dendrobium help

[StevenU]

Hey dendrobium lovers, I would appreciate your advice. I grow many different orchids and have no problems getting them to bloom and flourish, not so with dendrobiums.

Bought one (typical garden store variety) in hawaii 3 years ago. It has bloomed but on the old growth, but I cannot get it to put out any new canes. I did get one keiki but even that didn't grow when I potted it up for two years. Its roots never grew past the point where they were when I removed it from the mother plant.

I put the plant outside for the summer and in a south window in the winter (Minnesota winter sun is pretty weak). I fertilize as well.

Just bought a D. nobile and don't want a repeat performance on this one.
Ideas?

[Phantasm]

Dendrobiums are the largest genus within Orchidaceae.
They grow in many very different habitats, so it's hard to nail down their requirements unless you know the parents. Den. nobile is pretty easy as long as you understand its needs.

The primary season for growing Den. nobile is beginning about now (spring) as the available light is increasing. It's a good time to repot after they are done flowering. (mine are still blooming). They appreciate good light similar to cattleya light 2000-3000 footcandles and lots of water and fertilizer to push the plant a bit during the summer. In the fall, slow it down and cut your water/fertilizer way down in the winter. They can almost go without water for a few weeks, but I don't get that extreme. Grow them on the dry side for sure.....

They also can handle quite cool temperatures in the winter, even down to 40F or so but I try to go no lower than 50F or so. They need cool temperatures, and to be dry in the winter to bloom well.

Hopefully this helps!

[justatypn]

Phantasm....very well put...couldn't said it better myself. Dend's are such a wide variety if what you have done to this point is not working, work on making its environment growing friendly. Change a few things and you will see a definite difference...dormacy is usually 2-3 months. Mine are showing activity now, 2 completed their blooming process and saving the best for last. Thought my Dend. aggregatum would never wake up but once they show life again, they will flourish. My nobile is finally showing some inflorescence, late but producing. Dendrobiums are temperamental and will pout a good one until the correct environment is found and thereafter...watch for the showing.

[cherlon]

I was having the same problem w/ my dend. as well. I put it under fluorescent light over the winter and have moved to the south window a couple of weeks ago. I think It's growing either a couple of spikes or a new keiki. I can't tell just yet. There are also two new leaf stalks appearing. I started to fertilize once a week w/ a weak solution and water about once a week. I have heard that if you can grow African violets sucessfully, you should have the same results with Dendrobiums. I'm still fairly new to orchid culture, and I'm having fun learning and growing them. Right now, I have 4 phals in bloom and one of them has a new spike ready to bloom. does any one have good source for online orchid sources? I'm ready to add to my collection. Also any info on miniature varieties would be appreciated.
Thanks, Cherlon

[justatypn]

Here are a few vendors in which I purchase from
Littlefrog Farm (an OB member )

Oak Hill Gardens (our OB Project #2 vendor )

Home Page (OB Project #3 )

Woodstream Orchids (tidbit of info on miniture orchids)

[Orchonubee]

I love Dendobium, and for the first couple of years, I did what many do when they start out. I over watered in the winter. Since I cut back to just a light misting occasionally in the winter, and no fertilizer, I've been more successful in getting them to bloom. All need a rest and reduced water in the winter, but some more so than others. Also, I believe I've done better with cane orchids mounted, rather than potted or in a basket. You will find the Baker's book, Vol 2, that's specific to Dendrobium, a great aid, if you can find one.

	Mistking Looking for a misting system? Look no further. Automated misting systems from MistKing are used by multitude of plant enthusiasts and are perfect for Orchids. Systems feature run dry pumps, ZipDrip valve, adjustable black nozzles, per second control! Automatically mist one growing shelf or a greenhouse full of Orchids. See MistKing testimonials

[Orchonubee]

Originally Posted by StevenU

It has bloomed but on the old growth, but I cannot get it to put out any new canes.

Just bought a D. nobile and don't want a repeat performance on this one.
Ideas?

Many Dendrobium only bloom on the old growth canes.

I have not been very successful with D. nobile. I recently read on this forum a comment that they need to be explosed to cold temps in the winter to trigger blooming. Overnight lows are below 50 in their native habitat. I will leave them out next winter (Cen Fl) and see if that does the trick. Good luck with this one.

[cherlon]

Thanks for the info. My husband says In need another orchid like I need another hole in my head, lol.
Cherlon

[justatypn]

You know Cherlon in the orchid dictionary that means go buy more orchids

[Orchonubee]

Cherlon, Now that you've learned the definition of your name in Orchidese, here's something else to consider. A wise scribe was quoted in mad magazine many years ago, "one can never have too many orchids". And, another was quoted, "most orchid lovers are obsessive compulsive buyers".

Rico