The National Capital Orchid Show

[DeaC]

Yes,Cordelia is a welcome face and good to know she's still part of J&L. The website has changed nicely but their plants have always been exceptional,as long as one is into what they grow and how they grow them. Plz post fotos when yours bloom!

[Pattywack]

I had to update this post, I’m very surprised!

The Dendrobium cuthbertsonii Pink Giant x Bicolor has grown well for me, much to my surprise. I was hesitant to purchase this plant yet Cordelia convinced me to try one. My grow area for this one is an indoor greenhouse with daytime temps around 80 to 85, my big concern when attempting to grow a cuthbertsonii. The temps are 60 to 65 at night and I have a fan running on the shelf beneath this plant to help cool it some.

I repotted the cuthbertsonii from its small plastic pot into a larger bonsai style pot using moss. The plant really took off and has grown quite a lot. I have it sitting 4” below the T5 HO bulb.

The surprise? I found two nice buds!!! The cuthbertsonii is going to bloom soon and I am actually dumbfounded! Cordelia would be proud of me, lol. I hope there will be more buds develop but I’m pleased with the two. Here are a few pictures of cuthbertsonii:

In the first two pictures the buds are at center.

[Pattywack]

Dendrobium cuthbertsonii flower!

I am very pleased to see this single flower. The second bud is getting larger and will no doubt open in a few more days.

As much as I doubted being able to grow this plant, I now find myself wanting another. The flower is very pretty!

[estación seca]

Wonderful results!

[Pattywack]

Thank you ES! I have not been able to grow many Masdevallia and assumed the cuthbertsonii would be as difficult with the temps. Cordelia was correct, you won’t know until you try. I am happy I tried, surprised with the success.

Have you grown this one? Seems the cooler temps are fairly easy to overcome as long as night time is significantly cooler than daytime.

[estación seca]

I'm on an orchid strike until I either trap all the pack rats or figure out where they're getting into my sunroom.

Look up my lecture notes here on Alan Koch of Gold Country Orchids speaking to the Desert Valley Orchid Society. He grows Den. cuthbersonii in Sacramento, which gets a lot hotter than you do. He spoke on how he cares for it. As I recall very pure water and never drying out are the keys.

[Pattywack]

Pack rats???! Gawd, good luck with that.

I had seen your post some time ago and noticed the temperature Alan Koch was growing these plants in. I’ve seen this before as well from other growers so I decided to give the cuthbertsonii a try.

I’ve potted it in NZ spaghnum moss in a clayish? pot. It’s a bonsai pot and stays cool to the touch in my indoor greenhouse. The plant sits above the fan and I use distilled water. It also sits on top of a upturned pot to bring it closer to the bulb. I’ve been surprised it has done so well and I honestly think I’ll try another one. They have really cool looking rough leaves and flowers last a long time.

I hope you get your pack rat situation under control, an orchid strike sounds like no fun at all!