Dendroblum Elma White Care

[scullysiz]

Hi! I am new to the forum and orchid care. I recently received a Dendroblum Elma White plant as a gift at my work. What is the best way to water and care for the plant in an office environment? I have access to very indirect sunlight. It is currently planted in a pot and sitting in a decorative pot. I was told to water it from the bottom by setting in a tray. Is this correct? I also had questions on how to keep the plant blooming?

Thanks so much!

[jerrymeola]

Dendrobium Elma White is a den-Phal type of dendrobium, the most common type. It is capable of blooming any time of the year.

In an office environment it will grow well but may be a little short of the light levels it needs to flower again.

Remove the plant from the decorative pot to water it. The easiest way is to just run water over the top. If the medium in which it is planted is in good condition you will see most of the water flow out the bottom of the pot. After it drains return it to the decorative pot.

Fertilize it 'weakly, weekly' a balanced fertilizer solution such as 20-20-20 made weak by dissolving a teaspoon of fertilizer in a gallon of water and use this to water the plant weekly.

You need to determine how fat the plant dries out. You will probably be watering twice a week in an office but it can vary a lot in different offices.

Dendrobiums are very forgiving and easy to grow for a beginner.

Dendrobiums will take as much light as you can give them without burning. Some early morning sun and then bright, indirect light the rest of the day would be ideal.

[scullysiz]

Thank you for the advice and encouragement. I do have the plant up on a shelf where hopefully it will get more light. I have about 20 blooms on it right now! It is so beautiful and such a refreshing sight in our cubicle environment. If I can keep this plant going, maybe I'll try another, who knows? Thanks again--