Dendrobium cucumerium culture?

[rtbaum]

I am making progress on setup of my orchidarium. My question today involves the proper culture of Dendrobium cucumerium. Specifically, placement within 18x18x24 exoterra, Target temps, humidity levels, light requirements, etc. Current setup is egg crate suspended 1.5" above base inside the orchidarium. I have old and weathered deer skull as decor and for mount for assorted orchids. Mist king should arrive tomorrow. Fans are wired and ready. I will work on shooting an image once it is setup. This orchid is currently in a 2" pot sitting and begging me to mount it properly. Lighting is 2- LED floods set on plexiglass cover....seems pretty bright to me!. I do realize that it needs to dry during day.

I will follow up with further cultural questions for other orchids as time passes

Let the adventure begin

[wintergirl]

I have one that is mounted on a small flatt piece of wood that I laid directly under a Kool-log. It gets little drips here and there on the mounting moss and plant daily. It is in a North window with some added light.

[Pattywack]

I have two of these orchids, both growing in terrarium settings. I use cfl bulbs and water, mist daily. My oldest plant is mounted on fern bark, attached to the background in an Exoterra, at the top, close to the light. The light is Exoterra as well, 26 wt. It has grown well here though not ever bloomed...yet. I originally kept it in a countertop greenhouse and it really didn't grow well there. Not as much humidity or as much light. It has been in the Exoterra since last June and much happier. I hope to see it flower this year. I've had this one for at least 3 years. I fertilize weakly weekly.

My second plant is also in a terrarium setting, it is mounted on cork and growing well. This plant receives less light, farther away from the bulb. It receives daily water same as the other. I do not use fans in either terrarium. Temperatures run around 80 daytime and high 60's to mid 70's at night.

Both setups have fairly high humidity, 70 to 80%. Hope that helps a bit.

---------- Post added at 08:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:13 AM ----------

I have two other Dendrobium in the Exoterra mounted at the top along with the cucumerinum. They are torresae and lichenastrum. These seem to be happy little plants as well.

[rtbaum]

Originally Posted by Pattywack

I have two of these orchids, both growing in terrarium settings. I use cfl bulbs and water, mist daily. My oldest plant is mounted on fern bark, attached to the background in an Exoterra, at the top, close to the light. The light is Exoterra as well, 26 wt. It has grown well here though not ever bloomed...yet. I originally kept it in a countertop greenhouse and it really didn't grow well there. Not as much humidity or as much light. It has been in the Exoterra since last June and much happier. I hope to see it flower this year. I've had this one for at least 3 years. I fertilize weakly weekly.

My second plant is also in a terrarium setting, it is mounted on cork and growing well. This plant receives less light, farther away from the bulb. It receives daily water same as the other. I do not use fans in either terrarium. Temperatures run around 80 daytime and high 60's to mid 70's at night.

Both setups have fairly high humidity, 70 to 80%. Hope that helps a bit.

---------- Post added at 08:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:13 AM ----------

I have two other Dendrobium in the Exoterra mounted at the top along with the cucumerinum. They are torresae and lichenastrum. These seem to be happy little plants as well.

Thank you, it does. The mist-king should show up today and it will be game on

[Pattywack]

Originally Posted by rtbaum

Thank you, it does. The mist-king should show up today and it will be game on

Nice! I hand mist, my Exoterra is only 12x12x18 and I'm a stickler for water spotting on the glass so no misting system.

If you like Dendrobium, check out these other two as they are awesome orchids even when not blooming.

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[rtbaum]

It will be sharing the tank with Phal. manni, Phal. bellina, and Leptotes bicolor. In your opinion, would this be a good mix?

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by rtbaum

It will be sharing the tank with Phal. manni, Phal. bellina, and Leptotes bicolor. In your opinion, would this be a good mix?

As a simple answer, NO! Both the Dendrobium and the Lepotes want significantly higher light than the Phals, and in such a small space it's going to be difficult to accomplish. And, frankly, not a wise direction to take. Imagine putting a cat and a rat in the same cage and expecting both to survive.

Your approach seems just a bit haphazard. You appear to be choosing the plants you want, deciding what to put together, and only then looking into the culture of the plants. If you want to be successful, you would benefit from determining the cultural conditions first, and then choosing plants to fit those conditions, grouping plants with like needs together.

[wintergirl]

The light problem can be easy, shade with other plants. The thing I worry about is moisture levels, but keep one side dryer than the other and place plants accordingly. Then watch them like a hawk at least twice a day.

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by wintergirl

The light problem can be easy, shade with other plants. The thing I worry about is moisture levels, but keep one side dryer than the other and place plants accordingly. Then watch them like a hawk at least twice a day.

Or, as an alternative, only put plants together in a tank if they naturally will do well together. It's a LOT easier than trying to adapt your conditions for a plant.

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

Or, as an alternative, only put plants together in a tank if they naturally will do well together. It's a LOT easier than trying to adapt your conditions for a plant.

True but if you only have so much room, you can try