Dendrobium nobile type media

[orkkid]

Hello all-
Looking to repot a store bought Den nobile-type, looks pretty close to a lucky girl.

What media does everyone use? I try to match store media, more or less, but this looks like regular Den mix. In a clay pot, would you use this mix, all moss, all bark, or a mixture?

Thanks!

[estación seca]

Medium doesn't matter for this plant so long as it's open enough to provide plenty of air at the roots. Sphagnum requires different watering than bark mixes.

Of more import - I would wait to repot a nobile type Den. until it is actively making new roots. This is not the usual season for that. Is it?

[orkkid]

Oh yes, she is rooting like mad. I had planned to wait but wanted to take advantage of all the rooting. The pot she is in is quiet unstable as well.

I was thinking Moss would be a good idea because how thirsty up plants can be, and it would be in clay. After watching videos, mixes or half moss/bark seem to be more prevalent.

[FranningtonBear]

I’m certainly nothing like as experienced as the experts on this board but I repotted both mine into a medium grade bark a few years ago, both have flourished in this media.

[orkkid]

Originally Posted by FranningtonBear

I’m certainly nothing like as experienced as the experts on this board but I repotted both mine into a medium grade bark a few years ago, both have flourished in this media.

Good to know. I am sure that lots of people have success in pure bark but the water uptake makes me think I’ll underwater it.

[Fairorchids]

Den nobile types need very little water from mid October till they start blooming. Then, once new growth starts I keep them consistently moist.

Based on my time available, that means that I pot in clay pots (to keep them upright), with a mix of spaghnum/bark - usually about 4:1 ratio.

If you are concerned about watering enough with a bark mix, I would definitely recommend a mix with primarily spaghnum.

Some local growers are telling me that treefern works just as well, but I have no firsthand experience with that material.

[orkkid]

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

Den nobile types need very little water from mid October till they start blooming. Then, once new growth starts I keep them consistently moist.

Based on my time available, that means that I pot in clay pots (to keep them upright), with a mix of spaghnum/bark - usually about 4:1 ratio.

If you are concerned about watering enough with a bark mix, I would definitely recommend a mix with primarily spaghnum.

Some local growers are telling me that treefern works just as well, but I have no firsthand experience with that material.

Basically did this, clay pot (20-24cm wide pot, larger than ‘standard clay orchard pots’. Used moss in the very bottom, hydroton/charcoal, coconut husks, and tree fern chips…. Hoping the new growth takes off. The old media was hiding a p-bulb with blacked root buds/eyes so I am a bit apprehensive.


I assume keeping it on the drier side would be for the best, for now. Despite a 2 foot cane, there are nearly no roots.