Dendrobium Orchid Species and Hybrids
Dendrobium Orchid Care
The Dendrobium orchid species are epiphytes, and one of
the largest orchid species.
Common names include Den, Spray Orchid, and
Lei Orchid.
There are approximately 1,200 individual species, and they
grow a variety of climates, from warm, damp lowlands to high-altitude,
cold climate mountains.
Flowers can last anywhere from one day to several weeks, depending on
the species.
Flower
Arching
Sprays of flowers in yellow, white, red, and pink, many with

contrasting throats, adorn this flower. Some are fragrant. Most bloom
in spring. To encourage a flower spike, slightly drop the water and
nighttime temperature.
After the first flower bud opens, the
sprays will stay in bloom over next 2 months. If the plant is kept in a
bright warm spot, the plant may produce additional sprays of dendrobium
flowers.
Don't cut it off canes that loose all of their leaves.
Orchid flowers might still bloom from old canes. Dendrobium orchid
blooms can last up to six weeks.
Dendrobium Orchid Care
Tips
Lighting Requirements
Bright Year Round
Temperature Requirements
In
winter, cool (60° F / 16° C nights and days in the 75° F / 24° C
range); in summer, intermediate (60° F / 16° C nights and days in the
75 – 80° F / 24° - 27° C range)
Humidity Requirements
Fifty
to sixty percent humidity is ideal for dendrobium orchids. This can be
provided by placing the orchid pot on a tray of gravel filled with a
small amount of water or by placing a humidifier in the room or
greenhouse.
Fertilizer
Feed
dendrobiums during the active growing period. Feed every week at one
quarter to one half of the recommended dilution. At the end of the
growing season, reduce fertilizer by 1/2 to help encourage a better
bloom.
Tip: To
prevent and remove excess salts from potting soil, thoroughly flush
with clear water every month.
Water
Allow
soil to become almost dry between watering. Dendrobium orchids store
water in their cane-like stems, and some species have pseudobulbs.
Water dendrobiums approximately once or twice a week. During the
summer, the plants may need to be watered every 4-5 days.
Soil
Orchid Bark Mix
Propagation
Propagate
from aerial cuttings taken from mature orchids. Cut off the tip, below
where you see several aerial roots emerging. Pot the cutting.
Repotting
- Cover
a flat work space with butcher paper or newspaper. To loosen the
orchid, tap the pot gently or slide a knife between the soil and the
pot.
- Tilt the orchid pot sideways and gently remove the plant
from the pot and lay it on the work surface.
- Remove as much of the potting mix from the orchid roots as
possible.
- Spit
the orchid plant into two separate pieces by carefully pulling apart
the plant by the roots, avoiding splitting the stems of the plant. This
promotes new growth.
- Fill two separate
flower pots 1/3 of the way full with tree bark. Place each orchid half
into each pot. Pour more tree bark around the root system of
the
orchids. The bark should reach the base of the orchid stems.
- Water the dendrobiums at their roots until the bark is
moist to the touch.
Longetivity
Dendrobium orchids can last many years.
Selection
D.
loddigessi are fragrant and produce peach colored flowers. Wonder
Nishii (atroviolaceum X alexandrae ) has sugar scented yellow flowers
marked with deep maroon. It blooms several times a year on old and
new canes.
Uses and Display Tips
Tall, staked varieties can be displayed on a sunny windowsill. Dwarf
varieties can be displayed in hanging baskets.
Other Types of Orhcids