Dendrobium phal x? NOID
 

I purchased this orchid from a flower show almost a year ago. It was not very happy to begin with and has since lost most of its original leaves but is now in active growth again. I give it bright indirect light with intermediate temperatures, though the area it stays in can get a bit cool during the winter. I have restricted watering during its dormancy and am now feeding it while letting the potting medium get rather dry before watering again. My house is rather dry due to a wood stove and try to compensate with a humidifier. I believe this is a Dendrobium phal hybrid, but am unsure. As seen in the photos, the canes start thick at the base and then become thin at the top. Average cane length is 2-3” (5-7cm) with the average length of the mature (yet unhappy looking) leaves being 2” (5cm). My goal is to ID this little orchid ASAP now that it is in active growth, as I would like it to flower successfully. Though I’m sure it will be easier to ID once it flowers.

There is a species of Dendrobium called "Dendrobium phalaenopsis". Hybrids between the 2 genera Dendrobium and Phalaenopsis are impossible.

It maybloom with phal level light. It would prefer to grow in mid level light as an oncidium would prefer. Water as they approach dryness. Medium bark. Don't cut old canes, they can bloom again.

Hmm. To me it looks a bit more like some sort of a Den kingianum, or related, than a Den phal type hybrid. The leaves look a little more rounded for a kingianum but there are lots of different forms and varieties of Den kingianum that I have not seen in person, not to mention all of the hybrids. The top of the leafless canes in pic 2 are what is making me think it’s not a Den Phal type. Different care for those two types. The Aussie Dens (kingianum species and others) get a bit of a rest in the winter, especially from fertilizer, and needs cool temps. On the other hand- the Den Phal types grow, get water and fertilized year round and want to stay warm. Neither type should be dropping their leaves every year and have completely bare canes. I would certainly water it more, if anything, regardless of what type it is. That little pot with chunky bark is going to dry out quick

Edit: I thought I should add that hopefully we can figure out what type your Den is, ie, what section it falls under. There are quite a few and many need slightly, or, extremely different care. here are some of the different types-
https://www.aos.org/AOS/media/Conten...m-sections.pdf
And here The Six Horticultural Groups of Dendrobium
But even when it does flower getting a positive ID is not truly possible. As long as you know the type you should be able to care for it properly :greenthumb:

:oops_sign Yes, that was written out improperly. I meant that they were possibly a dendrobium phalaenopsis hybrid.

---------- Post added at 10:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:44 PM ----------

Thank you! That is a great place to start. I appreciate the instruction, and your willingness to help. As of now, it is still in the original growing medium from when I purchased it, as I was unsure of the type and what to use or when it should be re-potted. The medium is a mix of small LECA beads, small to medium chunk charcoal, pumice, and the bark on top. I'll make sure to give it more water also.

It looks like an 'Aussie' type Dendrobium (= based on kingianum, probably with a dash of speciosum and possibly a few other species).

I’d agree that it’s a kingianum type Dendrobium. It looks a lot like my Berry Oda which is in that group. I think there are two keikis forming in Photo 2.

Keith