Dendrobium Orchids - 4 Mistakes You Must Avoid With Dendrobiums

Dendrobiums are one of the most diverse species of orchids with over 1,200 genera spread all over the planet. As such, when choosing to grow them, many orchid growers cannot avoid making mistakes that are common for a large variety of species.

Because of its large assortment, the ones grown in cultivation have been classified into two more specific types, the evergreens and the deciduous orchids. These two kinds are fairly different from one another, but both of them can be cultivated successfully in greenhouses or other such structures.

When choosing dendrobium orchids, the deciduous kind is considered to be better for beginners for they are sturdier and more resilient to newbies' mistakes compared to evergreens. On the other hand evergreens, when confined to greenhouses and similar places, are very simple to grow as long as the correct climatic conditions are met.

Dendrobiums in general require high moisture content and have intermediate light requirements. During the growing season they should be kept in shaded areas where the sun can adequately provide them with light at certain parts of the day.

To further assist you with the successful growing of these orchids, here are the 4 most common blunders that orchid growers make when cultivating dendrobiums and how to avoid them.

Sleeping Orchids

During winter, deciduous dendrobiums go into a sort of hibernation. They slowly lose their leaves and look lifeless but are very much alive. Most orchid growers call this phase of rest dormancy or ripening period.

At this very crucial time, the first blunder happens. A growing dendrobium normally requires an abundance of humidity and medium light. This will make sure that the orchids will grow a lot of thriving flowers when the time comes. But during the winter, orchid growers mistakenly handle them the same way. You should not do this!

Dendrobiums in their ripening time in reality have rather different needs. When this time comes they must be exposed to as much sunlight as they can tolerate. Never place them in areas where they are shaded and away from sunlight. Its normal location when it was still awake will not suffice anymore to keep it alive. Try to put it beside windows or anywhere where sunlight can reach them.

Another thing to keep in mind is the humidity levels. During this stage, dendrobiums do not need a lot of water. Very little moisture will be sufficient to keep their roots alive. Also never forget that their roots always need plenty of air circulation so you should place them where there is a lot of fresh air. If you follow these vital tricks then you are sure to have robust pseudobulbs in the spring.

Baby Orchids

The second mistake that orchid growers make is when trying to cultivate flowering dendrobiums. Evergreens and deciduous dendrobiums act very differently than each other when it comes to propagation. Treating them similarly is a bad idea and can even cause their flowers to not blossom.

Evergreens are more lenient compared to deciduous plants when propagating. Evergreens can produce new shoots without affecting its flowering cycle. On the other hand, deciduous pseudobulbs can only produce flowers once.

In order to successfully propagate evergreens without affecting its flowers, be attentive. As soon as its flowers shed, then instantly cut the stem at the base where there are new shoots. Cut them into two or more divisions, then pot them. Be sure though that the stems you collected have two or more pseudobulbs. And never throw away the old shoots because they can still grow blooms the following year.

While deciduous dendrobium's old shoots may be cut into several pieces and potted in order to propagate after flowering, be sure that the cuttings have one or two nodes each. Pot them on damp sand and place them somewhere humid, warm and shaded.

Making the Cut

This next blunder is also about the propagation of deciduous dendribiums. Sometimes because of the season the nodes of the cuttings have a challenge growing new plants. To avoid this, orchid growers usually select spring time to grow new plants to take advantage of the season.

But when orchid growers decide to do this outside of spring, they can employ a different method that will ensure there are new growths of plants at its nodes. This is done with the help of growth hormones.

When handling other plants, you usually dip the base part of the cut in hormone powder to spur root growth. When handling this type of orchids, you have to do the opposite. You have to dip the top end of the cuttings instead of the bottom. Orchids create new growths first, and then the roots will follow right after.

Size Matters

The last mistake that you should be aware of occurs when potting dendribiums. Choosing the correct size of the container to use is a critical part of growing these orchids. Among all orchids, dendribiums are described as having the thinnest and least expansive roots.

This means that large pots are a big no-no. If you can, look for and use the tinniest pot that it can fit into. A smaller pot is more preferable because its roots can flourish better.

After its blooming year you can replace the pot and select the next best pot that can fit its new size.

Dendrobium orchids are a great choice. Sure, they are more work for your average orchid grower, but once you learn the simple do's and don't's, growing them will be a piece of cake.


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And to learn even more about dendrobium orchid care tips, download my totally FREE "5 Biggest Orchid Care Mistakes" report by going here: Dendrobium Orchids.

Mary Ann Berdak is the publisher of www.OrchidCareZone.com - a top online destination for orchid care tips and advice.