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Nearly all Dendrobium orchids are
epiphytes, meaning in their natural habitat they grow on trees. A few
are lithophytes, meaning they naturally grow on rocks. Both
epiphytes and lithophytes use their roots more as a means
of anchoring themselves.
A suitable orchid for the beginner, Dendrobium nobile generally does well in the home, requiring plenty
of warmth and humidity during their rather short growing season, and a cool, dry rest afterwards. During the
winter it is essential to budding that the temperature not be allowed to rise too high, keeping compost on the dryer side.
To get them ready to flower, growers consider 45°-50°F to be ideal temperatures during winter. Early in the
year, you will notice buds starting to swell at the nodes, along the cane; if the temperatures during the winter were
too high, the buds will open up to produce not flowers, but little plantlets.
As spring approaches, and the weather begins to warm up, encourage growth to develop as rapidly as possible
by moving the plant to a warmer location in the house. Water carefully at first, letting the compost dry out
between waterings. This does not mean that you should give your orchid a little bit of water at a time. When you
water, do so thoroughly, until water runs out the drain holes in the bottom of the pot; then let the compost dry
out almost completely before watering again. With more growth, slowly increase watering. Give your orchid
plenty of light to encourage a healthy, firm new cane.
Water regularly through summer until growth is complete in the fall. This is signaled by a small single leaf at
the end of the cane. At this time, reduce watering, then stop watering altogether by winter. The cycle begins
again with the orchid looking forward to a cool rest again.
Generally grown in a compost of pine bark, Dendrobiums require regular fertilizer and should be fed at least
twice a month in summer and while they are in the growing mode. They require a nitrogen rich fertilizer of the
30-10-10 type, diluted to half of the recommended strength. During the rest period, just after flowering _ do not
fertilize at all again, until new growth shows.
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Specific cultural requirements:
a Strong, bright natural light during active growth period. (shelter from intense sun)
a Water abundantly during growth period, particularly in summer.
a Compost must dry out almost completely between waterings.
a Good air circulation/ventilation
a Optimum humidity is 60-70% during active growth.
a Fertilize regularly with 30-10-10, diluted to half the manufacturer's recommended strength.
a Use pine bark when repotting, using as small a pot as possible.
a The ideal time to repot a Dendrobium is in spring, a couple of
weeks after you notice the roots beginning to grow again.
Repotting must not be done during the rest period.
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