Den. won't bloom!

[solay]

Hi everyone,
I purchased a Den. Kobai orchid plant about 4 years ago when I first starting growing Cyms. The lady who sold it to me said it would do fine outdoors with my Cyms. It has grown from a 4" pot to several larger pots and keeps growing Keikis that I have planted into smaller pots. I've even given away several of the keikis that have grown into 4"-6"pots themselves. All these years and it has yet to bloom once. the ironic thing is I gave 2 plants to a co-worker and it bloomed this spring for him. He however kept it indoors. So now I've moved mine indoor too hoping I have better luck.

Is a Den. Kobai an orchid to keep in or out? Does it prefer warmer temps? Should I put them in my greenhouse once I get it up and going?

My other question that I need help with is the greenhouse itself. Does anyone have experience putting on up and how to set it up properly? I purchased a 8'X8' easy grow from Costco and expect it to be delivered in a couple of weeks. Any help is much appreciated.

[jay]

There are a lot of Dendrobium growers on this forum. Unfortunately I am not one that can help you.

Some reasons that orchids do not flower but still continue to grow would be:
Not enough light (probably not your problem if you are growing outside)
Not old enough (again, probably not yours)

Not enough of a winter - Some Dendrobiums need a cooler and drier winter to initiate blooming in the spring.

I am sure that someone will come along that knows your type of Den and can give proper advice.

[solay]

Thanks for your reply Jay. Actually I was thinking it might be lighting since I had them under a tree. Now I'm keeping them indoor by a west facing sliding door to give them more light and warmth.

[janet_a]

personally, i think it's cussedness. i have one antelope type that took me YEARS to rebloom; now it grows/blooms like crazy. (no change in conditions.) i have a phal type that bloomed a couple times, sulked for a year, and is now blooming for the 2d time in about 6 months. (again, no change in conditions.) both plants are indoors in a western exposure. (and then i was given a nobile keiki in july; it bloomed in december.) go figure.

[exasperatus2002]

I have a noid Dendrobium. It along with a few other orchids I have wouldnt bloom for me for 4 yrs until I moved and had a southern exposure. They just needed more light.

[Don1]

I have many Dens. growing in my greenhouses. They need lots of light. Some need humidity also. I suspect that light is the issue with yours since the plant is growing well otherwise.

On your questions about the greenhouse, I have built 2. One from a kit similar to the one that you purchased and the other built from scratch. Siting is very important. I ran both of my greenhouses east to west. Since I am on the Nothern Hemisphere, they will receive maximum benefit from the sun if built along this axis. Second, know what you want in the greenhouse before setting it up. Do you want water---if so, where will it come from. Do you want electricity---if so, where is it coming from and how much do you need. Drainage is another major issue in all greenhouses. Are you making drains or will the water just drain into the soil. If the later, plan to add sand and gravel to help drain away the water.

It really is wonderful when it is all done and you can see what your work has accomplished!

[solay]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've been reading up on several sites and looking for accessories. I just don't understand how the thermometers/automatic heating cooling systems get assembled. Pretty confusing really. Especially deciding what to buy. I guess it will be trial and error like everything else.

[jerrymeola]

I think your problem is much simpler. The fact that you are getting many keiki indicates too high a Nitrogen level.

It is unlikely that your den is one that requires special treatment as the name you listed is not a registered name.

I would stop all fertilizer for six months and see what happens.

[solay]

Hummm... I will try that with a couple of them and see. Thanks

[11Orchid126]

As Jerry says, dendrobiums do not like a lot of nitrogen. They also like very tight pots. I made the mistake of moving mine to a bigger pot as it grew. I finally left it alone, put it outside in the sun, stopped fertilizing it completely in August and held back on the water during the fall and winter, and it finally bloomed.

[argus]

Originally Posted by 11Orchid126

As Jerry says, dendrobiums do not like a lot of nitrogen. They also like very tight pots. I made the mistake of moving mine to a bigger pot as it grew. I finally left it alone, put it outside in the sun, stopped fertilizing it completely in August and held back on the water during the fall and winter, and it finally bloomed.

Without a photo, its hard to tell what type of a den it is. I suspect it is a nobile type hybrid if you were told to grow it with your cyms. and if it is growing keikis off the stems. I would follow the advice above. Give it v. bright light during the year, then reduce night temperatures to about 50s if the fall for several weeks to initiate the blooming cycle. Keep it cooler and drier throughout winter(greenhouse should help in providing sufficient humidity, wile less water at roots). Also, use a blossom booster orchid fertilizer(low N) only, during the growing season.

[solay]

I only took one picture of it when it bloomed the first and only time. I tried looking the name up on the web and all I got was another lady who just had a picture of hers. Couldn't find any info. I've seen some Dens. in the SBOE site that looks similar but the names are different.

I will try all suggestions this year and cross my fingers.

I have about 5 in 1 gallon size pots. Should I repot into smaller ones? The rest of the Keikis are mostly in 2" or 4" pots.

[berkeleysgr8]

Since we're both in Northern California, I'm wondering if part of the problem was due to not having a dry rest period in the winter? Starting in October I stop watering and fertilizing my Nobile Dends... then give just enough plain water to keep the canes from shriveling up. Maybe they're getting too wet in the winter? Since you have several pots, you can certainly do some experimenting to see what works!

Pssst... Jerry is great... heeding his advice is always wise!

[solay]

Yes we definitely have wet winters and they never dry out. I guess I didn't help either cause I water them religiously. For some odd reason as soon as I water, it rains. As soon as anything comes up looking not like a keiki, I'll make sure I post a picture. Thanks to all.

[solay]

Here is a update after exactly a month on the Den. Kobai that never blooms and only made keikis. Since I repotted them into smaller 4" pots, put them all indoors, fertilize less and watered only when almost dry, they have started new growths like crazy. I can't believe it. Now I'm looking for blooms!

Check out the pictures of just one pot. The new growth are light green without the dark coloring dead tissue. There's about 5 or 6 new growths on it. I have about 8 of theses 4" pots and they all have new growths from the bottom this time!!! They must like the changes. Thanks Orchid Geeks!!!

[Orchidementia]

That's terrific! I love dens, and that one of yours is a really nice one. Can't wait to see them all bloom!

I followed Geek advice for my nobile and it too is growing like crazy!

[patticake]

They look great, Solay! Geeks rock! I can't take any credit, since Dens and I are still trying to figure each other out!
Whatever you're doing, they seem to like it!

[brookn]

Hi, I just read this, and good growing Solay!!! I have to add that I do not believe that this is a Nobile-type Dend. Solay sent me one of her keikis (and it is growing like crazy), and it looks very similar to my D. kingianum only it is much taller. I wonder if this is a species Dend., cause it just looks so familiar, and the 'Kobai' is a cultivar. I hope I said that right. Kevin???????? What do you think?

[solay]

No, it's not a Nobile cause it doesn't lose leaves. I agree it's more like the D. kingianum and I've been looking around for info. but can't find any. Only saw a picture on flicker from someone who had one too.

Bookn I'm glad the keiki is doing well too. I'm still getting a keiki here and there but more new growth now than keikis. What an improvement!

[Orchidementia]

??? I have a nobile ... I just meant I took advice I got here for a specific kind of den I have and it worked out, not that we have the same kind of den!

Good growing!

[solay]

I know what you meant Orchidmentia. Sorry about that. LOL!!! I guess was trying to agree with Brookn although I don't think you or anyone had suggested it was a Nobile to begin with. Hee! Hee! Hee! We are so confusing.