Dendrobium
Family. Orchidaceae.
Origin. The plants are native to India, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.
Description. The genus Dendrobium includes about 900 species of deciduous or evergreen orchids. The species are extremely diverse and can behave in nature as epiphytes and lithophytes.
Pseudobulbs are thick, juicy, as if consisting of separate segments.
The leaves are strap-shaped or oblong-ovate, leathery, alternate. Inflorescences - brushes are located in the axils of the leaves along the pseudobulbs, very numerous and sometimes almost hide the foliage.
The flowers vary from tiny to quite large - up to 10 cm in diameter, in a variety of shades - yellow, orange, red, pink, green, blue, purple, white, with the possible exception of black.
There are two-color varieties, often flowering dendrobiums have a pleasant aroma.
Despite the fact that this orchid has been known since the 18th century, it gained real popularity only in 1967, when it was first propagated in laboratory conditions and varieties suitable for growing at home appeared.
Height. Depends on the species and can range from 15 to 75 cm, some specimens can reach 1 m in height.
Home care
Keeping a dendrobium at home is not as easy as it may seem.
When buying a healthy and lushly blooming plant from a flower shop, do not forget that it was grown in a special nursery, where all the necessary conditions were recreated - lighting, temperature, air humidity.
A bush grown in a floriculture complex was spoiled with nutrient solutions and growth stimulants.
Propagation
Often propagated by dividing adult specimens during transplantation.
Stem cuttings should be covered with glass during rooting to maintain humidity.
The greenhouse is opened daily and the seedlings are ventilated, and the condensation accumulated on the surface of the cover is removed.
Cuttings should be carried out in a warm place, protected from direct sunlight.
The successful completion of the process is indicated by the appearance of the first signs of new growth.
Very rarely, this orchid reproduces by seeds.
Fflowering time
The buds appear in spring. The beginning of flowering can be stimulated by drying the soil for a month.
Transplant
Repotting is done every two to three years, and it is not necessary to use larger pots. Dendrobium blooms best in somewhat cramped conditions. Do not repot during the dormant period or during flowering. Use the time interval in the spring, just before growth resumes. When repotting, inspect the roots - remove damaged and rotten ones, and sprinkle the cut areas with crushed charcoal.
How to care
Orchid develops cyclically and at a strictly defined time it is necessary to provide it with different conditions of maintenance. Dendrobiums are divided into 2 groups according to maintenance conditions - one group includes most orchids that require a cool period of rest, and the other - plants that will develop at normal room temperature throughout the year. In addition, watering and spraying conditions will differ for different species, so when buying it is better to specify a specific type of flower. Below are recommendations for caring for one of the most common species - Dendrobium nobile.
1. The beginning of the growing season occurs when young shoots begin to grow from the bases of the pseudobulbs and the root system expands.
2. After 4-5 months from the start of growth, daughter pseudobulbs are formed, and when they reach their maximum size, a dormant period begins.
3. During the dormant period, the plant may lose its leaves. Do not prune old stems that have lost their leaves, as they may bloom again.
4. After a short period of dormancy, bud formation and flowering begin.
During each period, the plant needs different maintenance conditions and care:
1. Careful watering, which gradually increases with the formation of the root system. Fertilizing with fertilizers with a high nitrogen content to form green mass. Air temperature 22 - 25°C. As the shoots develop, the proportion of fertilizers with a high content of potassium and phosphorus is gradually increased.
2. When a vertical leaf appears at the top of the pseudobulb, it means that it has reached its maximum height and the dendrobium is ready to go into a dormant state. Reduce watering and arrange a daily temperature difference.
3. The rest period should take place in a cool room with a temperature of about 8 - 10°C. Watering during this period is kept to a minimum, simply protecting the soil from drying out completely. Feeding is stopped. Pseudobulbs may even become wrinkled at this time.
4. Watering is resumed only when the buds have already appeared. If you water too early, then leaves will form instead of buds. We increase the temperature gradually - during the flowering period it should be cool - about 15 - 16 °C.
From time to time will need sanitary pruning, in which old, dead leaves and wilted buds should be removed.
Watering
In summer, water generously with soft water, but allow the top layer of soil to dry out between waterings. Reduce watering after flowering – slightly wrinkled pseudobulbs will indicate the need for watering. Young dendrobiums will need regular watering, while mature specimens can tolerate slightly dry soil. For watering, use room temperature water or even slightly warmed water. In warmer months, especially in summer, when the bush is actively growing, it will be useful to immerse the pot in a large container of warm water for about an hour, and then let the excess moisture drain. This procedure can be done weekly – it allows the pieces of bark in the soil to soak properly.
Soil
Orchid mixture, sphagnum moss, pieces of pine bark. The substrate should contain pumice, perlite or coarse river sand to improve drainage. It is advisable to add pine bark to the soil as a drainage layer, which is generously poured onto the bottom of the pot. When planting, the soil is thoroughly compacted to remove air pockets. After transplantation, place the dendrobium in a shaded place and leave it there without watering for 4 to 5 days.
Diseases and pests
At home, the orchid suffers from mistakes in cultivation. Overwatering often leads to root rot, and the plant may die. In the absence of a dormant period or insufficient light, the dendrobium does not bloom. The leaves turn yellow with the onset of intense summer heat, after transplantation, or with excessive fertilization.
Of the insect pests, the leaves can be attacked by thrips and spider mites.
Temperature
In summer, when the dendrobium forms pseudobulbs, it needs warmth with a slight decrease in temperature at night. In autumn, when the pseudobulbs have finished growing, it is necessary to place the pot in a moderately warm room. The flower can withstand hot weather only with sufficient ventilation and air humidity. For abundant flowering, it is desirable to organize differences in night and day temperatures, for example, a temperature of about 18 - 24 ° C during the day should be replaced by night coolness - 13 - 15 ° C. After flowering, provide a cool rest period at a temperature of 15 - 16 ° C.
Fertilizer
During the growth period, the bush responds positively to fertilizing, since potted orchids have a limited feeding area. Since in their natural habitat, representatives of the genus behave as epiphytes, it is advisable to use foliar fertilizing, applying the nutrient solution to the leaves with a sprayer. Use orchid fertilizer diluted to half the recommended dosage. Do not fertilize in winter, even if the plant is blooming.
Lighting
The bush should receive as much sunlight as possible, without allowing direct sunlight to fall on the leaves. If there is not enough light, it will bloom reluctantly, the leaves will darken. Exposure to direct rays is possible in the morning or evening hours. Additional illumination with fluorescent lamps is possible in the autumn-winter period, if the orchid is awake at this time. When the buds are blooming, exposure to direct sunlight is undesirable, since flowering will be shorter. For flowering to occur, daylight should last about 14 hours.
Spraying
The air humidity should be at least 50%. Use a room humidifier or place the pot on a tray with wet pebbles. Spray only with soft water at room temperature, trying not to let water get on the flowers and buds. It is necessary to ensure constant air movement, while avoiding cold drafts.
Purpose
A very decorative orchid, not the easiest to grow, requiring compliance with certain rules of agricultural technology. Some varieties are suitable for growing as ampelous. Cut shoots do not lose their attractiveness for a long time in a vase with water and can be used in bouquets.
Note
Dendrobium is not poisonous and does not pose any danger to children and pets.
Types:
Dendrobium nobile
Dendrobium Nobile originates in Southeast Asia, where in its natural environment it behaves as an epiphyte - that is, it is attached by its roots to the branches of tall trees. It grows in cool places, in high altitudes, where night temperatures can drop to freezing point in winter.
This is a charming sympodial orchid with very abundant, long-lasting flowering. It has tall, erect, geniculate, thick stems. The leaves are oblong - lanceolate, green, glossy, with arcuate veins. During the flowering period, a short branched peduncle with several large, bright flowers appears opposite each leaf. The flowers are painted in various shades of white, yellow, lilac, purple, orange and pink with all possible combinations of them, and have a very pleasant sweetish aroma.
Dendrobium phalaenopsis
Dendrobium phalaenopsis or dendrophalaenopsis are sympodial orchids with long, green pseudobulbs. Each pseudobulb has several thick shoots on which are located (usually 3 - 6) oblong green leaves. Each shoot can bear from 3 to 20 flowers, with older plants blooming most profusely. The flowering period is very long and can last for 4 months continuously, and each flower can remain open for up to 1.5 months.
Flowering may occur again on the old peduncle, so such flower shoots should not be removed.
Dendrobium kingianum
One of the most miniature and unassuming, small-flowered subspecies of dendrobium, widespread in the nature of Australia. Unlike most subspecies, dendrobium often grows as a lithophyte - in rock crevices. The plant has storage pseudobulbs, which bear 1 or several thick, geniculate shoots at the top. Each shoot has several dark green, sessile, glossy leaves of an oblong lanceolate shape. During the flowering period, tall leafless peduncles with fragrant, bright flowers appear on the shoots. The color range ranges from white to red; plants with pink or lilac flowers are most often found.
Dendrobium Berry Oda
Intraspecific hybrid of Dendrobium. The main distinguishing feature of this plant is its adaptability to higher temperatures than most dendrobiums. The plants have elongated green pseudobulbs, from the top of which several thick stems emerge. At the tops of the stems there are many glossy green oblong leaves and thin erect flower stalks with small but bright lilac or pink flowers. During the flowering period, the plant emits a pleasant aroma.
Among other things, this variety is distinguished by its very compact size - plants often do not exceed 30 - 40 cm in height.
Dendrobium Sa-Nook
Intraspecific, multi-flowered hybrid, bred in Thailand, has a characteristic appearance for most dendrobiums - spindle-shaped pseudobulbs, thick stems, oblong, sessile, green leaves with a glossy surface. This variety is distinguished by the fact that re-blooming is possible 5 - 7 months after the buds fade. The flowers are fragrant, greenish, yellow, pink, white or lilac, reminiscent of phalaenopsis.