Phal Type Dendrobiums Debunking a Myth
 

Recently I've noticed that some OB members are under the impression that phal type and antelope type dendrobiums will bloom from a single cane for only one season. I am happy to inform everyone that this is not true. As a matter of fact, I just discovered and was pleasantly surprised by a spike forming from a leafless, somewhat shriveled 3rd season cane. Here are a few photos showing new spikes emerging from canes with previous seasons growth and a cane broken while in bloom last summer also getting in on the action. :biggrin:

That's awesome, mine never does that! I always have to patiently wait for the new growth to mature before I'll see some blooms. I wonder if this is a culture thing, or genetic?

I would guess that has some Dnedrobium that reblooms from old canes in the parentage. It is an hybrid so it may happen I assume.

my dens can flower from completely different locations! some flowers in older canes, some in the new growth and some even while in keiki, or the flower infloresce become a keiki! some older canes can even flower many times and come out with as much as 3-4 infloresces!

All of my dendobiums are exposed to heat, humidity, and many hours of fairly high sunlight. Their shade house environment provides some sun protection but it's still very bright and they receive more exposure than one might consider healthy. During their transition to the shade house I was concerned about them burning. I had even considered reworking the slat roof in order to provide more shade. I ultimately decided to leave well enough alone. The photo will give you an indication of how much exposure they receive growing on the west wall.

My Den Polar Fire (a phal type) is currently in bloom from the same cane it bloomed from in 2008.

In 2009 it grew a new cane and bloomed from that late in the season, now in 2010 it is growing a new cane, but while that is growing the original cane is flowering again. I was really suprised when the spike started... but very pleased :biggrin:

I have one that is currently flowering for a third time from the same cane. I do think this tendency has something do do with the genetic makeup of the plant though.

Cool! I just noticed a nubbie on a previously bloomed cane on a small den-phal - don't know yet what it's doing, but of course I am hoping for a spike :)

I think that sunshine does help with reblooming - my phal type den bloomed from both old and new canes after being exposed to outside light levels last year. As we live so far north compared to you in the states, I think our Dendro's need all the light we can give them, especially us windowsill growers :lol:

The age/maturity of the plant may also play a roll. These are bloom photos of my dendrobiums that have repeated spikes on a single cane for multiple seasons. All of them have lived under my care from 3 to 4 years. They're all noids.

I have 3 more phal type dendrobiums that have not repeated blooms from a single cane. They're all smaller rescues that are still in recovery phase. One of them has never bloomed.

I'm the same. Mine went out in high light as early in the year as I thought the temps would be alright and it started spiking off an old cane no long afterwards. It has had so much light it's got a red tint... but seems really happy.

This gives me hope! I have 2 NOID phal type dendrobiums (both pretty large in size) that were given to me as gifts that have not rebloomed in 18 months.:bua: I had them inside last summer, but this April I put them outside - one in full morning sun and one in full late afternoon (after 3pm) sun. Both are putting out new canes, but still no spikes. If increased light intensity is driving all of your blooms, then hopefully it'll work this year for me!:pray: If not, then it's full sun for most of the day and they'll either bloom or fry!

The mature canes with leaves from last season will probably be the first to bloom. Keep checking at the tips and a few nodes back. The new growths will have to mature before blooming. You might not see any action out of the new growths till next spring.

To prevent sunburn...Check your leaves frequently while they're transitioning to higher light. Too much sun will rapidly result in areas of color fade and leaves that feel hot to the touch. These symptoms indicate the need for a little more shade. Good luck! :)

o have one that is blooming from previously bloomed canes. one cane has two spikes!

:cheer::cheer::cheer:

that sounds like what mine get

Mine get a red tint when in hight light which indicates it's very high but not yet burning them. Not all of them may get this though (probably genetic) one of mine burns before it turns red and also burns in the same light that the others seem to like.

I summer Dendrobium bigibbum var compactum outdoors where it gets direct sunlight from sunrise to noon, and then indirect sunlight for the rest of the day. It often and easily spikes from previously bloomed pseudobulbs. I have noticed that older leafless pseudobulbs tend to produce keikis, profusely. It winters indoors under CFL lights and does not produce as many new flower spikes as during summer outdoors. The Bakers' culture sheets say that bigibbum seldom grow into large clumps and old pseudobulbs prone to die back - this is true in my experience.

Junebug, may i know the id of the white + purple dendro in your previous post? I have something similar.

Wish I could help, but all of my phal type dendrobiums are noids. Without a name tag it's anyone's guess...but only a guess.;)

Dendrobium help please
 

Hello, I am new to orchid plants and I have a dendrobium type right now. I am not very sure about the lighting the dendrobiums need since I read different things online. Some say 50% of sunlight some say only morning sun and some say cycle of light. I only have windows in my house at the southeast side and northwest side. I know phalanenopsis orchids would do well under my light conditions but I feel like the dendrobium need more light. Can anyone give me on some advice on where I should put my dendrobium orchid? Is light sufficient? Or should I place it outside of the northwest side only in the afternoon and let it sit in half sun half shade after 3pm? Ive read almost everything online and it really confuses me. i understand the basics of caring for an orchid but when it comes down to actually deciding how much light is enough for this dendrobium i doubt and wonder if it is enough or too much. my windows definitely give only shaded light and it does not face the ideal direction. please help. Thank you

It's difficult to say. Is your dendrobium a phal type? Phal type dendrobiums grow and bloom better under bright lighting conditions, however I don't recommend direct sunlight. There are other things to consider when choosing a location such as air circulation, humidity, and the length of time that the plant will be exposed to sunlight. A bright window that receives 4 to 6 hours of sunlight would probably work well, but you will probably need to filter the light with partially opened blinds or sheer/curtains. In my case the eaves of my house block the sun from pouring in the window. Never move a plant abruptly from a shady area into higher lighting conditions. Slowly acclimate the plant to increased sunlight. Touch the leaves and if they feel warm you should back down on the sunlight. If growing outdoors you can provide shade with leaves and tree limbs. Lattice structures work great too. Remember to check the leaves for heat. Pay attention to the patterns of shade cast throughout the day outdoors and also the length of time and time of day of areas receiving direct sunlight. Remember that your looking for a bright dappled effect and not direct sunlight. Another thing to note when growing outdoors is the transition of sunlight during seasonal changes. Monitor your sun exposure and make adjustments accordingly. I hope this was helpful. Good luck.

Thank you it is helpful. I am planning to leave it outside the porch since there is sun after 3pm but I can put it in a corner where the sun cannot reach it but the plant will get light... I'm not sure what kind of dendrobium I have. I thought I had a phal den but the flowers are a little smaller than those Hybrids and the blooms are green. I read somewhere that these plants need a lot more sunlight and water than the phal orchids.. So if the late afternoon sun does hit it would it be a problem? I tried that yesterday and the leaves were not hot. But maybe because its only been one day?

Oh and how do I tell what kind of a dendrobium do I have?

I have had phal dendrobiums that would only get the odd bloom spike and one that was a multiple bloomer. I have recently bought one on ebay which is doing well in s/h in lava rock. I hope it is a multi bloomer.

Try and post a picture here, and someone will tell you. Or get a reference book from a shop, or your local library. Phal types produce flowers on a stem from the top of each cane, nobile types have flowers borne directly on the canes.

Look through old posts, there are lots of photos of beautiful plants here

You just blew my mind. LOL! Thats really cool. Thanks for the info.

Phal type dens will also spike from nodes located further down the cane along the nodes, generally beside a leaf. They'll also spike from bare nodes midway down the cane. The first spike comes from the tip between the uppermost leaves. I've had them spike from older canes year after year, even below a break in the cane and in some cases just before the cane expires from old age.

It's o.k. if some sunlight hits the leaves, just not full exposure during the most intense/mid day phase. The sunlight promotes strong healthy growth and blooms. The canes will curve if there's not enough sunlight. With proper lighting they'll grow thick, tall, and erect. Deep green leaves are another indication that the plant needs more sunlight. The leaves should not be dark. A medium green is the leaf color you'll be trying to achieve. Cut back, but do not withhold water during Winter for the Phal type dendrobium. Protect them from temperatures dropping below 50 degrees. Resume a regular watering schedule after Winter when new growths appear at the base of the plant.

I'm afraid I'm scaring you from giving your plant enough sunlight. These plants love the sun. After 3:00 p.m. during this time of year might not be enough because the days are shorter. Early a.m. sun tapering off around noon would work well, with a little indirect sun during the rest of the day. My plants are shaded by a slat roof with trellised walls surrounding. My trellis is the large type with 4" holes. In my scenerio a lot of sun reaches the plants but I acclimated them slowly and they're used to it. Some of them reach for even higher lighting beyond the latticed walls. The important thing to remember is to acclimate your dendrobiums slowly to brighter light. Give them a few days to adjust before moving them again. If your at home on the days that you move them you can check the temperature of the leaves throughout the day and make adjustments to prevent sunburn if needed.