Questions from Thailand

Hi Orchidgeeks!

I am living in northern Thailand for a year - the place is absolutely covered in orchids I have never grown orchids before though.

Anyway I bought a couple in the market. I have no idea what species they are, only that one has yellow flowers, the other purple and white. They are both growing on pieces of tree bark. They are probably not rare as the pair cost about £3 ($5).

I just wondered how I should care for them. I am guessing that as they are from tropical forests that they dont mind shade so I have hung them up in my porch area outside but in shade. Is this ok?

It is the rainy season here so there is plenty of moisture in the air. Do I still need to water them in any way? What about food?

Many thanks,
Steve

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

We need a picture. I use to import native Thai species, and the list of available plants was as long as a role of toilet paper. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

ok, here are some pictures - i hope they are ok. I bought a new one today so that makes 3.

cheers,
s

[jerrymeola]

Your first two are cattleyas hybrids and the third is a species dendrobiuim. They are quite impressive in size and quality. They would cost easily $25-35 each at a US orchid show and 50% more from many dealers on line.

Care for mounted orchids is easy. You can not really overwater mounted orchids. I would water whenever the roots are solid grey white. They all can go long periods without water so you can water from once a week to every day as you wish.

The plants will probably get all they need to live from the air in your envirnment but using a balanaced fertilizer once a week will grow the plant faster and bloom more often.

The dendrobium will do better if ignored during the winter. As a species plant it is used to the hibernation period. Too much water and food can prevent flowering on these dens.

I would be happy to put anyone of the three in my personal collection.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

The Dendrobium in the third picture looks like lindlyi.

Jerry, take a better look at the plant in the second picture. Looks like a Dendrobium to me. I think we need a better picture of the flower on that one.

The first on is a Cattleya hybrid and is deffinitely not a Thai plant. Cattleyas come from South America and Central America. Cyntiha, Prescott, AZ

Thankyou very much.

I have attached a close up of the flower of the second orchid so you can take a better look. (it is a little blurry, my camera is not so great at close range)

What do you mean by balanced fertilizer? Just a generic type of plant food that you would use for indoor plants etc? Or seaweed, nitrogen or something like that?

I did the usual 'buy new plant when it is in bloom' routine. How often should these bloom once this set of flowers are finished?

S

[Ellen]

Looks like a dendrobium to me.

[jerrymeola]

The new picture is clearer. It is a nobile dendrobium.

What I meant by balanced fertilizer is one were all three elements are about the same represented by the ratio numbers on the package. 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 are common ones in the US. Use it weakly about 1 teaspoon per gallon of water once a week.

High nitrogen fertilizers are usually 30-10-10 and so called bloom boost are about 18-35-15. I would avoid both of these on mounted orchids.

Your nobile dedrobium will not flower well with high nitorgren fertilizer. It is better to stop fertilizing all together after september and resume after it flowers. Most nobiles bloom once a year in late winter or early spring. The species den probably blooms in early summer.

Your cattleya hybrid looks like Otarra Hwa Yuan Bay 'She Shu'. If it is it blooms twice a year possible three times in Thailand weather.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Actually, the 2nd plant looks like it is an anosmun, or one of the other Dens with a very close looking flower. If the lip is a little fuzzy, it is not D. nobile, but D. anosmum(+). Look up (google) D. anosmum for pictures. Cynthia

very nice !

[jkanj]

hi I live in northern thailand as well and I think that you guys are very informative could you explain to me about the difference in hanging orchid plants and the mounted ones? could coz i just inherited several hanging orchids that are currently in basket like containers that looks too small for them all the roots are sticking out, what should i do?

[norris]

Hi Jkanj, and welcome If you post some pics of your plants we can help you better.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by jkanj

hi I live in northern thailand as well and I think that you guys are very informative could you explain to me about the difference in hanging orchid plants and the mounted ones? could coz i just inherited several hanging orchids that are currently in basket like containers that looks too small for them all the roots are sticking out, what should i do?

It depends on what kind of orchid it is. Some orchids like Vandas prefer small containers with their roots hanging out. If you can post a picture of your orchids we can tell you what will be good for them.

[digitalgate]

the third is Dendrobium aggregatum.After it finish it bloom, give it plenty of water and
sunlight.(NO direct sunlight) for 6 months Then give it winter rest 20C minimium for 3
months. OR you can put it at a local nursery where they will grow for you at a real cheap price. Make sure you also buy from them. Buy plenty of Vanda!

[berkeleysgr8]

Wow! I'm jealous that such gorgeous orchids are so cheap. I MUST visit Thailand (even if I can't bring the flowers home with me)!