Den. anosmum flowering habit ? - Orchid Board

JennS · #1 02-11-2009, 02:49 PM

Hello. I have a Den. anosmum that I have tried my hardest to neglect this winter. I stopped fertilizing around beginning of November, which was still pretty warm here at the time. It got an occasional water due to going out of town and someone else watering it or the rain. Maybe about 4 waterings, but that is it. No fert. I am starting to see 2 new growths, so I started to water it more frequently. Is that correct? Then, I noticed that at the nodes of last seasons growths, they are starting to split and send out something. I can't tell if it is to be flowers or keikis though. Can anyone tell me if they look distinctly different at that point? It looks kind of pointy, almost like it has the mitten on it like Phal spikes look like at the beginning. I am worried they are keikis (I know still better then nothing) especially since both canes still have about 3 leaves on the ends that never dropped. Any thoughts?

I will try to take some pics to post with my ancient camera if I can even get that close up. THanks in advance.

isurus79 · #2 02-11-2009, 04:28 PM

DO NOT WATER YOUR PLANT!!!!!!!!!!!! If you water it too soon, your nubbins will turn into keikis rather than flowers. When you can distinguish for a fact that you have flower buds and not keikis, then you can begin watering. Just give your plant some more neglect and it will reward you with some of the best smelling flowers around!!

Ross · #3 02-11-2009, 04:59 PM

I agree with Steve. It requires a full and complete rest for most people. Never water until the flower buds are fairly large, like this

Once the flower buds are firmly established you can start watering again, but not as frequently until the green growths get an inch or so long. When dormant, the plant lives off the bare canes for food and moisture.

JennS · #4 02-15-2009, 11:24 AM

Thank you for letting me know the clear path for how to treat this guy. I really appreciate it. I accidently did water it once before seeing this post, so hopefully that will not be too much. I have moved it so that it won't get any rain or anything, so my fingers are crossed that it will work out. Thanks for your help, Steve and Ross!

blackorchid · #5 02-27-2009, 06:16 PM

I watered immediately after I see new growth swelling at the base a month ago....is this a wrong move? The whole plant looks like it's mature enough to flower, but I only see green growth.... Despite the fact that It has been 3 months of no water, I guess the rest cycle is not fully over yet. Oh well, next year....

Ross · #6 02-28-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackorchid

I watered immediately after I see new growth swelling at the base a month ago....is this a wrong move? The whole plant looks like it's mature enough to flower, but I only see green growth.... Despite the fact that It has been 3 months of no water, I guess the rest cycle is not fully over yet. Oh well, next year....

Normally you should wait till flower buds develop on the bare canes before introducing water. The green shoot(s) aren't a good indicator since they often precede the flower buds.

blackorchid · #7 03-02-2009, 09:27 AM

okay, I guess next year I'll have double bloom

susiep · #8 03-02-2009, 10:07 AM

This thread is perfectly timed for me. I just got one of these this past weekend and was wondering how to care for it. It is only one cane with what I think is one tiny new growth just starting. The cane is covered with about 40 buds and most are well developed. I believe it will bloom next week.

So how do I go forward from here. I watered it after I got it home because I was worried about buds dropping if it got too dried out. (It traveled here from Hawaii) The vendor said give it light like I do my catts or vandas. However since the temps dropped below 50 last night I brought it in the house for now. But after blooming it will live out in the shade house in the hot Florida rainy weather.

My questions:

How often should I water while it is blooming?

The vendor told me to give it a lot of fertilizer during the growing season (does that start when the flowers fall off?) And to water it heavily.

When do I back off on the fert/water? Taper off or abruptly?

Thanks for any advice! I love dens and usually just let them grow wild, but this one may not bloom again if I treat it like that.

Ross · #9 03-02-2009, 01:14 PM

Susan, I hope you enjoy your new orchid, it's a great choice. I have two and they are coming into bloom now.

The new green growth is the next cane just starting. This is one of the few orchids that tends to form new rootlets on older roots (they branch) so try to avoid damaging the roots. You should be watering regularly now that buds have formed and growth is starting. Is it mounted or potted? Mine are mounted and get soaked in dilute fertilizer daily.

In the fall (say about Halloween) start withholding all water and fertilizer and force the plant into dormancy. All the leaves should yellow and fall off. Wait until the new flower buds form in the spring before you start watering again.

Hope this helps.

susiep · #10 03-02-2009, 09:53 PM

Thanks, Ross! Will do! Mine is in a pot. The grower suggested putting a lot of timed release pellets on top of the media in the pot and pouring dilute fertilizer through it as usual. He said it needs a lot of fert during the growing season. I guess so to grow out to 4 ft in one season! My last question is when do I start to fertilize? After the flowers fall off? Then straight through until I stop watering in the fall? Thanks again.