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Dendrobiums DemystifiedThe genus is a huge one with perhaps over 1000 species distributed from Japan southeastward through the Pacific Islands, westward to India; South China southward throughout Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea to Australia and New Zealand. In addition to the vast territory the genus covers, species can also be found over an equally vast elevation range form sea level to several thousand feet. In spite of their habitat variability, there are several common rules to good culture: 
Dendrobium densiflorum Use the smallest pot possible - NEVER overpot this genus!
Well-drained media promote good root growth and minimize media breakdown Most DO NOT appreciate root disturbance - repotting can lead to shock NO fertilizer for most species Halloween through Easter Hang tall palnts to control top heaviness or place small pots inside much larger pots and weight down with rocks DO NOT use coppr based fungicides with dendrobiums ALWAYS repot only when roots start to grow (usually spring) so re-establishment is fast Don't be discouraged. In addition to the common rules, the whole genus can be broken down into 7 or 8 groups with similar culture. The key to flowering dendrobiums is in their dormancy requirements.
Cultural Sections The "Warm Nobile" group
The Callista group The Formosae group (Often called the Nigro-hirsute group) |
