--is dendrobium spectabile. I love that thing. I plan to get one @ the Redlands show.


So, questions---I've read these like bright light? yes? fertilizer now or no?


What new orchid have you tried lately?

[Becca]

Maria, where is the picture of your new 'chid? I can't wait to see it in bloom!

While not big and floofy, Den. kingianum is a neat one to bloom and grow!

[Call_Me_Bob]

How do you solve a problem like Maria?!?!

What are we to do with you Maria? Since laelias are to easy for you, I'll take them off your hands!! Dens are nice. Are you gonna do all hard cane dens? Spectabile is nice.

Please do post pics of your new lovelies! You should try encyclias. Buy they would be to easy for you. Maybe masdevallias, they will sure be a challenge for you and the weather though.

I got a mine noid phal for 50¢ the other day. If it blooms white it's Christopher Holmes for sure. Elsewise it's a noid. And before that the last purchase was in december. Got 6 blooming sized catts from caramelas


You can call me Bob

[quiltergal]

Maria, anosmum requires a winters rest. Reduce water from Halloween to Valentines Day. Gradually increase watering after buds appear. Stop fertilizing when it goes into the rest period and resume after it goes into active growth.

Spectibile is from the Latouria section and hails from New Guinea, Vanuatu & the Solomon Islands. I would call it a warm to hot grower. It does not need a winter rest. They also do not like to dry out completely before being watered again. I've heard that they don't bloom well until they are quite large and pot bound.