Hello from Sydney!
 

Hey there,

A new orchid fiend from Sydney, Australia here hoping to meet some like-minded people and learn from some more experienced growers.

I'll be sure to harass you with questions shortly on my two recent (and first) orchid acquisitions - a large post-bloom Phalaenopsis and what I think is a Phalaenopsis-type Dendrobium with only a single cane (not sure if I should be concerned about that?)...

Anyway just saying a quick hi, plus any responses to the little question I've already snuck in would be welcome ;)

Cheers!

Welcome to Orchid Board.

One cane on the Dendrobium is OK so long as it has healthy roots. If so it should but out another growth from the base. It shouldn't need a very big pot as they don't like being over potted.

If you like, once you have 5 posts, you can start a thread with a photo of the plant under Dendrobiums and people will chime in with suggestions.

Welcome to OrchidBoard :)

Thanks for the welcome guys, and Silken for putting my mind at ease. The roots look alright, according to my inexperienced judgement, but I'll definitely take that advice and start a thread eventually.

Welcome, VeoVerde.:)

:welcomeflowers:

Welcome!

It's Fall, so your Den phal might not grow until Spring. They don't like being cold and wet, so let it dry out between waterings. Keep it warm.

Thank you, estación seca! I will heed your advice. Given that the one cane is in full bloom, I'm intending to feed it a bloom-specific fertilizer occasionally. But would you recommend waiting until Spring and growth for feeding?

I fertilize my Den phal hybrids about once a month in the winter. I take care not to water them during cool, dark periods, which are rare here. I keep them inside because we can have occasional overnight frosts.

I wonder whether many people here growing in coastal Southern California, with a climate similar to Sydney's, grow Den phals outdoors in the winter?

Yes, I've been resisting the urge to water and feed because so far it's been quite cold, dark and wet here. When I do though, I'm planning on using a fertilizer for blooming as per most phal advice I've read. But I wonder if that's actually suitable for Dendrobium given that, from what I've read so far, they seem to have a less cyclical blooming habit?

If I've sucked you into an endless thread of questions, it's not too late to back out - I won't take offense :)

Hello and welcome! :)

Welcome to the board. You don't really need a bloom booster fert. the rule of thumb for most orchids is feed weekly weakly. Just see if you can find a good orchid fertilizer and don't use the full strength.

Den phal hybrids originate with Den. phalaenopsis and Den bigibbum (which some say is Den. phal.) These are plants native to Australia. Read up on them and you can see what climate patterns they have. Of course, other species are mixed in as well, and orchid hybrids tend not to have the rigid seasonal growth pattern of many species.

Brilliant, thanks for the advice guys!