What Dendrobium Orchid are You Growing?

There is another type of orchids my mom grows in her garden, and this time it is white and it blossomed completely just today. My mom calls it Dendrobiums (pronounced den-dro-bee-urn). She says this one is specie that grows best in the kind of climate we have—more than half of the year with sunlight. I took her word for it, but I dug deeper (as usual).

I have come across several species of Dendrobium. There are ones that originated from the South East Asia, stretching from Northern India to islands off the East coast like New Guinea and Australia like Polynesia. The climate in these areas is always hot at sea level and is without any seasonal variation. If that is so, our white Dendrobiums might have been gotten from these species.

But I have also come across a different set of Dendrobiums. These species originated from the south of the Tropic of Capricorn and the north of the Tropic of Cancer. These areas have access to greater range of climate, including colder and drier winters and warm wet summers. To grow the Dendrobiums at their best, the area where they originated should then be known.

Dendrobium, the second largest orchid genus

To date, more than a thousand species of Dendrobium are known but there are still a lot more that are in the process of discovery basically in the highlands of New Guinea. This makes them the second to Bulbophyllum, the largest orchid genus in the world.

Both the shape and form of Dendrobium stems and leaves come in different size, style,a and color. What makes them all alike is the flowers’ pattern however varied their range of size, from tiny to huge. Every Dendrobium has the base of its sepals fused to the column and the lip base’ foot, thereby forming a mentum or 'chin' that generally houses its nectar.

Scientists have used three cultural headings to categorize Dendrobium. They are the Nobile (pronounced no-bill-ay) type or Himalayan plants, New Guinea plants, and Australian plants, here are some of the characteristics that make each of these plants distinct:

The Nobile or Himalayan Dendrobiums

Dendrobiums originating from Himalayas are the easiest to grow, but they are also the most difficult to bloom on a regular basis. Once they bloom, their flowers are remarkable in colors that range from white to purple and pink. The lip is also spectacular with its often beautifully marked contrasting colors, making the entire flower a magnificent specimen to watch.

There also those that are in colors brown and yellow, but lately, Yamamoto hybrids are getting a lot of attention for their rainbow colors.

So far, these species are grown to their best in warm with bright, cold but dry winters. But to ensure that you are growing them at their best, take note of their culture:

November to February

Daytime temperatures can drop to 40° - 45°. During these months, they should be provided with plenty of light and air movement but not water or feed.

March to May or June

These months are warmer and moister in conditions. These are the times when Dendrobium buds develop and then new growths tend to appear. Sparingly watering the orchids until the new shoots have grown their good roots is best.

June to November

These months are warm and very wet, which is associated with Monsoon. Low strength, high nitrogen feed should be administered in the months of April and May. When maximum growth is being see, feed weekly. In November, feed the orchids with high potassium.

Tip: To get flowers from Himalayan Dendrobiums, you need to dry and cool them during the winter. Dendrobiums from Himalayas’ lower altitudes need less harsh winter but still dry.

The New Guinea Dendrobiums

Growing New Guinea Dendrobiums is a bit of a challenge, but there are a few species that can be grown with ease. Among these are the Dendrobium oberrans in cool climatic conditions, D. lawesii or D. antennatum in intermediate climatic conditions, and D. atroviolaceorn or D. bigibbum in warm climatic conditions, and thus, they are best for those who have just begun enjoying planting orchids for a hobby or business. Save the more challenging ones for later.

Two of the most outstanding species known from this area, although they are also found in Australia, are D. bigibbum (D. phalaenopsis) and D. Canaliculatum. The former can often be located growing on rocks, while the latter on the paperbark tree trunks.

The climate in the area varies with altitude. The mountainous areas offer cool, wet misty nights and mornings followed by warmer bright days. The exquisite cool and intermediate miniatures like D. cuthbertsonii grow in these places. They should never be left to dry and without dilute fertilizer. The river valleys between the mountain ranges of the area are warmer and wetter. These places house the most exotic D. lasianthera of the Sepik River basin and many Latouria types with longlasting flowers. They all need generous feeding and watering all year long. The southern plains are wetter and very warm all year through. There is also seasonal rainfall variation with a wetter summer and drier winter in the area.

Australian Dendrobiums

Australian Dendrobium Kingianum and relatives are the easiest to grow from this area. They grow their pseudobulbs or canes at any length, from 5cm. to 30cm. Tall, and they are thin, spindly and tough. They have 2 to 4 leaves atop each cane that are narrowly oval. They bloom in loose sprays at the tops of old and new canes during late winters and early springs. There will be two to ten flowers in shades of purple or pink on each spray, each measuring 1- 3 cm. across. The can also grow taller and bloom with yellow, cream or white flowers.

The Austrian Dendrobiums are so easy to grow that they often regrow on their own. Potting is therefore necessary to get new plantlets or keikis moved from their parents. Just make sure that this is done after the plantlings developed their roots completely. You can also choose to leave them where they are and allow them to blossom together with their parents. For their culture give intermediate temperatures and drier conditions than other Dendrobiums. Spray once a week and water generously in the spring and autumn with dilute feed. A few cold weeks in winter (down to 45°F), will encourage flowering.

Potting

Dendrobiums can be replanted in small pots where their roots can be confined. You can find different potting beds for this in the market, but youo can also make yoour own out of bark, perlag and charcoal mixture. This trio makes an easy drain for your orchids.

When the potting bed becomes soggy or full of roots, which it will be soon, simply repot. Some of these orchids may also be grown on treefern on a mossy bed or slabs of bark, which should be misted daily all year round.