Denrobium Thrysiflorum

[Lucinda Brown]

I purchased a denrobium thrysiflorum quite awhile back that was still in it's resting period. I was instructed by the seller to let it rest until around maybe as late as April or until it sent out a spike or new growth. All of which I did but it hasn't sent out new growth or a spike. I began watering more regularly and fertilizing a little after April 15, trying to see if that would 'boost it' out of retirement. It hasn't changed and I found new info on it that said it should have been watered during resting period enough that the canes don't shrivel. The canes were shriveled when I received it. What can I do?

[jerrymeola]

Dendrobium thyrsiflorum is a cool growing species dendrobium.

I find in general that species dens are more finicky, which is why hybrids are developed, but worth the effort.

None of my species dens are growing yet. I do not know why but they always seem to be late. My hybrids only started growing last month even though the temperature had been in the 80s in March. I do poorly with cool growing dens so be careful to keep them from the Oklahoma heat.

I do not think the total lack of water will hurt the plant. If the lack of water did not kill it already, it is probably fine. It may take a little longer to initiate growing from its hard hibernation, but this is the kind of abuse that often results in stunning flowers.

[Lucinda Brown]

Thanks again, Mr. Meola.The denrobium thrysiflorum never received total lack of water, though, unless the person I purchased it from had done that. It has many healthy looking roots and I only put it outside some this spring during cooler temps. I watered just enough to keep it alive as instructed when I received it, then started watering and fertilizing more in late April when I tired of waiting and was trying to 'boost' it out of hibernation. I have now moved it along with my other deny's close to a new high pressure sodium light I got from ebay. There is an airconditioner closeby and a sunroom roof window overhead. I have a new lightmeter coming soon so I'll soon know if they are finally receiving enough light. I'll let you know what happens,THANKS!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I would go easy on the watering and skip the fertilizer for now. If there are clearly growing roots, then I would be more likely to treat it as a growing plant, but with no activity anywhere, I would keep it on the dry side; let it dry out very well between waterings. My thrysiflorum went into the cold frame (to 38F) over winter with very high light and long spells between watering. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ