Before I kill it... - Orchid Board

ChasWG · #1 03-14-2009, 10:38 PM

I was hoping for some help with this new addition to my orchid collection. (Ok, there's only 3 plants so far, but there'll be more) It is a Den. Norma Jackson x Den. Pink Sunshine. I can't seem to find any pictures of what this plant will look like when it flowers. And maybe a little help with it's feeding and care would be helpful too. I bought it a couple of days back and don't really know much about it other than it looks to be in very health shape. I repotted it from it's nasty terracotta pot into a simularly sized orchid pot with holes in the sides. It came planted in the redish bark/charcol/perilite mix. When I did pull it out it looked very healthy in the root department too. No nasty looking roots and nice and green to whiteish. The plant has 5 stalks with the tallest being about 18" tall and then stepping down from there to one that is just poking it head above the bark. The leaves look nice a medium green and are very stiff with no dark spots.

So what do I do not to kill it?

Some pictures:

And this one because I thought it was a good photo:

Thanks in advance!!!

kiki-do · #2 03-14-2009, 11:29 PM

Hi Chas,
I'm not great with Dendrobiums, but I would say high light and water well, then let completely dry out between waterings. I know this forum has some great tips on dendrobiums that you might want to check out. That is a hardcane den., so that makes a difference in it's care.

RosieC · #3 03-15-2009, 05:36 PM

I don't have this particular Den and different types, but mine does well in fairly bright light and watering it about the same as my Phals.

Take a look at these links for more info on Den care.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...endrobium.html

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...endrobe-1-.pdf

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...-dendrobe2.pdf

ChasWG · #4 03-15-2009, 09:31 PM

Rosie, Thanks! I just got back from the annual Denver Orchid Society show and sale and actually picked up a hard copy of that first pdf file. And they gave me the link to find the rest of those pdfs for future refrence. I'm still not sure which class this Dendro I have falls into, but I'll keep reading and try my best to classify it and do the best I can for it. Thanks!

Also, it was really nice talking to people that live here in my High Plains Desert and try to do the same thing I'm doing with these humidity loving plants. The annual humidity here in the Denver, CO area is around 14%. That ain't a lot. So there is some work to do to make these plants survive.

Again, Thanks!

RosieC · #5 03-16-2009, 07:15 PM

I know the problem with trying to work out which type a Den falls into. I faced the same problem with mine.

You have the advantage of knowing the hybrid (mine is a NOID) so maybe someone with OrchidWiz will be able to look up 'Den. Norma Jackson x Den. Pink Sunshine' for you.

Austinerd · #6 03-16-2009, 07:56 PM

Hi Chas,
So about that phal you posted, is it a NOID or do you happen to know the cultivar? I have one that is almost identical and it is my favorite of all of my orchids. If you don't mind, go to member galleries and search "austinerd" it is a dead-ringer! Mine has 2 spikes with about 13 or 14 flowers each, about 1.5-2" across. I have always been curious about this one...if you have any more info that would be super! Sorry this is off-subject!
Thanks!
Dan in Austin

quiltergal · #7 03-16-2009, 10:58 PM

I don't see a Den. Pink Sunshine in OW. There is a Pink Sunrise. If that's the other half of the cross then your plant is made up primarily of Den. phalaenopsis. Grow it warm and bright, no winter rest.

ChasWG · #8 03-17-2009, 01:29 AM

Thanks for the info quiltergal!
The plant came from Fantasy Orchids in Louisville, CO. The same folks who cultivated my Brassavola cordata. I got to talk with some of them this past Sunday at the annual Denver Orchid Society show and sale. Nice folks and not too pushy with their wares. I did end up buying their fert and plant nutriants combo. Maybe I should ask them if they ment Den. Pink Sunrise or Sunshine. Maybe they simply messed up the tag????

Any pictures of what the blooms will look like?

ChasWG · #9 03-17-2009, 01:43 AM

Dan, I haven't a clue what that odd little Phal is. I asked if anyone knew it on the "Identify This" forum, but all I got was, "It's a Phal..."
It is a pretty little plant and the colors of the flowers have grown on me. The pinkish red lip have just gotten more intense over the past several days since opening. It now has two fully open flowers and at least 4 more buds to go. I got this plant from that wonderful plant, lumber and hardware store know as Home Depot. So I guess it's a NOID. Carl is what I call mine! The flowers weren't open, but it was the healthiest looking plant in the hurd so I bought it. I guess I tend to buy plants that look stronger, over which ones have the prettiest flowers. That comes from buying too many crappy plants for outside my last two houses and then have them wilt under the tough outside conditions of the Colorado summers.

This is why I think I can make these orchids grow, I'm doing fairly well with my many challenging bushes and trees that I have growing in my yard. Some very well adapted to the environment, some not so perfect for nasty Colorado clay soil with no organic matter to speak of. One of my trees is a very special on to me. It did wonderfully last year and looks great this spring time already. If interested look up this little bugger, Metasequoia glyptostroboides‏. Yeah, that's right, it said sequoia in the name of the tree...

Big things Manard, big things!!!!!!

quiltergal · #10 03-17-2009, 02:18 AM

Chas, the Norma Jackson is a really dark red with slightly twisty petals (a little of the Antelope section in it's breeding). No clue on the Pink whatever. I'd hazzard a guess but I've found that orchid names don't always describe their flower very well.