Help with my dendrobium.

[psyc1210]

I have a D. Thong Chai Gold, and I am a little confused at things that I've been reading. I keep reading about "soft cane" and "hard cane"....and also nobile Dends. How do i know if mine is a nobile, and how do I know if it's a soft or hard cane?

I've been taking care of it as my care sheet has said. I've had it since July, when it was purchased as a gift for me from Lowe's...when I received it, it had a bad fungal infection that broke out, which I had to tear off leaves, and all the unopened buds blasted. It is currently growing two new canes, and I had to recently repot it, since it was in just sphagnum moss and rotting away.

Any advice would be great. Thanks

[kmarch]

psyc,

I dont' care for the terms "hard cane" and "soft cane" because i dont' find them to be very helpful. I much prefer categories like "nobile-type," "phal-type," and "antelope-type." i think they're more usefule categories when it comes to culture.

Having said all that, your Dendrobium Thong Chai Gold is a phal-type dendrobium. Phal-type dendrobiums are so called because they use the species Dendrobium phalaenopsis in their breeding. Don't confuse Den. phalaenopsis or phal-type dendrobiums with Phalaenopsis orchids (Moth Orchids, also called Phals for short). They're completely different orchids.

Phal-type orchids are commonly grown in the home and so are well suited for those who don't have greenhouses. The American Orchid Society has a dendrobium culture sheet that is written for phal-types. Download it ang give it a read and if you have questons let us know.

Happy Growing!