D.Thongchai Gold 'Toon"

[zquilts]

Hi:
I was given this beautiful orchid as a gift - and,if I could have had an orchid made specifically for me, this would be "it" because of the colors. I have to confess to not having much luck in the past with orchids - but want this one to thrive. If anyone can give me some suggestions I would be most grateful. Light? Temps? How much water? Thanks so very much!

[kmarch]

zquilts,

What kind of Dendrobium is it? There are many types some with different cultural needs.

[articuno75]

Kevin I believe Thong Chai Gold is a Phal type. I have a hybrid with this as one of the parents. (Thong Chai Gold x Minnie)

[jerrymeola]

Den.Thongchai Gold 'Toon' is a Den-Phal type. zquilts as a new hobbyist you will see terms like Den-Phal. When you do not recognise the term do not be embarrassed to ask. I am a professional nursery and I still do not recognise all the terms used.

Den-Phal indicates a type of Dendrobium that has Dendrobium phalaenopsis in its parentage. The important part is that all Den-Phals take the same type of care. Especially with Dendrobiums the care can vary greatly on the type. Den-Phals are the most common type of Dendrobium.

They like medium to high (for Orchids) light levels. In numbers that is 2000-4000 foot candles. July noon sun with no shade is about 10,000 foot candles, so outdoors you want shade from the afternoon sun. Morning sun is much less intense so some morning sun and afternoon shade is perfect. Most homes are under 1000 foot candles so you would want this near a window if it is inside.

Too much sun causes the heat to build in the leaves and at some point it can kill the chlorophyll in the leaf. We call this sun burn. This causes a brown area that will never recover. It seldom will kill a plant unless you really let it go too long, but it does not look good. You can tell by feeling the leaves if they are getting too hot. Burn happens very fast and when seen means it is time to move the plant to a little more shade.

Dendrobiums are very forgiving on water conditions, but they do not like to have their roots soaking wet. Good drainage is important. When you water soak the roots by dipping in a pot of water or run water over the pot. Give it a lot of water as you water and then let it drain well. It can dry out completely between waterings and will accept being dry for as much as a week ot two. In general, (and there is no really general situation) you would water every 7-10 days indoors and outside as needed even as much as every day in Florida in the hot summer.

Fertililzer for orchids needs to be a weak solution. Orchids do not need much fertilizer. Any balanced fertilizer, i.e., the numbers are the same (20-20-20 or 13-13-13) will work the brand is not important and the 'orchids fertilizers are the same as all other fertilizers except the instructions recommend a lower amount. Use one tsp or less disolved in a gallon of water.

[solay]

Zquilts, do you have a picture of you orchid. I am interested to see an orchid especially made. Sounds delightful!

[zquilts]

Hi - thank you all for such helpful feedback. I have to admit to mourning the loss of orchids in the past - and I think I simply over watered them! I really want to learn to care for them though since I really WOULD like to get some more. I have work at work that someone gave to me - no name onit. It had more of a grassy (like fennel) bulb and grassier leave.

Anyway - I hope I have managed to upload a photo of this little golden gem I have. For those of us who swoon for green gold colors - this is the one !!

Again, thanks so much for your help!

[norris]

Hi zquilts, and welcome That is a really pretty flower, I can see why you want to keep that plant healthy!

[zquilts]

I love it - now if I can just keep my watering can away from it - I might be fine. Benign neglect?!

[solay]

It's very pretty indeed. I'm a sucker for green too. I grow a lot of Cymbidiums and I'm always on the look out for green flowers. I have the same problem with over watering so I've been mounting a lot of orchids to prevent that. Good Luck!

[zquilts]

UhOh! Another term I don't know about!
How are orchids mounted and how does that prevent over watering?
Is it when they are mounted on a wall made of screening and moss??