dendrobium question

[Matt]

I see that there is another thread about dendrobiums in here, but I will post my own thread. I got a seeding Dendrobium Spectabile. It's longest cane is about 4 and 1/2 inches, I think, though it has a number of canes. It is potted in a very small plastic thingie. Should I transplant it into a 5" diameter pot?

[Matt]

Its in a 3" by 3" pot, with a depth of 3 and 1/2". The longest cane is 4".

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

A rule of thunb, especially with Dendrobiums, is to pot small. That 3" pot is more than big enough. Orchids assist in the drying out of the pot by their up take of water. A 5" pot would be beyond the ability of this plant to have much effect on the drying process, and you would run the risk of rotting the roots. I would repot this plant when it grows over the side of the pot, and only into a slightly larger pot. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

[Matt]

Thanks again for the very helpful advice.

[victor]

Hi Matt
I agree with cynthia. that is good advice and it can be used in most growing conditions.
victor

[jerrymeola]

A lot more for you about Den spectabile


It is a georgeous plant.

I have 50 seedlings a bit bigger than yours and one 24 inch high that is in a 4 inch pot. I stil have not had a viabile bud on the large plant so I asked the supplier from whom I bought the seedlings about it.

It grows in low light levels as low as Phals. I have also grown them in high light and they seem to adapt well. The bad news was that he did not think I would get anything more then a couple of so so flowers until the plant was 30-36 inches tall.

They also take a lot of water and a reduction of fertilizer before blooming.

I have seen specimums in flower at about 24-30 inches but these were flowered in Hawaii where the temperatures are more even year round and more temperate than here.

You have some years to wait but the wait will be worth it.

[Tommyr]

In general if there's room enough for another cane to grow leave it alone. They like it tight.

Tom

[Mercedesladie]

Hi everyone,

I had a Dendrobium "Maui Big Boy" and it died. It wasn't very healthy when I got it but thought I would give it a try. Does anyone know where I could get another one?

Thanks,
Mercedesladie

[kmarch]

Matt, Dendrobium spectabile is a species and so the "S" in spectabile should nto be capitalized. The second name is capitalized only with hybrids. Also, Mercedesladie, with hybrid names like your Den Maui Big Boy, the name should not be put in quotation marks.

[mbasden]

Do these plants require a dry period during the winter?

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by mbasden

Do these plants require a dry period during the winter?

Which plant spectable or Maui Big Boy? Dendrobiums are all over the map regarding dry rest periods and no one rule fits all of them.

[sandra]

The Dend. spectabile is probably my favorite of all Dends but I've been forewarned by nurseries that blooming can be difficult to attain with them, that they're very tempermental. As small a pot as you can get them into is what works best for Dends. The hardest part is keeping them from toppling over which takes some creativity.

[Brooke]

No mbasdan - they want to be kept evenly moist year round. In this hemisphere, the watering is reduced in the winter because of cooler temps and heavier watering in the summer, but they don't go weeks/months without water.

Airy, quick draining mix is appropriate.

Brooke