Dendrobium

The dendrobium orchid is a perennial herb, which, among other things, is a representative of one of the most extensive families - the Orchid family. From the Greek language, the word dendrobium can be translated as "living on a tree", and this may be directly related to the fact that this plant is an epiphyte that lives on trees and is perfectly adjacent to them. Lithophytes are also found among dendrobiums. They live mainly on stones, but there are, of course, much less of them in this species diversity than epiphytes.

This genus includes more than 1200 species that can be found, perhaps, in natural and natural conditions in almost any state. Dendrobiums are found in the Philippines and Australia, New Zealand and Japan, China and Oceania, as well as New Guinea. All these species, of course, are very different from each other - both in their external characteristics, and in the peculiarities of growth, color, arrangement of flowers, as well as in what time these plants usually bloom.

Of course, in this article we will dwell in more detail on the description of this genus, and also talk about the most common and popular types of dendrobium that are found in our country today. This article will be very interesting for both novice gardeners and those who already have experience in growing dendrobiums, but at the same time they would like to expand the species range and get more original and interesting plantings.

Dendrobium orchid: plant description

Dendrobium Orchid: flower photo

We will describe the dendrobium according to several main parameters that must be taken into account when a florist selects crops for planting. Of course, each parameter is an indicator of what the plant needs most, and what should be paid special attention to when choosing a plant and when planting it, as well as when taking care of it.

The flowering period of dendrobium is from two to three months, and, of course, this figure is sometimes decisive when the gardener decides to choose completely new crops for planting.

Dendrobium needs to be on well illuminated terrain, the light should be bright and abundant. Plus, it's best to disperse it. Since if suddenly direct sunlight falls on the bush, this will lead to burns on the landing. And the plant will lose not only its decorative characteristics, but also its health. Daylight hours in duration should be at least 12 hours. So you should accumulate all your strength, as well as all the resources in order to create just such conditions.

It is certainly important to observe temperature mode... During the period when the orchid is in very active growth, in the daytime the temperature should remain within 20-25 degrees, but at night the temperature may drop to 16 degrees, but not less.

Some types of dendrobium are cool. So in the spring and summer, they just need the temperature not to be higher than 18 degrees. But at night the temperature can drop to 12 degrees. In winter, during the day, the temperature can be around 12 degrees, and at night it is permissible for it to drop to 8 degrees. The plant will feel quite comfortable if all other caring requirements are met.

As a rule, the night temperature can also differ from the daytime by 5-7 degrees, such a difference is optimal, and in principle, plantings tolerate it well, especially if initially there was relative stability in care, and the plant has already strengthened to a greater extent.

In spring and summer, dendrobium should be very abundantly moisturized. But when the plant is in the dormant stage, then watering can be very sparse. This will be quite enough to keep the plant alive, but not to disturb it once again.

Dendrobium orchid responds well to high air humidity, it should be between 50 and 80 percent, not less. For this reason, the bush is regularly moistened, sprayed from a spray bottle, and only warm and settled water should be used for spraying.

In winter, it is best to move the container with the flower to a tray filled with moistened rubble or pebbles so that the plant receives sufficient moisture and feels as comfortable as possible.

Throughout the entire growing season, which stretches from April to September, about once every two weeks, the plant is introduced feeding, for this it is best to use a special solution, which was made on the basis of mineral fertilizer for orchids. In principle, other options with feeding can be considered, because the most important thing is not to exaggerate the dosages themselves and follow only those instructions that are indicated in the instructions for use of the fertilizer.

Dormant period plants usually occurs immediately after the bush fades. In this case, the period of rest will depend solely on what species the dendrobium belongs to. They can also sometimes be carried and displaced, so this point should be taken very carefully.

About once every three or four years, the dendrobium orchid should transplant. If these are autumn-flowering varieties, then they are transplanted into new containers or to a new place immediately after new shoots appear. But if these are species that bloom in the spring, then they should be replanted as soon as the flowering is completed.

Multiply Orchids are usually in two main ways - either by cuttings, or by dividing the bush, as they are considered the most effective and safest.

Among the most harmful insects for dendrobium, we can distinguish such as spider mites or thrips, scale insects, mealybugs or whiteflies. If you find them in time, then there is a high probability that the plant will be saved, and then it will feel just wonderful.

Also refer to some diseases which affect orchids are root rot and mottles (especially leaf mottles), powdery mildew and brown rot. Again, as with pests - if the grower is vigilant, detects diseases in time, then he will certainly save the plants. They will be much stronger, while their flowering will not go anywhere at all, will remain just as abundant and attractive.

Dendrobium: home care

Dendrobium Orchid: flower photo

It is, of course, important to understand how to take care of your orchid at home. There are several features of cultivation, and they are due to the fact that there are a huge variety of dendrobium orchid species today. They differ from each other in agrotechnical measures and requirements, and because of this, it is impossible to identify any general and universal procedures - they are really all very different.

Each species can be capricious, and these quibbles and whims are also worth keeping in mind. Especially if the gardener is focused on growing a magnificent, majestic and magnificently flowering plant from a bush.

But there are still several general requirements that just reflect some of the features of caring for Dendrobium:

• growing dendrobium at home is not an easy task. So you should be patient and remember that if you follow all the conditions and agricultural techniques, the result will not be long in coming;
• each species has its own rules of agricultural technology, and it should only be grown exclusively in accordance with them, without expecting that the rules of one species will automatically become suitable rules for another species. Otherwise, there is a great risk that the plant will simply die in the very near future;
• absolutely all types of orchids perceive bright light perfectly. But here, too, one condition must be observed - he must be absent-minded. The dendrobium flower should also be protected from direct sunlight. Otherwise, burns will appear, which will extremely negatively affect not only the external characteristics of the orchid, but also its health. Burns can provoke the development of various diseases, so you should be very careful and vigilant in this;
• all species do not tolerate sudden gusts of wind and drafts, so it is worth protecting the plantings from this;
• when flowers grow in natural, natural conditions, then they do not need a state of rest and, accordingly, some care measures can be significantly transformed. So this aspect is also taken into account by the florist when he chooses agrotechnical measures, and the flower, in theory, should be calm enough.

Air temperature

It should be remembered that each type of dendrobium has its own individual needs when it comes to temperature air. For example, all species can be divided into six separate groups, which differ from each other precisely by what requirements and conditions they put forward for the optimal temperature regime for growing.

But on average, for those species that are considered thermophilic, during the entire growing season there is a need for such a temperature that will be in the range from 20 to 25 degrees. At night, the temperature should be from 16 to 21 degrees, not higher, but not lower.

In winter, the room where the dendrobium grows should be no more than 20 degrees, and the ideal night will be 18 degrees, and maybe colder - the orchid will feel comfortable, the main thing is to observe the measure in everything.

Species, which are originally intended to be kept cool, require a not too high air temperature - from 15 to 18 degrees. The temperature should be about twelve degrees at night. The plant will develop within such limits in accordance with the norms, acquire some additional decorative features and characteristics.

In winter, these types of dendrobium will feel great at a temperature of 12 degrees, and at night it can drop to 8.

The most important thing is to be able to distinguish species from each other, and not to create too stuffy, hot atmosphere in the room. Since this can make the plant feel completely uncomfortable, the green part will begin to crumble, in principle, the orchid will lose its decorative characteristics and properties.

Lighting

Most of the dendrobium species from all existing and identified, as well as most varieties, need to be located in bright light. But it is also worth keeping in mind that the flower must be protected from direct sunlight, and they must not harm the plant in the form of damage, burns.

In order for the plant to grow and develop in accordance with all the specified norms, the average daylight hours should be about 12 hours. It is not necessary to increase the daylight hours, but it is also impossible to shorten it.

If the dendrobium orchid is to a greater extent in the shade, which will lead to the fact that the orchid will lose its decorative and attractive properties, therefore, it is still necessary to maintain the flower in diffused but very bright light.

How to water dendrobium at home

Watering dendrobiums is the same as watering any other types of orchids. Of course, there are some peculiarities here, but in general they are quite accessible even for novice florists.

Dendrobium Orchid: flower photo

In the spring and summer, watering dendrobium is very abundant, but at the same time, in no case should the liquid stagnate in the substrate. Because of this, there is a great risk that the root system will be very malleable, rot will begin to develop, and they will already lead to the death of the planting.

As for the water for irrigation, it should be warm, filtered or well settled so that it contains as few different microorganisms and bacteria as possible.

Air humidity

A plant like dendrobium needs a high humidity of fifty to eighty percent. In order to just create such an environment and provide moisture, especially in the summer, you just need to take the flower outside and spray it as often as possible.

With the onset of winter, the container with a flower should be placed in a pallet, which will be filled with moistened gravel. This, in general, will be enough for the plant to feel comfortable enough, and so that its flowering is only better, more spectacular, more magnificent.

For convenience, you can also use the advice of experienced gardeners, and videos that clearly show how to moisturize the plant, as well as tell you how often you should water the dendrobium, and what to do to prevent too much moisture from stagnating in the soil.

Dendrobium transplant

Dendrobium transplant - the plant tolerates this procedure with very great difficulty. Therefore, a transplant is prescribed very rarely, and only if necessary. A planned transplant can be carried out once every four years.

If these are spring-flowering species, then they are transplanted to a new place as soon as the flowering is completed.

If we are talking about species that bloom in autumn, then they should be moved from place to place when new, young shoots begin to appear on the plant.

It is better to take the pot not the largest, while it can be made of absolutely any material - it does not matter. Experienced flower growers usually take clay flowerpots, and those who do not have experience grow an orchid in translucent plastic containers. But again, we repeat that there are no strict requirements for containers, so the florist can use whatever pots he wants.

At the very bottom of the container, it is worth laying out several heavy, but small stones so that the container becomes more stable and does not turn over in case of mechanical impact on it. From above, a drainage layer is laid directly on the stones, which can be made from expanded clay or polystyrene, broken brick or a large stove, pebbles. A layer of bark is poured on top, which should be a large fraction. And the flower is very carefully transferred into a new container, while the earthen lump should remain.

Dendrobium Orchid: plant transplantAll the voids that remain are filled with fresh substrate. In order to plant orchids, more experienced flower growers recommend using a ready-made soil mixture, which is sold in specialized stores and is designed specifically for orchids.

You can make the mixture yourself. To do this, take sphagnum, charcoal and pine bark, as well as some coconut chips. But still, sometimes orchids take root well in the substrate, which is one hundred percent only of the bark.

This is very convenient, because the grower can save a lot of his own time on this, and the plant itself will just feel great.

Fertilizing dendrobium

Fertilizers for dendrobium are applied only when the orchid is in the active phase of its growth, that is, from April to September.The frequency of feeding is once every two weeks. To do this, ideally, you can use a complex mineral fertilizer in liquid form, which is just intended for feeding orchids.

But right there it is worth emphasizing that the concentration of nutrients that we use should be about 50% weaker than what we have and what was originally recommended by the manufacturer himself.

If the grower ignores this requirement and uses the mixture in its original form, then this can lead to damage to the root system. This means that the plant itself will suffer quite a lot. This is a general rule, but in addition to it there are also particular feeding rules that apply to certain varieties and types of orchids.

For example, those species and varieties that are kept warm should be regularly fed with potassium and phosphorus-containing fertilizers, and the feeding should not be stopped even in winter. Fertilization is applied once a month, the amount depends on the variety and at what age the plant is.

Types of cool content must be fed with nitrogen-containing components, and this can be done two to three times a month.

Flowering features

Each type of dendrobium gives flowering when it is prescribed in accordance with the varietal characteristics. The flowering period usually stretches from two to three months.

In order for the plant to start blooming on time, the temperature difference between day and night should be from five to seven degrees. The easiest way to achieve this effect is in the summer. But in winter, this is much more complicated. This becomes especially difficult due to the fact that the room is heated around the clock, and therefore it is sometimes difficult to organize a change in temperature when it is stable by default and does not move anywhere. But for the sake of the plant, these processes can also be regulated in a certain way.

After the plant has bloomed, watering should be gradually reduced, and then completely finished. Peduncles are carefully cut with sharp and disinfected tools. The bush is transferred to a place where there will always be a cool temperature. In this case, the plant will be able to rest normally, and the orchid will very quickly gain strength in order to start blooming in the new season.

If the dendrobium orchid grows naturally right in nature, then it will not stop growing, even in winter. In mid-latitudes, at low temperatures and lack of lighting, the plant can hibernate. Growth, of course, will also stop, but in natural conditions this is quite acceptable. Of course, the death of the plant in this case is completely and completely excluded, but still, in principle, this should not be allowed.

When daylight hours are reduced, and this usually happens in winter, then the bush should be additionally illuminated using phytolamps and fluorescent lamps. In nature, an orchid has no rest, and it is constantly busy with something.

Usually it is taken to very actively grow foliage and green part, as well as build up the root system, flower stalks, in general, everything in order to increase its total mass and increase in size.

If the dendrobium flower in the fall nevertheless fell into a dream, then it should not be disturbed in any way at all, that is, watering, feeding stops, and the bush itself is transferred to cooler places.

Dendrobium: plant propagation

Let's talk a little about how this type of orchid can be propagated.

The first way is division bush. The division is usually carried out right during the transplanting of the orchid from one place to another, since the plant usually fades by this time. An adult and large bush should be carefully removed from the container in which it was located and divided into several parts. In this case, the root system must be thoroughly cleaned of the soil substrate.

The roots unravel neatly.And if they are too entangled, then they should be cut with a well-sharpened and disinfected tool.

During the division, the gardener should also bear in mind that on each division there should be from two to three ripe bulbs, and the number of young shoots should be identical. The cut sites are treated with garden pitch or crushed coal so that bacteria or various harmful microorganisms that can provoke diseases and fungi do not penetrate them.

Cuttings - this is another way through which you can propagate an orchid. To do this, from the parental shrub, it is worth cutting off one pseudobulb and cutting it into cuttings. The length of the cuttings should be about ten centimeters, no less. The places where the slices are located are treated with garden varnish so that bacteria or microbes do not get into them.

Next, you should take a plastic bag with a tight fastener and fill it with very moist sphagnum. Each package can accommodate either one or two cuttings. The bags are fastened as tightly as possible. And then they are sent to as warm and well-lit place as possible, in which the temperature will be from 22 to 25 degrees.

It should be borne in mind that the light must be diffused, direct sunlight is strictly contraindicated! Every day, the bags should be opened for a while to ventilate the cuttings, and the sphagnum should be slightly damp, but not wet, no liquid or impromptu swamp should form inside the bag.

Rooting of cuttings occurs approximately 2-3 weeks after the start of these procedures. And after that they can be placed in separate pots. When the bushes grow from these cuttings, they will bloom approximately in the second or third year after planting. So you should be patient, but the result will definitely not disappoint the grower.

Types of dendrobium: photos and characteristics

We have already said that today there are a whole lot of different species and varieties of dendrobium orchids. It is almost impossible to single out the most beautiful, unpretentious and decorative ones.

Below we will give a more detailed description of those types of dendrobium that are most popular and in demand among flower growers, and the reader will be able to determine for himself whether he would like to see this or that species at home or on the site, or, in principle, for this orchid of a similar family unsuitable.

The main thing to remember is that each flower is unique, as are the peculiarities of its cultivation, appearance and care for it.

Dendrobium noble

The first view that we will consider in this article. This view is perhaps the most attractive and beautiful. Its homeland is Vietnam and the Himalayas, but due to the fact that the plant looks very attractive, very soon this species spread to many other territories and states, Russia is far from an exception.

Pseudobulbs are very long, thick, shiny, reaching half a meter. In the second year, pseudobulbs form peduncles, on which from one to three very large flowers are formed. In diameter, one flower can reach almost ten centimeters. And many say that this figure is far from the limit, and the flowers can be even larger.

The color of the flowers is very rich, noble, snow-white, and the tips can be diluted with a pink-lilac shade. The lip is more creamy, the border is pinkish. The neck of the orchid is purple. Flowering can occur more than once a year, but even several, due to which this species has gained such fame.

In addition, in general, the plant does not differ in some kind of excessive whimsy or picky about the requirements of care. So in many ways it is the most beneficial and very decorative species of all that are bred or known today.Those florists who have succeeded in growing a plant of this species feel great pride, and they have absolutely every right to do so.

Dendrobium moniliform

This species belongs to the category of Japanese endemics, it is a reduced copy of the noble orchid. The height of the bush reaches only fifteen centimeters. If we compare this type of orchid with all the others, then it differs in the least exactingness to care measures, so if the grower still has absolutely no experience in growing such crops, or has experience, but very scarce, then they should pay attention to just this type plants.

Either way, it looks very decorative and cute, and anyone would love to have a smaller version of the gorgeous dendrobium as it deserves attention.

Dendrobium densely colored

The third type, which we will consider in the framework of this article. It is an epiphyte native to the Eastern Himalayas. The inflorescences are in the form of brushes, they are drooping and lush at the same time, their length usually reaches thirty centimeters, if the plant is in the most favorable conditions for itself.

On one inflorescence, up to fifty fragrant flowers can be formed, which have a delicate yellow color, slightly muffled, but at the same time incredibly warm. The lip is colored in an orange-yellow shade, pubescent, along the edge you can see a very light fringe.

The species also has an interesting variety - dendrobium brush-colored. The petals of this type are painted in cream or snow-white shades, it all looks very sophisticated and, at the same time, elegant and original.

The plant as a whole is not whimsical. It is worth looking after him in accordance with the requirements that we actually considered in the framework of this article, but a little higher.

Dendrobium King

His homeland is the Australian continent, but even so from afar, this plant quickly migrated to us. The stems have an almost cylindrical shape, at the bottom you can see a slight thickening, but at the top of the stem, rather wide and very bright saturated leaf plates are formed.

On the peduncle, from five or more fragrant flowers, painted in a pink shade, can form, and their lip is very original - covered with specks. Shrub growth can last throughout the year, and the flowering itself usually occurs between February and March.

Dendrobium Parisha

It is also an epiphyte that has drooping shoots. The length of one shoot reaches thirty centimeters, and sometimes even longer shoots are found. The leaf plates are large, from seven to twelve centimeters long, pointed towards the end, oblong and quite attractive due to their color.

The flowers are solitary, colored amethyst-purple. In this case, their lip may be covered with a light fluff. It also has specks of a brownish-brown hue, so this color resembles a Dolmatian. The boot is also purple.

Flowering begins in June-July, it looks bright and very attractive. It is not surprising that the plant has so many fans in different parts of the world.

Dendrobium Phalaenopsis

In nature, this species can most often be found in Australia, and its flowers very much resemble the orchid of the same name. It is this, most likely, that made them give him exactly the same name.

The length of the pseudobulbs, which are located on the bush, usually reaches seventy centimeters. The peduncle is also very tall, from ten or more large flowers, which are painted in a burgundy shade, can form on it.In diameter, one flower reaches almost eight centimeters, sometimes this figure is far from the limit.

Each dendrobium blooms blooms and blooms for about two months. At the same time, old pseudobulbs can bloom not once, but several times, and this is a great curiosity of this species. Flowering usually occurs in November-December, which, of course, is amazing. After all, usually at this time, almost all plants are at rest, and there can be no talk of any flowering, but this is not at all the case.

A gardener or florist can choose the type of dendrobium that he likes the most. More experienced gardeners emphasize that for gardeners who are just starting to get acquainted with these crops, species such as phalaenopsis dendrobium and noble dendrobium are best suited.