Dendrobium Orchids - Do You Make These 4 Mistakes With Dendrobiums?

Dendrobium Orchids - Do You Make These 4 Mistakes With Dendrobiums?

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

Because of its large assortment, the ones grown in cultivation have been classified into two more specific types, the evergreens and the deciduous plants. These two kinds are quite different from each other, but the two of them can be cultivated fruitfully in greenhouses or other such structures.

When selecting dendrobium orchids, the deciduous type is considered to be better for newbies for they are tougher and more resilient to beginners' mistakes than those of evergreens. On the other hand evergreens, when grown in greenhouses and similar structures, are very simple to grow as long as the proper climatic conditions are met.

Dendrobiums generally require high moisture content and have intermediate light requirements. During the growing season they prefer being kept in shaded areas where the sun can adequately give them with light at certain parts of the day.

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

Sleeping Orchids

During the winter season, deciduous dendrobiums go into a sort of deep sleep. They slowly lose their leaves and seem to be dead but are very much alive. Most orchid growers call this phase of rest dormancy or ripening period.

At this very critical time, the first mistake occurs. A flourishing dendrobium normally requires plenty of humidity and medium light. This will make sure that the plant will grow a lot of thriving flowers when the time comes. But during the winter, orchid growers mistakenly treat them the same way. You should never this!

Dendrobiums in their maturing period actually have rather different needs. When this time comes they have to be exposed to as much sunlight as they can withstand. Do not place them in locations where they are shaded and away from sunlight. Its regular location when it was still awake will not be enough anymore to keep it alive. Try to place it near windows or anywhere where the light can reach them.

Another thing to keep in mind is the humidity levels. During this time, dendrobiums do not require a lot of moisture. Very little water 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 tips then you are sure to have healthy pseudobulbs in the spring.

Baby Orchids

The second blunder that orchid growers make is when trying to propagate 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 create new growths without affecting its blooming cycle. On the other hand, deciduous pseudobulbs can only produce blossoms once.

In order to successfully multiply evergreens without affecting its flowers, be attentive. As soon as its flowers shed, then instantly cut the stem at the bottom 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 do not ever throw away the old pseudobulbs because they can still produce flowers 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 moist sand and place them somewhere humid, warm and shaded.

Making the Cut

This next mistake 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 choose 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 technique 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 bottom part of the cut in hormone powder to stimulate root growth. When handling this type of orchids, you have to do the opposite. You must dip the top end of the cuttings instead of the base. Orchids create new growths first, and then the roots will develop right after.

Size Matters

The last blunder that you should be aware of happens when potting dendribiums. Deciding the proper size of the container to use is a vital part of growing these orchids. Among all orchids, dendribiums are described as having the thinnest and least expansive roots.

This means that huge pots are a real no-no. If you can, search for and use the smallest pot that it can fit into. A smaller container is more desirable because its roots can thrive better.

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

Dendrobium orchids are a perfect choice. Sure, they are a lot work for your average orchid grower, but once you master the simple do's and don't's, growing them will be a walk in the park.

About the Author:
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.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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