Dendrobium tannii 'Dark Pink', what to pot in
 

Hi. I joined the Orchid Board back in 2016 but never posted. I've been growing orchids for many years -- mostly Cattleya hybrids, Australian Dendrobium, Cymbidium, I'm in Southern California and grow outside and in a shadehouse. I just acquired Dendrobium tannii. It's bare root but will never survive here (bare root and without a greenhouse). I need to know if it will thrive in a medium and if so, what? bark? moss? Does it need to be in a greenhouse? warm or cool growing? Will it grow in a shadehouse where winters are mild and summers can get to 110? Appreciate any help.

wendy

Time to officially welcome you to Orchidboard!

I'm not familiar with Dendrobium tannii, so had to look it up. I find info indicating that it is a variety of bracteosum, so Den bracteosum var. tannii. So you can try looking up info with that name if you don't get advice here. Orchidwiz says it can grow mounted in humid environments, and otherwise does well potted in a shallow pot in a well draining medium.

I learned that Den bracteosum does very well potted (just ordered a hybrid of this species so looked up culture!), takes intermediate to warm temperatures, rather bright light (I think Catt levels or similar) and needs fairly heavy watering in the growing season.

What do you mean by bare root? Do you mean that it's mounted to a slab of wood or cork?

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

This plant must stay moist when making new growth. Dendrobiums in general are like that. 110 F / 43C would be risky. The higher the humidity the better.

Welcome to the board.