just a few things...

[Christopherj1986]

I got this dendrobium from lowes, and I am trying to find out a bit more about it. Right now it has two bloom spikes. Each one being a foot to a foot and a half in lenth. the plant is about a foot in height not including the spikes. I would also like to know where my baby is from and anyother info that is known, so i can accomidate her a little better.

thank you for your input and knowlage.

christopher

[BluPeaches]

I can't help you but I just wanted to say that it's a beautiful plant.

[Christopherj1986]

Thank you. She is my first one and I want to make shure that she has the best chance for survival. lol I cant stop looking at her myself.

[jerrymeola]

You have a common Den-Phal (a plant with Dendrobium phalaenopsis in its family tree). You will also see thenm refered to as hard cane Dendrobium. They are breed by the millions for the cut flower trade.

They are extremely easy to grow and as close to indestructible as an orchid can get.

Water it heavily and then not again until it dries out. Give it 1/3 to 1/2 sunlight. Morning sun and afternoon shade works well.

[Christopherj1986]

Hey all, im new to the sight. i have been doing alot of reading prior to getting my first orchid but I still have a fiew questions.

I have had my den. orchid for about three to four weeks now. after getting it home i got to poking arround in the pot and discovered that when it was sold they had packed so much moss stuff arround the poor thing it was crammed in the pot. so i took all the moss out and put in an orchid bark medin. i even saw a little shoot comming out so i left the shoot uncovered so it could grow.

I left the baby (thats the plants name lol) in the care of my b.f. for two weeks while i was at work off shoar. when i returned the baby had lost many of the leaves and had some that where yellowing. all the blooms have opened despite the leaves so i really dont know what to think. and the baby shoot has grown to about three inches tall its really takeing off.

any thoughts about why the leaves are turning?

thanks
christopher

[kmarch]

You have what is commonly called a "phal-type" dendrobium. The "phal" part refers to the Section Phalaenanthe of the genus Dendrobium (not the term phalaenopsis) which contains most of the species used to make these hybrids. Jerry referred to a species by the name of Den phalaenopsis. The correct name of that species is Den bigibbum. It's one of our Australian native dendrobiums.

You can find a culture sheet on phal-type dendrobiums at AOS | Members Only Area Give it a read and let us know if you have any questions.

I suspect the leaf die-off was the result of it being packed in sphag which usually results in the plant being kept far too wet so don't be too hard on your b.f. I dont' think it was his fault. You did well to repot it asap.

Keep us posted on your progress!

[zaeem]

Phal den,because of petals.Need shaded sun.controlled watering and pot should be for a years growth.good sturdy Den.the lips are red they also vary in others in color.health plant.

thanks.
zaeem

[Christopherj1986]

ok good then i guess i made one good choice as far as the replant goes. lol right now the baby is sitting on the coffee table. she is getting indirect sun from a westward faceing slideing glass door. which is covered by a patio on the out side. the baby gets maby two to three hours of direct light in the evening time just before sun down. does this seam to be enought light to you or should she be getting more?

also i want to start fertalizeing weakly weekly. i was recomended a 25-9-9. i looked for that blend (if you know what i mean) and i didnt see it. so what would be another good blend that i could get?

i really do want to thank you all for the great knowlage given to me. as well as you time.
christopher

[11Orchid126]

The formula you mention is extremely high in nitrogen and may be unsuitable. Dens don't like a lot of nitrogen.

I don't know about Texas, but here in NJ the light you have your dens in would be considered being in the dark.

[Brooke]

I agree with 11Orchid126 - sitting several feet from a window is the dark for any orchid, let alone a high light orchid like a Dendrobium. What you see with your eyes, is not the fc's available to the plant. Where I live, 2 feet from an ESE window gives me an fc reading of 600, adequate for a Phal, but not even close for a Den.

If you are feeding 1/4 strength weekly, divide the NPK numbers by four and you will get the dilution you are giving the plant. You can use any balanced fertilizer in this manner but I personally prefer the PK numbers to be lower but I doubt if it matters.

Brooke

[zaeem]

HI!
for den its still dark side.reduce npk numbers,with less sun it will be overfertilization in my view.
zaeem

[patticake]

I'm in upstate NY, USA. I grow most of my Dens in a southern exposure window. A few are right on the sill of an eastern exposure. I think your plant can benefit from more light than you're giving it.

[Christopherj1986]

i would love to give it more light but the apt that i live in has two windows and a slideing glass door all of which face west. if the sun rises and sets from east to west i would think that a window faceing east or west would recieve more light than one that faced north or south. that is also not takeing into consideration the earths wobble lol... but im am def. no expert.

in your opinion what is the best solution to my problem?

christopher

[rcb]

Move it closer to the window. Any window since they all face west. Do it gradually.

Should help.

[11Orchid126]

Eastern have some light, north the least. South windows have the most light, west windows are next. If all you have is a sliding glass door, put the plant on the side that doesn't open, and try to elevate it a bit. A west window would also be suitable. Light is the most important element in orchid culture. Without the right light, nothing else matters.

[Christopherj1986]

ok i will have to give her a lil relocation closer to the window. i thank all of you for your time and quick responses. i will keep you poasted on the babys progress.

thanks again
christopher