How to Grow Dendrobium Orchids? Growing Methods and Precautions

Generally speaking, people may be more familiar with Dendrobium, and the Dendrobium orchid is a type of Dendrobium that exists as a rare orchid and is widely sought after by orchid lovers. Like other Dendrobium species, the Dendrobium orchid grows in relatively dangerous and steep places, and harvesting it is not easy, which is why the Dendrobium orchid appears so precious.

How to Grow Dendrobium Orchids

Dendrobium orchids are mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, and they prefer warm, humid and semi-shaded environments, and are not cold-tolerant. The most suitable growing temperature is between 18 and 30°C. Dendrobium dislikes dryness and fears waterlogging, and especially when new buds begin to sprout and new roots are forming, it needs sufficient water. But if it is too wet, such as when encountering low temperatures, it can easily cause rot. It relatively prefers light, and sufficient sunlight in autumn leads to good flowering and a large number of flowers.

Dendrobium Orchid Growing Methods and Precautions

I. Growing Methods

1. Soil

To grow Dendrobium orchids, use loose and breathable soil. You can mix peat moss and charcoal as its growing medium. At the same time, you can place some tile pieces at the bottom of the pot, which will help its roots develop better.

2. Humidity

Dendrobium orchids relatively like humid environments, and when it is especially hot, you need to sprinkle some water around them. This way the air humidity will increase, but on rainy days be careful not to let water accumulate in the pot.

3. Temperature

It likes warmth, and normally it is best to keep the temperature between 15-28°C. The temperature difference between day and night should be relatively large, because if the temperature difference is too small, its growth and flowering will be affected.

4. Light

It relatively likes semi-shaded environments. In spring and summer, you should provide shading treatment, and quite a lot of shading, about 60%-70%. But in winter you should still give it more light, and you can skip shading; if you do shade, only shade 20%-30%.

5. Fertilizing

Starting in the second year, you should begin fertilizing it, twice each year. The first time is in April, and you can use pig bristles, bean dregs, etc., and after fermentation apply them around the roots to help the young shoots grow better. The second time is in November, using the same fertilizing method.

II. Precautions

1. Watering. In spring and summer, you should water a bit more, and after September you should reduce watering.

2. Pruning. Pay attention and observe regularly, and promptly cut off old branches, diseased and weak branches, and branches that are too dense.

3. Repotting. Every two to three years you should repot it to give it better growing conditions.

The Effects and Functions of Dendrobium Orchids

I. The Effects of Dendrobium Orchids

1. Stomach yin deficiency and heat disease damaging fluids syndrome. It nourishes stomach yin, promotes fluid production and quenches thirst, and can also clear stomach heat. It mainly treats heat disease damaging fluids, with symptoms of irritability, thirst, dry tongue and black coating. It is often used together with Trichosanthes root, fresh Rehmannia, dwarf lilyturf and other items, such as the method of clearing heat and preserving fluids in "Treatise on Seasonal Diseases." To treat stomach pain, swollen and painful gums, and mouth and tongue sores caused by stomach heat and yin deficiency, it can be used together with Rehmannia, dwarf lilyturf, Scutellaria baicalensis and other items.

2. Kidney yin deficiency syndrome. It can nourish kidney yin and reduce deficient fire, and is suitable for blurred vision, weakness and flaccidity of the muscles and bones, and syndromes such as yin deficiency with fire hyperactivity and steaming bone tidal fever. It is often used together with goji berry, prepared Rehmannia, dodder seed and other items. For those with kidney yin depletion and weakness and flaccidity of the muscles and bones, it is often used together with prepared Rehmannia, Cornus officinalis, Eucommia ulmoides, Achyranthes bidentata and other items that tonify the liver and kidney and strengthen the muscles and bones. For kidney deficiency with hyperactive fire and steaming bone tidal fever, it is suitable to use together with fresh Rehmannia, goji berry, Phellodendron amurense, Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora and other items that nourish kidney yin and reduce deficient heat.

II. The Functions of Dendrobium Orchids

Dendrobium orchids are listed as the first of China's nine great immortal herbs, and among the people they are called the ”life-saving immortal herb.” The stems of Dendrobium orchids can clear heat and promote fluid production, reduce inflammation and relieve pain, clear the lungs and moisten the throat, and also have very good anti-fatigue and hypoxia-resistant effects.

The Flower Language of Dendrobium Orchids

Dendrobium orchids have a temperament of strength and amiable peacefulness, and many countries regard them as the “flower of Father's Day.” Giving Dendrobium orchids on Father's Day represents a kind of perseverance and bravery. The flower language of Dendrobium is: auspiciousness, blessing, purity, welcome, happiness. Yellow Dendrobium orchids are flowers given to fathers on Father's Day or their birthdays, implying the father's fortitude, kindness and dignity, and expressing a kind of respect for the father.

Orchids themselves are a variety that requires a great deal of time and energy to care for, and Dendrobium orchids even more so, so we must pay attention to the ways and methods of cultivation. In addition, Dendrobium orchids have many of the effects and functions of Dendrobium, and besides being used for general ornamental purposes, we can also make use of them in other ways.