How to Care for a Dendrobium Orchid
- Light. Dendrobium orchids certainly don’t want to be kept in the dark, but they also can’t stand being left in direct sunlight.
- Temperature. These orchids can do quite well in a wide range of climates. ...
- Humidity. ...
- Watering. ...
- Potting Mix. ...
- Pot. ...
- Repotting. ...
- Blooms. ...
- Fertilizer. ...
Where should I place my dendrobium orchid?
This doesn’t mean sticking them in the desert sunlight, but a south-facing window in the house is the place where they will thrive. In almost all cases, when your Dendrobium orchid isn’t flowering, it’s a case of not enough sunlight.
How long do Dendrobium orchids last?
Image by chipmunk_1. Some of the most popular orchid plants among home growers are Dendrobium orchid plants. These showy flowers are relatively easy to grow, with a central long stem and an attractive spray of flowers that can last up to four weeks. There are many Dendrobium varieties, and each one has slightly different growing conditions.
What does a Dendrobium look like after flowering?
After flowering, dendrobiums do not look very decorative. A bare peduncle protrudes from the top of the pseudobulb of the phalaenopsis dendrobium. In Dendrobium Nobile, the pseudobulb stem remains covered with short spent arrows, and the stem itself may begin to dry out and shed leaves.
Should I stake my Dendrobium nobile orchids?
Dendrobium nobile orchids are very top heavy, and should be staked to ensure the canes grow as you wish them to and to reduce the risk of the pot toppling, which is likely, if the canes of your plant are growing at an angle, away from the centre of the pot.
What do you do with Dendrobium orchids after they bloom?
Cut the flower stem just above the top leaf of the pseudobulb when the Dendrobium has finished flowering. You should care for the plant the same after flowering as during flowering. There is no need to repot.
How do you take care of a Dendrobium orchid indoors?
Mist regularly and feed every third watering during the growing season. In winter, move your Dendrobium nobile orchid to a cool, bright position with a temperature between 10-13°C (50-55°F), and water only if the stems start to wither. They need as much direct light as possible in winter, to allow the stems to ripen.
How do you keep Dendrobium blooming?
Improper temperatures can also cause orchids to be shy about blooming. These plants also need regular feeding during their active growing season. Getting dendrobium orchids to rebloom usually depends on giving them a rest period with lower temperatures—three to four weeks at 55 degrees Fahrenheit—and less water.
How do I get my Dendrobium orchid to bloom again?
To rebloom this orchid, you need to keep the watering cycle year-round, only lessening slightly—if at all—during winter. Some orchid growers have found that reducing watering 2x a year is beneficial to the reblooming cycle.
How often should I water my Dendrobium orchid?
Dendrobiums like to be in small pots and are usually much taller than the pot is wide. Because they are usually large plants in relatively small pots, watering twice a week is about average. They like to be almost dry before re-watering. When watering, place the plant in the sink and use tepid water.
How long do Dendrobium orchids live?
between 10 to 15 yearsLike other orchids, Dendrobium orchids can survive indoors for between 10 to 15 years with good care. To care for this popular group of orchids, keep them in a space with temperatures between 68-85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the night.
What time of year do dendrobiums bloom?
Large mature plants can continue to produce bloom spikes and stay in bloom nearly all year round.
Why do Dendrobium leaves turn yellow?
If your roots have rotted from being too wet or dessicated from being too dry, the leaves will turn yellow. Fungal, bacterial, or viral attacks can turn leaves yellow. Sunburn will turn the leaves yellow in blotches.
Do dendrobiums bloom on old canes?
Dendrobium orchids can produce flowers from old canes, even leafless canes. Some orchids bloom repeatedly from the same cane year after year.
How do you water a Dendrobium orchid?
Dendrobium orchids can store water and are more tolerant of dry soil than overly wet soil. Water them every 1-2 weeks. Allow the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the soil to dry before re-watering. Some species of dendrobium orchids have water-storing pseudobulbs, meaning they can go 2 weeks between waterings.
Why is my Dendrobium not blooming?
Inadequate light is the number one reason orchids refuse to bloom or rebloom. 1 Dendrobium, cattleya, and cymbidium orchids are three popular varieties that like bright conditions, but not direct sun. If your orchid never leaves the dim confines of the house or office, you may need a grow light to achieve flowers.
Should orchids be cut back after flowering?
While the orchid is still blooming, cut back the flowers that are fading. Removing the orchid blooms that have finished will not only keep your plant looking neat but will increase its vitality. Make a clean, even cut directly back to the main branch. Keep this up while the plant is blooming.
Why does Dendrobium leaves turn yellow?
If your roots have rotted from being too wet or dessicated from being too dry, the leaves will turn yellow. Fungal, bacterial, or viral attacks can turn leaves yellow. Sunburn will turn the leaves yellow in blotches.
Can you grow dendrobiums indoors?
Humidity: Moderate to high, preferably 50-70% relative humidity. A big part of Dendrobium orchid care is keeping up the moisture in the air around it, especially in winter. Use a humidity tray or room humidifier. Grouping plants also helps to maintain the humidity around them.
How do you water a Dendrobium orchid?
Water weekly and let the top layer of soil dry between waterings. Dendrobium orchids can store water and are more tolerant of dry soil than overly wet soil. Water them every 1-2 weeks. Allow the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the soil to dry before re-watering.
How often do Dendrobium orchid bloom?
They are very easy to grow, many bloom twice a year, and their flowers often last for months. Some varieties are mature plants at 3 inches tall while others are over 3 feet tall. Large mature plants can continue to produce bloom spikes and stay in bloom nearly all year round.
How many species of Dendrobium orchid are there?
Dendrobium Orchid: Beginner’s Care Guide. Dendrobium is a large genus of orchid that contains over 1800 species. This means there’s a huge variety of different types, each with their own slightly different care requirements. However, if you just picked one up at the store, it’s most likely a Phalaenopsis hybrid.
What is the root of Dendrobium?
Another key feature of this genus is its roots. The roots of Dendrobium orchids tend to creep over the rocks and trees that they’re planted around. Most other orchids just sit around the soil. This behavior lends it the name Dendrobium, which comes from the Greek word for tree, dendron.
Why do orchids grow in crowded spaces?
Crowding your orchid with a range of other plants can result in a smaller, sickly plant. This is because orchids prefer more open spaces with good air circulation. Leave a couple of feet between your plants. This can help prevent the growth of fungus, which will thrive in more crowded and concealed spaces.
Why do orchids drown?
This is because orchids generally don’t need a tremendous amount of water to thrive.
How to make orchids grow faster?
To make one of these, take a shallow dish and fill it with pebbles. Add some water and stand your orchid’s pot on top, making sure the bottom of the pot is not touching the water.
What temperature do orchids need?
However, the ideal temperature for them is 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 55 to 60 degrees at night.
What is the ideal range for Dendrobium?
Dendrobiums enjoy relatively humid environments, similar to the tropical forests from which they originate. The ideal range is about 50 to 70 percent.
How long do orchids bloom?
The long-lasting sprays of flowers remain in bloom for roughly six to eight weeks, and they can make excellent cut flowers. In optimal conditions, your plant might bloom multiple times per year. If blooming seems suboptimal, try providing your orchid with more light. The Spruce / Letícia Almeida.
How to divide orchids?
If your plant has at least four canes bearing healthy leaves, you can divide it. Use a large stiff knife to cut through the rhizome and root mass, attempting to keep the root mass as intact as possible . Remove all the growing medium from the root mass, and then cut away any long dangling or dead roots. Put the plant in a pot close to the size of its root mass, and cover the roots with orchid potting medium. Press down the potting medium firmly, and wait one week to water it thoroughly.
What kind of soil do orchids need?
Soil. Orchids don't grow in typical potting soil but rather in a special mixture that mimics their environment in the wild. Use a commercial orchid potting medium, which generally contains peat moss, perlite, or fir bark. Or make your own using those ingredients.
What temperature do orchids like?
Dendrobium orchids like warm climates and prefer a temperature above 60 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. They might be able to withstand slightly cooler nighttime temperatures down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but prolonged exposure to cold isn't ideal.
What is Dendrobium epiphytum?
Dendrobiums are primarily epiphytes, meaning they grow on other plants. In nature, they're often found growing on tree branches. While the species vary in appearance, all of them are known for their profuse blooms that come in a variety of pastel tones.
What does it mean when a keiki plant is yellow?
The appearance of keikis can mean the plant isn't getting enough light. On the other hand, if you see yellow leaves, you might have given the plant too much direct sunlight. 1 .
Where do Dendrobiums grow?
Native to southeast Asia, these plants grow in all manner of climates—from hot, wet lowlands to high-altitude, cool mountains. Dendrobiums are primarily epiphytes, meaning they grow on other plants. In nature, they're often found growing on tree branches.
When will dendrobiums bloom in 2021?
January 9, 2021. 0. Blooming dendrobiums look very impressive. However, this genus of orchids has a pronounced change in development phases, and they need a break between flowering. The material below will tell you how to dendrobium orchid care after flowering and recover faded dendrobiums so that they accumulate enough strength for subsequent ...
What is the NPK ratio of an orchid?
Complete complex with NPK ratio of 6: 6: 10 , supplemented with chelated trace elements, amino acids, vitamins and succinic acid. Ideal for feeding after the orchid has finished blooming.
How does topdressing help orchids?
Topdressing during this period allows the orchid to receive the necessary elements to build new tissues without depleting its own reserves.
What is the first question that flower growers have to solve in this situation?
The first question that flower growers have to solve in this situation is pruning. After flowering, dendrobiums do not look very decorative. A bare peduncle protrudes from the top of the pseudobulb of the phalaenopsis dendrobium.
What happens if pseudobulbs are old?
If the pseudobulbs are old and begin to dry out and “go bald”, they are given the opportunity to completely give up the accumulated nutrients to young growing organs.
Can you transplant dendrobiums after flowering?
Dendrobiums, like other orchids, are never transplanted during flowering, but after flowering it can be done. “I transplant my dendrobiums very rarely and only immediately after flowering.
Can you cut off a Dendrobium phalaenopsis?
Dendrobium phalaenopsis. Peduncles that have dropped flowers are not customary to cut off in this type of orchid. Within a few days, the plant will dry them on its own, and there is no need to injure the tissues once again. Pseudobulb stems are also usually not pruned.
What Temperature Do Dendrobium Orchids Need?
However, to get the best out of your plant and encourage it to rebloom year after year, you should provide quite specific temperature conditions in the autumn.
How long do Dendrobium Nobile orchids last?
Their profuse, beautiful, delicately scented flowers produce a wonderful display for up to several months at a time. This article is going to walk you through how to care for dendrobium nobile orchids. First, a quick summary.
How many blooms does Dendrobium Nobile have?
A single dendrobium nobile cane can have 25-50 blooms and a plant with several canes blooming will produce a spectacular display. The flowers have a light, sweet scent, which is pleasant, but not overpowering. Buds normally develop in December and January, with blooming from January to March in the northern hemisphere.
How much humidity does Dendrobium nobile need?
Dendrobium nobile orchids are less sensitive to humidity conditions than many other species, but 50-70% humidity is ideal. With higher humidity levels, the need to ensure adequate ventilation increases, to reduce the risk of disease.
Why are my orchid leaves turning brown?
Drying Out. As mentioned previously, insufficient watering can cause dry, brown and crunchy leaves, but it will also cause leaf wilting and drying and shrivelling of the canes. Dendrobium nobile orchids can generally tolerate more water and are less susceptible to root rot than phalaenopsis orchids.
How to increase humidity in orchids?
If you need to increase humidity levels for your dendrobium nobile orchids, consider a humidity tray, or grouping plants together. If needed, monitor the humidity level of your growing environment with a hygrometer. I use a simple digital thermometer/hygrometer for my indoor plants to ensure I am providing the best conditions.
What is the most common pest on Dendrobium nobile orchids?
Scale is the most common pest found on dendrobium nobile orchids, but they can also be affected by mites, mealybugs, thrips, whitefly, fungus gnats. For more information on how to identify and treat pests on dendrobium nobile orchids, see the AOS website, which has a wonderful resource.
How Long do Dendrobium Orchids Last?
Orchids need light to grow and bloom. If taken care of correctly, the flowering will last for at least three months.
What temperature do orchids like?
Orchids prefer temperatures between 55º to 80º F (12.78º C – 26.68º C). They don’t like sudden temperature changes and temperatures higher than 90 degrees (32.22º C) can cost them their precious buds and worse, they will stop blooming altogether.
Should You Cut Off Old Dendrobium Orchid Stems or Canes?
Most people think the canes are actually stemmed, and they just cut it off to keep the beauty of the flower. But if you know orchids by now, you should know these flowers are special, so the canes are special too.
Why do orchids have canes?
Fortunately, Dendrobium Orchids have canes for them to store nutrients so they have a boost for the new growth.
Why are my orchids not growing?
Having Enough Sun. Many people failed to grow is simply because the place they try to grow just doesn’t have enough sun that is required for most of your orchids. If you are going a failure topsis or you’re growing a Vanda, or a cataleya, they’ll require quite a bit of sunlight.
Do you cut Dendrobium canes off?
They are not just flowering stems and you should never cut Dendrobium cane unless they die away.
Is there fertilizer for Dendrobium orchids?
A lot of people get the whole fertilizer thing mixed up when it comes to Dendrobium orchids. There is an orchid specific fertilizer when it comes to Dendrobium. These plants are not picky with their fertilizer. Therefore, your average all-purpose fertilizer is going to work great.
How long do Dendrobium orchids last?
These showy flowers are relatively easy to grow, with a central long stem and an attractive spray of flowers that can last up to four weeks.
What is Dendrobium orchid?
About Dendrobium Orchid Plants. Dendrobium is sort of the catch-all of orchid species. When you look for Dendrobium orchid info, you can find whole books devoted to each of the different types of Dendrobium orchids that can fall into this category. In general, though, you can separate them in a few different groups.
How many blooms does a Nobile orchid have?
These hybrids go dormant for a couple of months in the winter, losing some of their leaves in the process. These plants can have up to 50 blooms on one stem, making for a stunning floral display. Growers have perfected the Nobile hybrids so closely that they can even cause them to bloom for any requested holiday. If you’re looking for an orchid with lots of helpful information available about it, this is the one to choose.
Where do I cut my Dendrobium after it blooms?
Wondering where to cut your Dendrobium orchid spike after it flowers? You are not alone! We get lots of questions about Dendrobium spikes. Dendrobiums are very diverse anatomically and I suspect many folks simply aren't sure where the spike ends and the stem begins. So I am going to show you two common types of Dendrobium and where to cut their spikes. It's pretty simple.
Where does the Dendrobium flower spike?
The Dendrobium pictured above is ready to have its spike removed. Notice that the flower spike originates near the apex of the stem just above the last leaf. The spike itself has no leaves or bracts.
How many spikes does Dendrobium nobile have?
Notice that the Dendrobium nobile flowers are not carried on a single tall spike. Instead they are produced on short spikes of two to four flowers that appear at each node along the stem. It's easier to see the short spikes after the flowers have fallen (below).
How tall are Dendrobium phalaenopsis?
They have erect stems ranging from one to two and a half feet tall. Their leaves are carried on the upper half of the stem.
Can you remove old stems from a plant?
Old stems will not flower a second time, but DON'T remove them, at least not yet. Your plant needs them. A strong plant consists of minimum of three mature stems. The best time to remove surplus stems--typically the oldest stems that are leafless and yellowing--is when you are repotting.
Is Dendrobium nobile a hybrid?
Dendrobium nobile and its hybrids are a bit trickier to grow than their cousins, the Dendrobium phalaenopsis hybrids--but they are SO worth it! Check here for How to Grow Dendrobium nobile.
How to get rid of scale bugs on orchids?
Scale insects can be found on the leaf surfaces (above and below) and flower stalks, while mealybugs prefer new leaves. It’s easy to remove pests by hand, using a soapy sponge to clean the leaves. Alternatively, spray with an insecticide.
How to cut off moth orchids?
With moth orchids, once all the flowers have fallen, cut off the stem just above a visible joint (node). This may stimulate the production of another flower stem, which you should clip to a support. If no shoot appears and original stem turns straw-coloured, then remove it at the base. Most other orchids won’t flower twice on the same stem, so cut off spent stems immediately.
What are some examples of orchids that can be grown as house plants?
These include Dendrobium orchids, Paphiopedilum orchids, Oncidium orchids, Vanda orchids and Cambria hybrid orchids. These are all easy to grow in most homes, producing dramatic displays of exotic blooms.
What is the most common orchid in the UK?
Moth orchids ( Phalaenopsis) are the most common type of orchid grown in the UK. Flowering over a long period, they’re available in an increasingly wide range of flower colours. The popularity of moth orchids has led to other types of orchids becoming more readily available to grow as houseplants.
Do orchids need direct sunlight?
Most orchids require bright light but indirect sunlight. However some orchids, such as Vanda orchids, require full sun – always check the label before buying orchids. For moth orchids and others that need bright but indirect light, an east- or west-facing windowsill is perfect. Too much light can scorch the leaves. If your orchid gets scorched, don’t detach the damaged leaves unless the plant has several additional healthy leaves.
Do orchids need to be re-potted?
Unlike most other pot plants, orchids don’t need regular re-potting and often thrive when root-bound. However, after two or three years it’s worth taking them out of their pots and removing as much of the compost as possible. Replant in the same pot with fresh orchid compost or choose a slightly larger pot if the plant won’t fit.
Natural Habitat
- Plant your Dendrobium orchid in a small pot. Dendrobium orchids do not produce extensive root systems so they thrive in smaller spaces. Choose a pot that extends no more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) beyond your plant's root mass. Do not plant this flower in a large planter or directly in the ground as it prefers the security of a tighter space.[1] X Trustworthy Source Missouri Bot…
- Use a soilless potting medium. The dendrobium orchid does not thrive or grow in ordinary soi…
How to Care For A Dendrobium Orchid
Care Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
- This flexibility makes the Dendrobium easy to care for. However, there are still a few points you should bear in mind. Let’s cover these in a bit more detail.