Dendrobium Care
These are one of the most widely cultivated plants in the orchid family, but because of their diversity, our information here will be very general.
LIGHTING Bright lighting is a necessary for these plants to bloom. A south or west facing window that receives at least three to four hours of light a day is preferred.
TEMPERATURE Keep your plants warm, as temperatures below 55 degrees will cause certain varieties to drop their leaves. They will do well with night temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees and day temperatures of 80 to 100 degrees. High temperatures will require good air movement and extra humidity.
WATERING These plants need moisture when they are young and vigorously growing, but once the pseudobulbs have matured, dry them out thoroughly between waterings.
FERTILIZER: We recommend fertilizing every other watering with a balanced water soluable fertilizer. Time released fertilizers can also be used. Supplements such as Superthrive and MagAmp have shown to be beneficial.
MEDIA: Dendrobiums have good root systems and an open orchid mix is desirable. We recommend a blend of 3 parts Fir bark to 1 part perlite. The size of the media is dependant on the size of the pot. Small pots = small media, Medium pots = medium media, large pots = large media.
REPOTTING: It is good practice to repot every two years. Do not overpot, give them just enough room for two years growth.
DISEASE: Proper watering practices and good air movement are the best preventative measures to minimize disease. We use Physan20 and similar products for fungal control. Small infestations of insects like scale, mealy bugs and spider mites can be controlled with insecticidal soaps or light horticultural oils like Pure Neem Oil. Larger infestations require pesticides sucha as Avid EC, Othene, or Malathion. Be sure to read and follow all label directions. Spraying should be done after watering and during the cooler part of the day. Slug and snail problems can be controlled with baits containing metaldehyde. Use these with caution around children or pets.
Check with other growers or your local orchid society for specific growing care in your area.
LIGHTING Bright lighting is a necessary for these plants to bloom. A south or west facing window that receives at least three to four hours of light a day is preferred.
TEMPERATURE Keep your plants warm, as temperatures below 55 degrees will cause certain varieties to drop their leaves. They will do well with night temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees and day temperatures of 80 to 100 degrees. High temperatures will require good air movement and extra humidity.
WATERING These plants need moisture when they are young and vigorously growing, but once the pseudobulbs have matured, dry them out thoroughly between waterings.
FERTILIZER: We recommend fertilizing every other watering with a balanced water soluable fertilizer. Time released fertilizers can also be used. Supplements such as Superthrive and MagAmp have shown to be beneficial.
MEDIA: Dendrobiums have good root systems and an open orchid mix is desirable. We recommend a blend of 3 parts Fir bark to 1 part perlite. The size of the media is dependant on the size of the pot. Small pots = small media, Medium pots = medium media, large pots = large media.
REPOTTING: It is good practice to repot every two years. Do not overpot, give them just enough room for two years growth.
DISEASE: Proper watering practices and good air movement are the best preventative measures to minimize disease. We use Physan20 and similar products for fungal control. Small infestations of insects like scale, mealy bugs and spider mites can be controlled with insecticidal soaps or light horticultural oils like Pure Neem Oil. Larger infestations require pesticides sucha as Avid EC, Othene, or Malathion. Be sure to read and follow all label directions. Spraying should be done after watering and during the cooler part of the day. Slug and snail problems can be controlled with baits containing metaldehyde. Use these with caution around children or pets.
Check with other growers or your local orchid society for specific growing care in your area.
Angel Street Orchids PO Box 492, Makawao, HI 96768
