Dendrobium Orchids

amazon purchase 10 15 2024 3 live Dendrobiums orchids. Purchased on Amazon Angle’s Orchids which is Etsy store Machiela Dendrobium generally prefers 6-8 hours of good filtered light.  Stop feeding in September to introduce your Dendrobium into its winter rest Bloom every 4-6 months. One stem may bloom more than one time. Bright filtered light. Water: 3 times a week. Water thoroughly each time.  Drought resistance. Can be repotted any time of the year.  Grows tall.

Dendrobium King of Monkay.

Two Dendrobiums orchids received Oct 21 2024 King on left Red on right

Orchid King Nov 1 2024

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Dendrobiums orchids Venus received 10 21 2024

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red Nov 1 2024

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Some Dendrobiums are evergreen, some are deciduous, and some are a mixture of the two. The types of Dendrobiums found in most stores are evergreen Phalaenopsis-type hybrids.

Where should I put my orchid? Most Dendrobiums are epiphytes (meaning they grow on the branches and trunks of other plants) that like a lot of indirect light and temperatures from about 58-75° F.

Dendrobiums should be placed on an east facing windowsill, or a slightly shaded southern one, in a bark mixture. The pot that is used should only be slightly bigger than the plant’s root ball.

What about humidity?  Wild Dendrobiums thrive in humid conditions found in cloud forests, monsoon environments, and tropical islands. If you live in a very dry environment, place this orchid near a small humidifier or atop a tray filled with pebbles and water.

How much water should I give it?
Since Dendrobiums are often large plants in small pots, they should be watered relatively frequently, sometimes as much as twice a week. Your plant should be almost dry before watering, though. Seasonally, water Dendrobiums less in the fall and winter, and gradually more as temperatures rise in the spring and summer.

My orchid has finished blooming – now what?
Dendrobiums have tall pseudobulbs which remain year after year, and provide the plant with energy even when it is not blooming. They are frequently called canes, and do not get cut. The thin stems which come out of these canes can get cut after the flowers finish blooming. After another growth season, the Dendrobium will bloom again.

Light
Select your brightest window—preferably a south-facing window—for the orchid to bloom well. The appearance of many tiny offshoot plants (known as keikis, pronounced “kay-keys”) on relatively young, small canes indicates that the plant isn’t getting enough light.

Soil
Purchase a special orchid growing mixture when potting or repotting that mimics their environment in the wild. Make sure the medium has aeration and is well-draining, so the roots aren’t left in too much moisture for a lengthy period.

Water
Watering is most crucial during the growing season and you should use distilled water or rainwater to prevent minerals and salts from building up in the pot. Simply stick your finger in the medium to determine when you should water.

If it feels wet, wait to water until it has dried out slightly. During the winter months, space the watering out more without letting the medium dry out entirely. Overwatering leads to root rot and ultimately causes the plant to yellow or wilt.

Temperature and Humidity
Keep dendrobium orchids warm with daytime temperatures between 70°F and 85°F, with a nighttime drop of about 10°F.

Many types require a winter rest period where the plant is kept at about 55°F for several weeks to prompt reblooming.

Dendrobiums prefer a humidity level between 50 and 70% (with a minimum of 45%). Brown leaf tips usually indicate that the air is too dry for your orchid.1

Fertilizer
Feed the orchid regularly during the growing season with a balanced orchid fertilizer, following label instructions. At the end of the growing season, reduce fertilizer by about half.

Types of Dendrobium Orchids
The numerous species in the Dendrobium genus are divided into several sections and subsections based on both their floral and vegetative characteristics. They either flower in summer, drop their leaves in the winter, and require a cool, drier winter rest period; or they are fully deciduous and should not be watered at all in winter.

Dendrobium phalaenopsis and their hybrids (also known as phalaenopsis-type dendrobium hybrids or, short den-phals) are some of the most common dendrobiums offered for sale. These evergreen orchids usually bloom in the fall, with a spring rebloom possible if the plant is given a three- to four-week rest period at lower temperatures and drier conditions.
Dendrobium spatulata are commonly known as antelope orchids because their unusual, twisted petals are spirally twisted like antelope horns. The orchids bloom several times a year and do not require the winter rest period to rebloom. These orchids are identified by their spiral, twisted, and curly-edged floral segments and asymmetrical flowers.
Callista orchids are a section comprising about 10 of the most desirable D. species. They have bright colors and canes with dense blooms. Species include D. aggregatum, D. farmeri, and D. thyrsiflorum. They need warm conditions in summer but reduced temperatures and drier conditions in winter.
Latouria orchids are a section of about 50 species with large yellow, white, or green flowers. The blooms have black or purple markings on the inside surface of the petals. Species include D. atroviolaceum, D. macrophyllum, and D. spectabile.
Formosae orchids have fine black hair covering the canes. This section comprises about 30 species, including D. bellatulum, D. draconis, and D. sanderae. The plants require cool to moderate conditions year-round: 50- to 60°F nights and days that are no more than 85°F.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Mealybugs are the most common pest for dendrobium orchids, often hiding in the junction where leaves meet the canes. A good treatment is to spray with a homemade concoction consisting of equal parts water and rubbing alcohol, with a few drops of dish soap added. Large infestations may require spraying with a commercial pesticide formulated for houseplants.

Diseases are not common with dendrobiums, but excessive watering may cause root rot, which will ultimately cause the plant to yellow or wilt.

Petal blight, a fungal disease, sometimes causes spotting on the flower petals. Affected blossoms should be removed.

How to Get Dendrobium Orchids to Bloom
For most types of dendrobium orchids, the long-lasting sprays of flowers remain in bloom for roughly six to eight weeks, and they make excellent cut flowers.

Spring and summer are the most common bloom seasons, though in optimal conditions, some types might bloom multiple times per year.

If blooming seems suboptimal, try providing your orchid with more light. Improper temperatures also cause orchids to be shy about blooming. These plants also need regular feeding during their active growing season.

Reblooming
Getting dendrobium orchids to rebloom usually depends on giving them a rest period with lower temperatures—three to four weeks at 55°F —and less water.  This is not true of all species.

For example, the Dendrobium spatulata does not require a winter rest period to bloom and orchids in the Formosae group may need only a shorter winter rest period than others needing longer respites.

Common Problems With Dendrobium Orchids
Dendrobiums are regarded as one of the easier orchids to grow, but you may run across these issues:

Yellow or Spotted Leaves
Yellow leaves are usually caused by too much water or too much direct sunlight. However, the leaves of some deciduous species develop spots and turn yellow just before they are shed for the winter so the yellowing is part of the natural life cycle.

Burned and Brown Leaves
Browned edges on leaves are typically caused by too much fertilizer or by growing medium that has become saturated with salts and minerals from tap water. Most likely, though, is sun scald caused by too much exposure to direct sunlight.

If these plants are kept in south- or west-facing windows, it is a good idea to use a sheer white curtain during the summer months to diffuse the sunlight. Dendrobium orchids will tolerate partial shade and some direct sun, but bright indirect light is better.

Low humidity can also cause leaves to dry up and turn brown.

FAQ
Where is the best place to put a dendrobium orchid?
Most dendrobium orchids prefer a spot next to a south-facing window or under a grow light. Temperatures should remain between 70°F and 85°F, with a nighttime drop of about 10 degrees.

How many times a year do dendrobium orchids bloom?
A Dendrobium phalaenopsis purchased from a nursery usually blooms in the fall, with a spring rebloom possible if the plant is given a three- to four-week winter rest period. Some species only bloom once per year.

Do dendrobium orchids smell?
According to Toine Overgaag of Westerlay Orchids, Dendrobium phalaenopsis generally has no scent but Dendrobium nobile often has a mild fragrance. Dendrobium anosmum is quite fragrant and the scents move from raspberry to strawberry to rhubarb and finally hyacinth. The orchid tends to be more fragrant on sunny rather than shady days and the fragrance lingers longer in areas of high humidity.