Dendrobium Orchid Home Growing Tips and Daily Care Methods

Dendrobium orchids, along with Cattleya, Phalaenopsis and Vanda, are ranked as the four major tropical ornamental orchid groups, and are one of the largest genera in the Orchidaceae family, with 1500-1600 native species, of which about 60 are found in China. Dendrobiums are divided into two major categories, deciduous dendrobiums and evergreen dendrobiums, according to their biological characteristics and different ecological requirements. Deciduous dendrobiums send up flower spikes from the upper part of the pseudobulb each year, and after flowering new shoots grow from the base and develop into new pseudobulbs, with the leaves falling at the end of the growing period or in the spring of the following year. The leaves of evergreen dendrobiums can remain without withering for several years, and the flower spikes usually emerge from the top of the pseudobulb or at the nodes on its upper end.

There are many varieties of dendrobium orchids, and those commonly seen in ornamental cultivation at present include Dendrobium densiflorum, Dendrobium thyrsiflorum, Dendrobium phalaenopsis, Dendrobium nobile, Dendrobium primulinum, Dendrobium loddigesii, Dendrobium fragrans and others. Dendrobium flowers have beautiful shapes and graceful, colorful postures, and many species are fragrant, making them important cut flower types that can also be grown in pots.

To grow dendrobiums well, the following points should be followed according to the biological characteristics of different dendrobium species:

Shading

Dendrobium orchids often grow epiphytically on tree trunks or rocks in tropical rainforests in their places of origin, and therefore prefer a semi-shaded environment. During the vigorous growth period in spring and summer, shading should be carried out, with 60%-70% shading possible, but in the winter dormant period more sunlight is needed, generally 20%-30% shading, or no shading.

Heat preservation

Dendrobium orchids like high temperatures and high humidity. For deciduous types, the overwintering temperature at night can be as low as about 10°C or lower, while evergreen types must not go below 15°C. At the same time, attention should be paid to maintaining a relatively large day-night temperature difference (10-15°C); when the temperature difference is too small, it will seriously affect the growth and flowering of dendrobium orchids.

Proper watering

Dendrobium orchids like sufficient moisture but also dislike excessive dampness; when too wet, root rot will occur, leading to poor growth or even death. Deciduous types can be kept appropriately dry in winter with less watering, but the potting material should not be overly dry, and the air humidity should not be too low. For evergreen types in winter, as long as the greenhouse temperature is high, sufficient moisture still needs to be maintained.

Frequent misting

In the dry and hot growing season on sunny days, water should often be sprayed around the potted plants to increase air humidity. In the rainy season, when humidity is relatively high, misting can be stopped, and care should be taken that water does not accumulate in the pot.

Reasonable fertilizing

Dendrobium orchids like light but frequent fertilizing. During the growing period, decomposed cake fertilizer water can be applied once every 7-10 days, or a 0.1% complete-element compound fertilizer can be applied as a foliar feed. Fertilizing should be stopped during the dormant period of deciduous types and when evergreen types are forced into dormancy by low temperatures.