Dendrobium Kingianum potting advise needed.

[plumania]

I am in South Florida and we have quite a bit of humidity and heat here. I grow outdoors either in my screened patio or hang plants outside from trees.
I bought this one at Ft Lauderdale show 2 days ago and the vendor had it in clear plastic pot in fine bark, topped with lots of moss. When I asked why they had so much bark and moss (knowing it is a lithophyte)she said it is just so it stays fresh during the show. I took some moss out today so it can breathe. Roots are healthy and bark looks fresh.
Once it is done flowering, I would like to pot it in the right type container and right type media. I have lava rock, small
size river rock, can get perlite but no pumice available.
Our humidity is a big killer for the plants here and for the outdoor plants we get a lot of rain as well.

Looking for advise.
How about small rock or regular Lava rock mixed with perlite in a clay pot ?
Or would you suggest I add some bark also ?

I plan to keep it in morning sun area of my patio, away from rain . Or may keep it outside ,in morning sun until rainy season starts.
Does it need more sun?

Thanks.

[morbius18]

My kingianum are the hardiest orchids I have ever grown. They are almost like a weed. I have grown them in commercial fir bark mix from Lowes, some mounted on driftwood, and a mix of bark and LECA. I really like the LECA as I can water daily and they grow great.
I have grown them outdoors in Tennessee during this past summer and the temps got up into the 100s. I had some exposed to direct sunlight for over half the day with no problems.
I have been growing them in my basement now with 3-48" shop lights. They got a bad aphid infestation while in spike from my superhot peppers that I was overwintering. I nuked them with 3 different types of bug killer, with no ill effects. They actually continued to bloom with no problems.

I would try to find a local hydro shop or buy some of the LECA (Hydroton) and pot it in a clay pot. You should be able to let it grow outdoors and the LECA will dry fast after rains.

[morbius18]

Yours have a beautiful color though, mine are white and a little purple lined

[Bud]

this orchid is originally found on the Queensland to South Wales coast of Australia growing up towards the mountains....some of this plants grow on rocks and on trees.... it can be mounted or potted in Urban environment and the media you mentioned in your posession will work.
Florida is ideal for these plants because you have enough humidity and moisture in the atmosphere for outdoor growing. Your patio is a great position so not to overwater it from downpour of rains....

[plumania]

Thanks.

morbius, actually I was looking for the light pink ones but there was only one vendor selling kingianum and she had no other color in bloom. I loved it's scent and color so it jumped in my bag . Hopefully, it will grow and love me back.

[WhiteRabbit]

Mine are potted in a mix of perlite and pumice. These want to remain lightly moist.

[plumania]

Pumice is not available here ,that is why I am looking at other alternatives. Thanks for the advise though.
If I find pumice anywhere, I will try it.

[morbius18]

Originally Posted by plumania

Thanks.

morbius, actually I was looking for the light pink ones but there was only one vendor selling kingianum and she had no other color in bloom. I loved it's scent and color so it jumped in my bag . Hopefully, it will grow and love me back.

They do have a great scent. I've got 3 - 8 inch clay pots and 2 - 4 inch clay pots full of them. I got 2 (4-6 bulbs) smallish plants about 2 years ago that expanded into these monsters after a few divisions. I even gave my brother a plant with 10 pseudobulbs mounted on drift wood. Its one of the plants that I considered propagating because it is so easy to grow.

[greengarden]

These truly will grow anywhere, I grow them in cheap bark mulch from the grocery store, also have them growing on trees and in regular potting mix, they really don't care too much LOL

[plumania]

All the advises I have gotten are so encouraging. Thanks for pitching in.