| Growing & Care Dendrobium | | | | like high humidity and lots of water. As with all |
| DENDROBIUM (den-DROH-bee-um) - Dendrobium | | | | orchids, the frequency of watering depends on |
| orchids are called "Phalaenopsis type" because | | | | your growing conditions, but at least every 2-3 |
| their flowers resemble those of the Phalaenopsis | | | | days is a good idea during the summer. After the |
| variety. Phalaenopsis type are evergreen, while | | | | growing season, cut water back somewhat |
| other varieties of Dendrobiums shed their leaves | | | | (maybe every ten days), but do not suspend |
| in the fall and winter. Dendrobiums are also | | | | watering. |
| commonly used as cut flowers because of their | | | | Repot:Repot once every two years in Spring, |
| sturdy stems and distinctive coloring. | | | | after blooming, or when new growth starts. You |
| Dendrobium is native to Southeast Asia, the | | | | may mix clay aggregate, perlite, and coconut fiber |
| genus dendrobium is one of the largest of all | | | | in the new pot. |
| orchid groups. There are about 1,200 individual | | | | Feeding: Normally feed once a week and heavily |
| species, and they grow in all manner of climates, | | | | during the growing season with a weak fertilizer |
| from hot, wet lowlands to high-altitude, colder | | | | solution containing lots of nitrogen, or use a |
| mountains. | | | | balanced fertilizer like 20-20-20 at quarter strength |
| Temperature:The ideal day temperature is 75-85 | | | | with every watering. At the end of the growing |
| °F, while the ideal night temperature is 60-65 | | | | season, reduce fertilizer by about half to help |
| °F. Occasional temperature extremes are | | | | provoke a better bloom. |
| tolerated if exposure is not prolonged. | | | | Blooming: These bloom for me throughout the |
| Light:These dendrobiums enjoy full morning sun, | | | | year, depending on conditions. To help provoke a |
| but will require shading between 11am and 3pm - | | | | flower spike, slightly drop the water and nighttime |
| less shading will be needed in late afternoon. An | | | | temperature. Also, if a cane loses all its leaves, |
| overhead light source is most effective and a | | | | don't cut it off—they sometimes bloom from |
| slight drop in nighttime temperature will often | | | | old canes. The flowers are long-lasting, up to six |
| stimulate a bloom. | | | | weeks. |
| Water:During the growing season, dendrobiums | | | | |