Dend. jenkensii

[Anisa]

OK, poor thing is now declared officially dead. I had it for about a year and i didn't get any new leaves and colony was dying one bulb at a time. I tried to mount it, but then as i saw that it didn't have enough moisture, i potted it in spagh. moss. Tried to keep it in shade and then in sun. No help
I like this specie so much i am going to try again. and i need some input: tips and suggestions - sun/shade? moist/dry? temperature? How do you grow your jenkensii?
Thanks!

[koshki]

I have an jenkensii/aggregatum/lindleyi that is mounted. I grow it under lights (T-5s), fairly close to the bulbs, and it is doing great. I water it daily. It's not blooming size yet, but it has grown three new bulbs and several roots, so I think it's happy. The fellow who gave it to me says he grows his outdoors in the summer in full sun. I'm not sure I've got a place where it will get enough sun outside, so I'm thinking of keeping it indoors this summer. It's reasonably warm under the lights, but I don't do anything special heat-wise for it.

[rcb]

Just want to point out jenkinsii is not aggregatum, it is it's own species.

I had a couple compots of these, and they basically require very similar care to the aggregatum - good light all year round, good watering in summer, drier rest in winter. I grow my bigger ones mounted, without any padding, it gets watered daily in summer, and rarely in winter. But mine is still young and has not bloomed yet. My ones that are mounted have all started new growth this season.

[koshki]

Renee, I was given an "aggregatum". I looked it up in Jay's Internet Orchid photos, and he listed the aggregatum as either a jenkensii or lindleyi. I'm not really sure which one I have, and won't until it blooms. I think I remember reading on this forum that it's one of those orchids that were originally lumped into one, but later minds decided they are two different species, thus creating a perpetual confusion!

However, I do think their care is similar. Anisa, I hope this is helpful rather than more confusing!

[rcb]

Katherine, It's really quite easy to tell them apart. their flowering habits are different, but it is easy to tell them apart when not in flower. jenkinsii is a very definite mini, aggregatum is not. Yes, jenkinsii used to be considered a variety of aggregatum, but achieved it's own species status in 1839 so it is not a recent change

Jay's site is a wonderful site, but it is not always taxonomically correct. The Kew monocot checklist is the correct one for correct species names. And also contains synonyms. Once you figure out how to use the site, it is really really easy to use.

Here's the link for jenkinsii World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

But yes, as you pointed out, their care is very similar, if not exactly the same.

[koshki]

Yep, I'm confused. I don't know what I have.

[rcb]

Katherine, on yours, are the p'bulbs really really small, like an inch or two? Then it would be jenkinsii, assuming your plant is not a very young seedling. If you have p'bulbs bigger than that, it's probably aggregatum.

Anisa - sorry for the topic change. But I wish you luck with your next try with this one. It is definitely a great little species.

I'm going to think that as you had it potted in spaghnum moss, possibly keeping it too wet, and the combo with low light, might have been what caused it not to thrive.

I would suggest when you try again, although it likes lots of water in summer, let it dry out thoroughly between waterings, and give it very good light - at least Cattleya level light. good luck!

[Anisa]

Thank you Renee and Katherine. It was probably not enough light and too much moisture for the little guy, like Renee said. After your suggestions i am rethinking my "strategy". I will keep the new one mounted it this time and outside - the brightest place. Wouldn't south sun be too much?
I still have left the old, deceased one, (Yes, i still have its little cold body). It doesn't have any leaves left and only have about 3 bulbs, still pretty green but shriveled a lot. If i mount it and keep in the sun and water alot. Will it come back?

[rcb]

Anisa - starting out in south sun may be a little too much, it really depends on where you live, and the heat from the southern sun as well. To start, I would give it, if possible, a couple hours of early morning light, and as it starts to grow, maybe increase the amount of light you give it to morning sun till about noon, again, if you've got a spot like that in your yard. Personally, I think this one does best mounted, again if you can water just about everyday in the summer - so good plan there.

If the 'old' one still has green p'bulbs, then it is not dead yet, and still has a chance. As long as it grows a new p'bulb, with new roots before the current p'bulbs die off, then yes, it has a good chance to continue on.

[Anisa]

Thanks Renee. Is there a way to speed up a growth of new roots/bulbs? What i could do is to put a rooting power on the roots and place plant in spagh. moss. Place in east sun and keep it moist. I think i have done it before for this little one (without giving bright light though) but it didn't help. Is there something I am missing?

[rcb]

Anisa, I don't think a rooting powder would hurt, but I don't remember seeing existing p'bulbs growing new roots, the new roots usually come with a new growth. But that doesn't mean that they can't. The best thing for you, is we are going into the spring/summer growth spurt that these do. So your best chance right now is patience - yes we all hate to hear that lol

So basically signaling to the plant that it is time to start growing - light and watering and warmth will do it. But again, watch your watering until it really starts to grow. Keeping is moist now, without growth is not going to help it.

Btw, some of mine have started new growth, and some have not yet - but they will.

[Anisa]

Originally Posted by rcb

I don't think a rooting powder would hurt, but I don't remember seeing existing p'bulbs growing new roots, the new roots usually come with a new growth. But that doesn't mean that they can't.

Good point, i never seen either. I will try warmth/moisture/light/spring. I really really hope the old plant will come to growing. I hate giving up on orchids like i did on this one. I am still learning. Thank you for encouragement, Renee

[koshki]

For what it's worth, I had new root growth before any new bulbs emerged. It's difficult to tell exactly where they came from.

[Anisa]

One way or another i want to see it grow something, except for fungus
I pulled the old one out of the pot. It barely have any roots, but i guess what is left still counts.. i hope

[JungleMel]

I have a cork bark mounted jenkinsii that was given to me because it never bloomed. I took the first advice I recieved which was basically ignore it and keep it cooler in winter, then water it often and give it more light in the summer. It worked and it bloomed the first year I had it.

What I did exactly was put it almost up against a window (SW) all winter and watered it maybe 2 times total in 4 months. Then as the weather turned around I started to water/fert. more frequently until 2-3 times a week, fert. one of those waterings and moved it into a very stongly lit area. It grew like crazy last summer and bloomed fairly well. The previous owner didn't give it that significant of a winter summer change, other than that our conditions are similar. My fingers are crossed that it works again this year.

[Anisa]

Originally Posted by JungleMel

more frequently until 2-3 times a week, fert. one of those waterings and moved it into a very stongly lit area. It grew like crazy last summer and bloomed fairly well.

I am looking for the strongest lit spot in my house and deck. I only moved to this place at the end of last year and still trying to figuring out the best places for orchids. What seemed to be perfect place in dec - feb doesn't get any sun now!! Seems like deck is getting a good sun, my concern would be that jenkensii would dry out too fast being in strong sun/wind.

You guys make it sound like growing dend. jenkensii is a piece of cake. It is encouraging but makes me feel bad that i killed or almost killed the plant.