In Soil???

[davetheorchidaddict]

They have always told me that Dendrobiums do not grow in potting soil, infact Dendro is the scientific name for trees, I learned that when I was studing Forestry at Purdue and had to take Dendrology, so they must grow in trees. I was totally shocked when I saw this orchid blooming so beautifully and in checking it out they were growing in soil. The plant was left out year around and only covered when temperature dropped below freezing. See something everyday that conflicts what you always thought.

[patticake]

How bizarre! I tried to grow a dendrobium many years ago, before I knew what I was doing. I remember that I brought it home and potted it up in potting soil. It grew a little- but I never understood it. I suppose if it dried out enough between waterings, it would be o.k- I sure wouldn't recommend it, though.

[lmartiny]

I say Wow!

[norris]

That is interesting. I'm doing an experiment where I have planted Epidendrum cuttings in either an orchid mix, or a very heavy ( lots of California clay) garden soil. Its been about 6 months, the cuttings growing in orchid mix are growing much better, but the ones in soil are still alive and growing

[katrina]

I would bet it's not potting "soil" per se but rather a soiless mix. I've seen a large number of orchids potted in that stuff....not usually Dens... more often phals, oncids and even catts. Personally, I don't think I'd use it for phals, oncids, catts or dens but I do grow my phrags in something very similar.

The soiless mix is a peat based media...no "soil" in it at all. It's lighter and usually has a good amount of perlite in it so it's not as suffocating to an orchid's roots as the regular potting soil.

[davetheorchidaddict]

My very first one I planted in soil, I do not know what happened to it because shortly after that we were stationed in Germany and could not take plants with us, that was our last one we bought until 1990. Katrina, that was my thought too but when I chedked it out and took some out of the pot it was potting soil, the people who have it know nothing about growing orchids. I have a couple of noble and I put one in the back of our house on the ground and did nothing to it, has some beautiful buds and I hope it will bloom. will post pictures when it does.

[englandfx]

That is absolutely absurd!

No epiphytic orchid can ever grow, let alone live in potting soil.
It is just against the laws of nature. It's like saying humans can breathe under water.

My guess is that that plant isn't an orchid whatsover or that isn't a real dendrobium....

No one can alter mother nature! And nothing can change nature's laws!


disclaimer: I do however believe there are exceptions to almost everything....with regards to certain limits.

[davetheorchidaddict]

It is a noble orchid, I have seen it and took these pictures. I have seen many things that are not supose to be possible but they were, nature has a way of playing tricks on us, the very intelligent humans. I said the same thing when I first heard about it and was shocked when I saw it. I have seen beautiful large dandlions growing 90 miles north of the artic circle.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by englandfx

That is absolutely absurd!

No epiphytic orchid can ever grow, let alone live in potting soil.
It is just against the laws of nature. It's like saying humans can breathe under water.

My guess is that that plant isn't an orchid whatsover or that isn't a real dendrobium....

No one can alter mother nature! And nothing can change nature's laws!


disclaimer: I do however believe there are exceptions to almost everything....with regards to certain limits.

I've come across several people growing orchids in standard potting mixes without realising that what they're doing isn't kosher. Ignorance can often achieve results that can otherwise take many years of experience to match. Soft cane Dendrobiums like the one pictured are as tough as old boots in the right environment so I'm not that surprised that this one is thriving in potting mix. They like a good supply of water while growing, which the potting mix probably supplies. If you look at the grass in the mix as well as the flowering rate, that plant is obviously grown outdoors and probably in very good light so the combination of excellent air movement + heat during the day will reduce fungal problems and stop the mix staying too wet for long periods of time (which will also get some air to the roots). If you think about it, epiphytic orchids have been grown in a range of mixes from sphagnum to horse manure to containers of water, none of which are natural epiphytic substrates. So long as the water/air/light is kept in balance orchids can be very adaptable.

[lmartiny]

Aren't Epidendrums terrestrial and thus can grow in the ground? I picked up a cutting of a Radicans at a show a couple of years ago and was told it could grow in the ground. I didn't know it was a Radicans at the time. My friend ID'd it. But I just went and checked the pot and I did put it in dirt. And it is growing. It's been beat up and ignored but now that it is getting better attention the newer growth looks pretty good. I think.

[katrina]

Originally Posted by davetheorchidaddict

. Katrina, that was my thought too but when I chedked it out and took some out of the pot it was potting soil, the people who have it know nothing about growing orchids.

I suppose I shouldn't be all that surprised really...orchids are a tough, tough little buggers. And, yes, as you stated....as long as the correct balance is achieved...they will do just fine.

Lynne -- Not all Epis will thrive terrestrially but yes...some Epis can be found terrestrial. The radicans is what is referred to as a reed stem...these guys...in their natural habitat...can be found along roadsides growing in very poor soil and rocks. They like to dry a good deal between watering so as long as you let it dry out...I'm sure it would do fine in a well drained soil/gravel/maybe adding some sand mix.

[LauraGR]

It sure shows the orchids have a determination to live, and only we can screw that up!! There are plenty of situations in nature where orchids in trees end up with layers of soil and other organic matter covering their roots. It's how they adapted to non-standard conditions in the first place. And no-one can argue with the success of that little plant and its lovely blooms!

[davetheorchidaddict]

Imartiny, I have a radicans that is planted in a pot of potting soil in front of my house and I do not bring it in at all, even when it fell to 19 a couple weeks ago.

[articuno75]

I'm just thinking to myself .....*potting soil* NO WAY !!!

[davetheorchidaddict]

englandfx: When you said it was against the laws of nature, in the 50's aeronautical engineers were studing flying insects to learn more about flight and how the insects. They measured weight, wing surface, shape and many other things when they finished all the calcations they determined that it was impossible for a bumble bee to fly because it was against the laws of nature, the only thing is that the bumble bee does not know that and flys all over the place. Object the laws of nature are not always followed by nature.

[lmartiny]

Wow Dave. 19 is low. Does it still look OK? And what type of sun exposure do you have it in?

[davetheorchidaddict]

Imartiny, I lost some of the plants but still have enough to keep the plant growing, interesting the keikis on dead stems survived the cold so life will go on. I generally put in teh garage when temps drops that low, just forgot to do it this time. They are sitting in front, facing south so they get a lot of direct sun year around.

[lmartiny]

That's too bad you lost part of it. I too forgot a few things and they froze. It is supposed to go back into the 30's again. Dang it.