I just put Den. Aggregatum in S/H, is that a bad idea?

[Berrybee]

I searched this forum, but didn't find any post about growing Den. Aggregatum in S/H culture. The reason I did that is I'm afraid I'll always underwater it if it stays in the basket it came with. One difficulty I realized after I took it out of the basket is to stabilize the plant in pot. And to get the old medium out of the roots is a pain.

I'm not sure if this is a good or bad idea, or it all depends on other conditions I can provide for its growth. Would anyone with more experience give me some opinions? Thanks in advance!

[mtorchid]

Putting your Den into s/h is a good idea, the clay pellets will supply ample moisture and air for the roots. Your Den will like warm temps and higher humidity for most of the year. Try "nesting" the pot it is in inside a heavier pot it it's top heavy. Check out the Dendrobium forum here for more detailed info, look for the "Sticky" note at the top. I love Dendrobiums and I'm sure you will too!

---------- Post added at 04:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:47 AM ----------

P.S., another great thing about clay pellets is that "painful" process of extracting bark medium from roots when re-potting will be history. There will be no need to remove the pellets from roots that are clinging to them as they don't break down like regular orchid potting mixes - easy!

[Fairorchids]

I have never grown SH, so can't say whether this will work or not. However, this Den needs 90-120 days of ZERO water, cooler temps & bright light from Oct-Jan (or till buds appear). Is that doable in SH?

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

I have never grown SH, so can't say whether this will work or not. However, this Den needs 90-120 days of ZERO water, cooler temps & bright light from Oct-Jan (or till buds appear). Is that doable in SH?

Actually, lots of folks with experience growing plants that need a "winter rest" in S/H (I don't grow them) have proven the "zero water" thing not to be the case at all.

The key is zero nutrients, not zero water.

If you think about the plants in nature, they only get fed when it rains, and they get fed whenever it rains. Those plants typically have dry seasons, when there is no rain, hence no food. it's pretty obvious to the observer that there is no rain, but the "no food" part is easy to miss.

Yes, withholding water can be done is S/H culture, but it's not necessary, as long as you use nutrient-free water.

[mtorchid]

Yes, "zero water" is an exaggeration. The suggestions I have read all seem to revolve around some version of - just give enough water to keep the pbulbs/canes from shriveling up. It certainly worked for my deciduous Den, plus making sure it was in a part of the house at night that experienced a good 10-20 degree drop in temp to around 50-55 degrees.

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by Ray

Actually, lots of folks with experience growing plants that need a "winter rest" in S/H (I don't grow them) have proven the "zero water" thing not to be the case at all.

The key is zero nutrients, not zero water.

If you think about the plants in nature, they only get fed when it rains, and they get fed whenever it rains. Those plants typically have dry seasons, when there is no rain, hence no food. it's pretty obvious to the observer that there is no rain, but the "no food" part is easy to miss.

Yes, withholding water can be done is S/H culture, but it's not necessary, as long as you use nutrient-free water.

In my opinion Den aggregatum is a special case. In my dad's commercial nursery this species was given zero water from Oct to Jan, and watered like Cattleyas the rest of the year. They grew, and flowered, fine under those conditions.

I tried the water/no feed approach in 2012/2013. No flowers.

In 2013/2014 I placed it high and bright, and gave it zero water. Two large spikes. And, plant did not get desiccated by that treatment.

[mtorchid]

Assume by "no water" you mean no additional water beyond what your "commercial nursery" provides with ideal humidity levels. In nature, even during dry periods, there is still a substantial amount of dew available to orchids so that has to be provided somehow, either through a perfect growing environment, or for most people who are home growers via minimal watering and or misting. Orchids don't change into cacti during their "winter rest" ;-)

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[mtorchid]

P.S. re "zero water", here's a basic Dewpoint graph. Even with a low level of humidity (20%, the red colored line) moisture in the air will condense into liquid water at around 55 degrees. It's not a monsoon, but apparently enough to keep wild orchids (Dens in this case) alive during the winter months.

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by mtorchid

P.S. re "zero water", here's a basic Dewpoint graph. Even with a low level of humidity (20%, the red colored line) moisture in the air will condense into liquid water at around 55 degrees. It's not a monsoon, but apparently enough to keep wild orchids (Dens in this case) alive during the winter months.

If there is enough moisture in air, yes, condensation can form. However, most greenhouse thermostats are set at 55F or higher.

What I meant is 'no watering of the plant, from Oct 1st thru Jan (or till buds appear)'.

This Dendrobium does not become desiccated by this treatment, as it evolved in an environment with this weather pattern.

[BettyE]

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

I have never grown SH, so can't say whether this will work or not. However, this Den needs 90-120 days of ZERO water, cooler temps & bright light from Oct-Jan (or till buds appear). Is that doable in SH?

Ask Ray...he's the person who knows...BettyE.