How to identify Hard or Soft cane Dendrobium
 

How do you tell the difference between a Hard cane Dend. and a soft cane Dend.? The illustrations in the books I've read are unclear. :scratchhead: All of the descriptions on the internet sites that I've ordered from don't specify type.
I'm learning so much everyday about my 'chids, and I've fallen in love with all of them. My Oncid " Jungle Monarch is definitely in spike. There are two spikes that are about 6" tall with tiny buds on them. Can't wait until they bloom!!!
Happy growing! Cheryl

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I'm interested in someone's answer to this question.

This is a huge question and hopefully one of the members will chime in...but the best way that I can describe the difference is in the blooms themselves. A softcane "dendrobium nobile" blooms on the stalk unlike a hardcane "dendrobium phalaenopsis" which blooms from a stem off of the stalk. Hope this makes sense, hard for me to explain.

As for these two types of dendrobiums, there culture is different. The nobile likes to stay dry during winter months and increase watering and fert when you see your dend first starting to produce blooms.

The hardcane Dendrobium phalaenopsis may bloom at any time during the year and the flowers last for four to eight weeks, a slight slowing down of watering in the winter. The resemblance between their flowers are those of the Phalaenopsis or moth orchid.

The most commonly bought dendrobium is the nobile, which is usually found at box stores as well as other noted type stores.

Please don't hesitate to correct me, always has me baffled.:hmm

Cherlon, first let me apologize for letting your question slip by...sorry :(

Here's a link to the best dendrobium article I've ever seen! If you print it out, be prepared for 12 pages!
Dendrobium Orchids and Grow Orchids with Bribie Island Orchid Society

Thanks for the reply. I can grow some types that others find difficult, but I cannot keep a Den alive for the life of me. They DIMP every time. So even with 190 + 'chids I'm still trying to figure this one out. I placed an order last week and the vendor threw in 4 dens (out of the goodness of their heart). They had no idea they were throwing those poor plants to the wolves. But it is my mission not to have them DIMP.

cheryl, in my limited experience the big box stores around here sell exclusively phal-type dendrobium hybrids, not nobile-types. but your descriptions are correct. I seem to remember reading that there's actually something like 10 different sections within dendrobium, not just these two, and in last month's orchids there was a letter saying that winter rests for dend nobile are not required. so I guess I'm just stirring the pot a little because I would like to hear more opinions. and if anyone has some recs on pretty, easy to grow dends, I'm all ears!

One of my books lists 6 groups of dens, two of which are deciduous, and 4 which are persistent. When I get home tonight I'll give you the reader's digest version. ;)

I seem to have the dendrobium touch. I have 1 phal type which is considered a hard cane, warm grower, no winter rest, 1 nobile which is a soft cane, cool grower, needs a winter rest, and a forumosum/cruentum hybrid that is a soft cane, intermediate grower, that likes reduced water & feeding in winter but not a true rest. All three have bloomed for me and are currently putting out new growth like crazy. They all like high light, and regular watering in the growing season. OTOH, I have a hard time keeping some phals happy! :roll:

This post has really got my attention ! as I thought of this very same question 4 days ago when I was given a dendrobium nobile (which I have identified on as a stardust 'firebird' thanks to a member of this board )
I have only ever had one other dendrobium which I managed to kill by overwatering (I now know thanks again to this board)
and I would be very interested to know the finer details of your growing area...seeing I have never totally killed a phal but have a Dend !

Okay, I dug up a Classification Form from my club's last show. This is what we have to choose from when registering our Dens:

Den species
Den hybrid - Nobile type
Den Hybrid - Formosae type
Den hybrid - Phalaenopsis type - Solid colors
Den hybrid - Phalaenopsis type - Stripes
Den hybrid - Phalaenopsis type - Multiple Tones
Den hybrid - Nigrohirsute type (FYI: stems have black hairs)
Den hybrid - Latouria type
Den Hybrid - Callista type
Den hybrid - Spatulata type (FYI: antelope/twisted petals type)
Den - other than above
Den First Bloom Seedling - divisions and mericlones excluded
Den miniature - foliage less than 6 inches

:yikes:

By the way, anybody interested in learning about Dens should read the article in the link I posted in my first response here.