RIP Dendrobium cuthbertsonii

[dipasquo]

Sadly, more than a year and a half after bringing it home, my Den. cuthbertsonii has gone on to the orchid afterlife. It's my first fatality in over a year.

I was warned by the growers that this was a very hard one, but my wife was enamored by the huge bright flowers on such a tiny body (who am I kidding, I was too). Is there anyone out there that has better luck growing this plant?

Photo attached, in memoriam.

[articuno75]

Wow is it (or was) pretty.
Sorry bout your loss.

[jay]

I think, not sure, but that one needs very high humidity. I may be confusing it with another, but I remember reading that somewhere. If I remember correctly the blooms can last 6 months or longer, but it is supposed to be a more difficult one to grow.

[arleneg]

Sorry to hear about your first loss. I have a Den. laevifolium, which is similar to the cuthbersonii. I, too, heard that cuthbersonii is a bit difficult to grow. So I bought the laevifolium. My blooms lasted about 4 months! The last bloom fell off a few weeks ago. Several days ago, I noticed a bud forming! Check it out.

IOSPE PHOTOS

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by jay

I think, not sure, but that one needs very high humidity.

Too much heat is also a common reason for failure.

[Christina]

Sorry to hear. Everything will be ok. Things happen for a reason

[Leisurely]

Simply awsome Arleneg. I was stupid enough to try to grow one in Florida. That didn't work. Too dry inside and too hot out outside.

[solay]

Those are both pretty blooms. Sorry it didn't make it. maybe next time you'll have better luck with it. I guess that's the risk we call take when we buy orchids that are finicky for our area. it sure was a beauty though.

[dipasquo]

In a follow up conversation with the grower he said that Den. cuthbertsonii will happily bloom themselves to death; that it's easy to get lured in to enjoying the flowers for up to 6 months but that he recommended cutting them after 2 or 3 months to ensure a plant that is healthy enough to regrow. Well, lesson for next time.

The Den. laevifolium is very lovely, too!