Phal. dendrobium vs nobile den

[Sharyn]

Do I understand the two types of denbrobiums correctly? A phal. type dendrobium has the flower stem coming out of the top leaves. The nobile den. gets flowers along the leafless stems. If I got this correct, is there any difference in the daily care of each type? It appears that I have both types.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

No difference during the growing season, you don't need to let either type dry out between waterings. Both should be grown moderately warm. Come winter both should be kept on the dry side while not growing or blooming. But nobiles need a cool down and may need a more strenuous drying off. Starting when the last leaves open, no new little leaves coming out the top of any of their growths, sort of Decemberish, they need to be left dry for about a month at a time. Some say water on all the major hollidays, with a choice of Xmas or new years, not both. Then you can start watering again around april, or when you have all buds well developed, or when new growth starts. I always hate it when people give instructions relative to the bloom cycle, which is a catch 22, since plants that are not being given the right culture don't bloom!

[Sharyn]

Thanks for the clarification. I'll try to follow your guidelines and hope I don't kill them in the process! I'm still learning and it truly is a trial and error process for me. I'm thankful there are so many of you out there with your experience and knowledge to help the rest of us in the land of "Growing Orchids for Dummies." P.S. I saw the pictures of your orchids and they're beautiful. I also loved the fact that I could view a full picture of the plants. Now I know that some of my strange looking orchids are actually normal. Thanks again for your help.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

The large pictures are a legacy from the fact that we Sigmites (those with a Sigma/Foveon SLR digital camera) always want to show off our clean pixels. Almost no other camera owner posts full sized pictures.

[jerrymeola]

There are a few additional differences in Den-Phals and Nobile (not all Dens flowering on stems are Den-Phal - crossed with Den Phalaenopsis - but can be lumped together for most)

Nobile take much higher light levels even more than Vanda 8-10,000 is good for them (2500-4000) for other den types.

They can live in a range of 32 to 200 degree temperatures.

You must not fertilize after August or they do not flower. Never use slow release fertilizers on Nibbles or again the produce Keikis and no flowers.

And i do not let mine dry out although many references say to let them dry in the winter.

They only bloom once in the winter-spring while other dens can flower year round.

A clarification. There are many, many different types of dens. However, they seem to fall into two classifications of culture and care: monsoonal and non monsoonal. The den-phal types (non monsoonal) which need to be kept warm and moist then dry out during the winter and the den-nobile (monsoonal) types which need to be cold and dry all winter. And the den-nobiles do not necessarily bloom on leafless canes. Some canes stay evergreen for a while. Mine is blooming now on a heavily leafed cane, and it will probably lose those leaves next fall or winter. They do, however, bloom on old canes. Dens do not like a lot of nitrogen.