After (almost) correcting all the lighting and shelf spacing on my stand, I suddenly had more space for adoptions. i could not help myself. I've shared some photos of the new children and my most recent blooms.
Went to the Lowes near me and for the first time found two Dendrobiums in clearance and not knowing any better – but thinking they looked healthy – I took a chance. I knew nothing about Dendrobium however the markdown was crazy ($8.00 ea, and they came with two glazed orchid pots that were worth that alone.)
When I brought them home, the first thing I noticed is they were planted in potting soil and it was bone dry. Seriously dry. After reading they like chunky bark, I repotted. I soaked bare roots and chunky medium and put them into my quarantine box. One of the plants has a very healthy root system. The other – not so much.
So… questions. Am I dealing with Dendrobium nobile or Dendrobium phalaenopsis? Aren't they supposed to be dormant this time of year? I assume they were forced to bloom out of season to sell. If so, how best to I get back to their proper growing cycle? Our 'winter' (north Georgia) is at best another 6 weeks. We are about to have a cold spell 50 – 60 degrees for 3-4 days give or take. How best to use this? Should I leave them be and let them 'think' it's an extended spring? Do I (wait until dry – probably in 10 days) and water as if it were spring/summer or do I let them dry out completely for the nest six weeks (Expose them to the lower temps?) and make them 'think' winter is coming?
The other orchids came from a local greenhouse. Lucky and cursed to have one close by.
by Background_Ad9279
2 Comments
Wow ! 8 dollars for the plant and the glazed pots ?? That’s amazing !!
I grow a lot of dendrobium phaleonopsis (den-phals) and I can tell you, you just scored yourself amazing plants ! I find them easier to grow than phaleonopsis, they bounce back faster and once they settle in, they’re pretty reliable. Ive literally never had problems with them. (I’m pretty sure they’re den-phals from the tag and the way the canes look)
Den-Phals are warm-growing and basically grow year-round. No winter rest, no six-week dry spell, no making them “think” winter is coming. That’s for other types of Dendrobiums. You’re thinking of the Nobiles or the Australian dendrobium types, they need a cool down / dry period. But dendrobium phaleonopsis types grow year round.
Repotting into chunky bark was a good move. I’d just water when it’s almost dry, not bone dry for weeks. They don’t like staying soggy, but they also don’t love being desert dry.
50–60°F for a few days is totally fine. Just avoid cold + soaking wet roots at the same time. Cool and airy is okay. Cold and saturated is where things go sideways.
For the one with weak roots, basically how these guys work is they flower, after they flower they start pushing out new canes. Those new canes are gonna have the root tips. Since they just finished flowering look for a little nub and that’s gonna be your new cane. just keep it stable. Bright light. Once it starts pushing a new cane, they usually recover well. (I put some sphagnum under the nub so it can get a bit humid.
They also want more light than Phals. Bright indirect, even a little gentle sun is fine. If the leaves are medium green instead of super dark, you’re probably in the right range.
You’ll have fun with them! They are all over Asia. They slap em on trees everywhere in south east / South Asia. They take all the crazy weather, heat, rains, and they just keep thriving. Lmk if you need any help with anything else !
Also beautiful blooms coming in on the rest of your plants !
I’m dealing with a similar situation. I believe it’s a dendrobium, but I bought it at Lowe’s and it’s in potting soil (WTH Lowe’s?)
It’s in bloom so I’m hesitant to repot it just yet