Dendrobium Hibiki care
 

Hello

I recently purchased a Dendrobium Hibiki online – my first orchid beyond a couple of phals. It came in a 6cm pot and, though my understanding is that dendrobiums like to be potted small, this plant seems particularly large for its pot. Would re-potting it into a slightly larger pot be sensible?

A second question: a leaf with browning at the base and yellowing elsewhere has fallen from the plant. A couple of other leaves have some yellowing on the tips. What might be the cause of these issues? I am keeping the plant (along with two other newly-bought dendrobiums I may soon ask about!) in a south-facing window in the UK, and though I have for the most part been diligent in closing the window's shaded curtain when the clouds have parted, I may have been tardy on occasion. Could this be the cause?

Many thanks in advance for any guidance.

First, Welcome!

That is a healthy-looking, husky plant. I think that it could be moved up to a slightly larger pot. Also, that will give you a chance to look at the roots, which will help you determine wheter there is a problem or if that leaf drop is just force of nature (losing old leaves does just happen) , I would suggest small or medium bark, or possibly an inorganic medium such as LECA. At any rate, it shouldn't ever dry out completely. This type doesn't really want a dry winter rest. This can be a really rewarding plant - long lasting, brilliantly-colored flowers, and producing new batches of them. Once it gets going, it can stay in bloom for many months.

It should be grown quite a bit brighter than your Phals - at your northerly latitude, I don't think you need much shading at all unless it feels hot in that window space in summer. In winter, you'll may even need supplemental light for it.

Thank you, Roberta, for the welcome and for the helpful guidance.

I have moved the plant to a 9cm pot with medium bark. The roots looked quite healthy, so I am hopeful.

Thanks again.

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

As a general rule, it's an easy care dendrobium. It is a bit sensitive to being overly dry though.

:waving Welcome!

I'm also in the UK. I grow my Dendrobiums on West facing windowsills. I don't find I need to shade any of my orchids (incl. Phals, Dens, Catts and Oncids), our Northern hemisphere sun hasn't caused me any issues - yet! Between Sep - March they have 6 hours of supplemental lights daily.