Dendrobium mix home care transplant. Dendrobium noble: room care

If you accurately translate the name of this genus of orchids, it means "living on trees" and indicates that the plants of the genus always lead an epiphytic lifestyle. Dendrobium orchids form one of the most diverse and, perhaps, one of the most numerous genera of the orchid family (the genus includes approximately 1,500 species).

Dendrobium (Dendrobium). © Elena Gaillard Content:

Description of Dendrobium

Plants of the genus Dendrobium differ greatly not only in the shape and color of flowers, but also in their growth and structural features. Here you can meet the most diverse, strikingly exotic species.

Flower shoots can grow hanging down, in clusters, or upright. All flowers of the genus are characterized by a spur-shaped protrusion of the lip, the so-called "chin". The size of plants also varies greatly: some orchids are only a few millimeters, while others can reach a size of 2 meters or even more.

Many types of Dendrobium, such as Dendrobium pierara or Dendrobium farmer shed their leaves before flowering. These species belong to the orchids of the moderately cold temperature zone. During the leafless stage, they look like withered, abandoned plants, but when the dormant phase ends, these orchids are again covered in lush greenery. Other species of the genus such as Dendrobium noble or Dendrobium bukeshotsvetny may also shed their foliage if the resting phase is well defined, but this usually does not happen.

The remaining species of this genus are evergreen and belong to the moderately warm temperature zone. There are such significant differences in the cultivation of orchids of the genus Dendrobium that this genus can be divided into about 15 groups. A large number of very peculiar, bizarre species have been added to the number of cultivated orchids, which are often quite easy to care for. For growing on the windowsill, orchid hybrids are becoming increasingly important. Dendrobium phalaenopsis and Dendrobium noble.

Homeland: Sri Lanka, India, Southern China, Southern Japan, Polynesian Islands, Eastern Australia and Northeastern Tasmania.

Features of growing dendrobium

Temperature: Dendrobium is thermophilic, in winter the optimum temperature is about 22-25 ° C, the night minimum is 15 ° C. In winter, the dormant period when kept in cool conditions is about 12 ° C, depending on the type of plant.

Lighting: Dendrobiums are photophilous, east and west windows are suitable for them, shading will be needed on the south window in the hottest hours of the day.

Watering: Abundant during growth in spring and summer, the soil must be moist at all times. In winter, watering is very limited, i.e. practically dry content.

Fertilizer: During the period of growth, budding and flowering, they are fed with special fertilizer for orchids.

Air humidity: Dendrobium requires an air humidity of about 60% or higher, so it is better to place it on a tray with water or wet pebbles.

Transfer: Transplantation is carried out only when the roots of the orchid begin to crawl out of the pot and the plant slows down growth. Approximately the dendrobium is transplanted after 3-4 years, the pot should not be too large, otherwise the plant will not grow well. The soil is a special purchased mixture for orchids. You can cook it yourself - for this, riding peat and large pieces of pine bark are taken.

Reproduction: Division and air layering.

Pests, diseases: Scale insects and pemphigus, in some species also spider mites - if the air is too dry. With accumulating dampness, fungal attack is possible.

Growing and caring for dendrobium

Depending on their ecology, Dendrobiums are cultivated in rooms with moderate (18–22 ° C) or cool temperatures in baskets, on blocks of cork oak bark or tree fern roots. The substrate for their cultivation is pine bark, rotted leaves, charcoal and sand (1: 1: 1: 0.5).

Deciduous Dendrobiums, originating from areas with a monsoonal climate, have a pronounced dormant period. In spring and summer they are kept in a warm (22–24) wet regime, preferably in a greenhouse. After the stems ripen, watering is reduced, and in winter it is completely stopped, limited only to occasional spraying and maintaining the temperature at least 15–17 degrees. Dendrobium phalaenopsis, since it does not have a dormant period and comes from tropical rainforests, it needs to be kept evenly warm and humid all year round. In general, the plants are photophilous, however, in the hot midday hours they need a slight darkening. They grow best in a small container.

Propagated by dividing the bush, stem cuttings and apical shoots - babies that form aerial roots. The bushes should be divided no more than every 3-4 years, while the apical shoots can be removed annually. Transplantation and reproduction is carried out in April-June, depending on the species, when young shoots begin to grow.

Dendrobiums are light-loving plants, prefer fresh air, but do not tolerate drafts. They bloom profusely, on average for 12-19 days. In the cut, the flowers of some species remain fresh for 4-6 days (in the Phalaenopsis dendrobium - up to 3 weeks).

Feed during the period of intensive growth 2 times a month with a 0.01% solution of a complete mineral fertilizer.

After the end of growth, deciduous species enter a dormant period and need a cool and dry content. Species without a clearly defined dormant period, such as D. moschatum, require minimal watering when growth processes are attenuated. Tropical species (D. phalaenopsis, D. chrisotoxum) require watering at any time of the year, and the minimum temperature in winter should not be lower than 15 °C. During dormancy in the greenhouse, a certain air humidity should be maintained at all times, the plants should be sprayed periodically to avoid excessive exhaustion and wrinkling of the tuberidia.

All types of orchids of the Dendrobium genus need a small container. Many species are also suitable for breeding on blocks. Tall plants need to be sprayed more often to prevent pest infestation. Some types of Dendrobium, for example, phalaenopsis, are prone to the formation of "babies", with which these species are easy to propagate.

Dendrobium noble(Dendrobium nobile), as well as other species and hybrids that drop foliage, should be placed in a cool (10-14 ° C) and dry place during the dark season (from November to January). Once the buds are clearly visible, return the plant to its original location.

dendrobium kinga(Dendrobium kingianum), Dendrobium splendid(Dendrobium speciosum) and their relatives in summer, like orchids of the genus Cymbidium, can be placed outdoors, in a bright but not sunny place. If you do not have such an opportunity, pay special attention to the fact that in winter the plant is in a cool and dry place.

Dendrobium phalaenopsis(Dendrobium phalaenopsis), as well as related species and hybrids, it is enough to place in a warm place and make sure that the temperature drops at night, as required by plants of these species.

Advice: When buying a plant of the Dendrobium genus, you should definitely find out which temperature zone your orchid belongs to, because due to the wide variety of Dendrobium species, it is impossible to give general advice on caring for the plant.

Dendrobium (Dendrobium). © Juni from Kyoto, Japan

Types of dendrobium

Dendrobium aloifolium (Dendrobium aloifolium)

An epiphyte distributed in Southeast Asia and Indonesia. Thin shoots are densely covered with unusual triangular leaves, more like succulent leaves. Short peduncles develop from the buds of the upper internodes of the shoot, which are devoid of green leaves. The flowers are numerous (at least 10-12) and very small, only 0.2-0.4 cm in diameter. All parts of the flowers are greenish-white. Blooms in summer and autumn, from July to October.

Leafless Dendrobium (Dendrobium aphyllum)

Epiphytic or lithophytic species, widely distributed in Southeast Asia. Pseudobulbs are long, semi-drooping, many-leaved. Short peduncles develop at the nodes that shed the leaves of last year's shoots and carry one to three pale pink flowers with a creamy fringed lip. Each flower in diameter reaches 3-5 cm. The main peak of flowering occurs in February-May, however, flowering specimens in culture can be found almost all year round.

Epiphytic orchid, widely distributed in Southeast Asia. Pseudo bulbs up to 60-90 cm long, many-leaved. The short peduncles develop one to four flowers, 6 to 10 cm in diameter, which are densely textured and may even stand in the cut for a while. Flowers of various shades - from dark purple and rich pink to pure white. The lip has a large dark purple spot. In culture, it blooms more often from January to May.

Dendrobium two-humped (Dendrobium bigibbum)

An epiphytic or lithophytic plant from Northern Australia. Pseudobulbs bear fleshy leaves at the end. Peduncles appear from the buds of the upper internodes, and both young shoots of the last year's growth and old leafless pseudobulbs can bloom at the same time. Each peduncle bears 8-20 bright flowers 3-5 cm in diameter, purple-crimson or purple-pink, sometimes white. Blooms from August to December.

Dendrobium single (Dendrobium unicum)

The birthplace of this miniature epiphytic and lithophytic dendrobium is Northern Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. The plant is deciduous, and in a leafless state is most of the year. Lateral one-three-flowered inflorescences usually appear on internodes that have shed their leaves. The flowers are turned lip up, bright orange, 3.5-5.0 cm in diameter. The lip is pale yellow. Blooms from January to June.

Dendrobium Christie (Dendrobium christyanum)

The miniature epiphyte is native to northern Thailand, Vietnam, and southwest China. Pseudobulbs consist of 2-7 internodes, each of which bears one leaf. Inflorescences single-flowered, very short, appear at the top of the shoots. Flower up to 5 cm in diameter, white or creamy, translucent. The lip is three-lobed, with a red-orange or orange-yellow central part. Blooms from mid-summer to mid-autumn.

Epiphytic species, widespread in Southeast Asia (India, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and southwestern China). Pseudobulbs are univalent, densely covered with translucent scaly leaves on the outside. Inflorescences are lateral, drooping, bearing 10-14 pale yellow or golden yellow flowers 2.5-5.0 cm in diameter with a wide open lip provided with a large orange-yellow spot in the center. Blooms from March to July.

Dendrobium lindley (Dendrobium lindleyi). © KENPEI

Dendrobium loddiges (Dendrobium loddigesii)

Homeland - Laos, Vietnam, southwestern China, Hong Kong. This is a small epiphytic orchid (10-18 cm) with multi-leaved thin pseudobulbs and large bright flowers 5 cm in diameter. Inflorescences are one-two-flowered, usually appear in spring on shoots shed leaves. The flowers have pinkish-purple sepals, purple petals, and a pink-purple lip with a large yellow-orange spot in the center. Flowering lasts from February to June.

Dendrobium lion (Dendrobium leonis)

Homeland - Cambodia, Laos, Malaya, Thailand, Vietnam, Sumatra and Kalimantan. A small (10-25 cm) orchid with thin shoots and completely covering them with fleshy flattened triangular leaves from 3.8 to 5 cm long. The inflorescences develop at the nodes of the apical internodes that have shed their leaves. Each peduncle bears one or two creamy yellow or pale green nondescript flowers 1.5-2.0 cm in diameter. It mainly blooms in summer and autumn.

Epiphyte, widespread in Southeast Asia. In nature, its shoots can reach enormous sizes - up to 3 m, and in culture - 30-90 cm. Short peduncles appear on shoots that have shed their leaves and develop 1-2 large bright flowers. Flowers with a diameter of 7-10 cm, painted in purple tones of various shades. Flowering plants of this species in the greenhouse can be found all year round, while the peak of flowering is observed from January to April

Dendrobium primulinum (Dendrobium primulinum)

The species is widely distributed in Southeast Asia. Epiphytic plant with long multi-leaved shoots. One-two-flowered inflorescences develop from buds that have dropped leaves from internodes. The flowers are 4-8 cm in diameter, light purple with a large yellowish-white fringed lip, which is painted inside the pharynx with parallel dark red or purple stripes. In nature, it blooms in spring, in a culture - from January to August.

Orchids are considered one of the most beautiful representatives of the plant kingdom. For a long time, flower growers have learned to grow both ordinary and rare specimens in their apartments, such as, for example, dendrobium (orchid). Home care for these exotic pets has its own characteristics. This family is one of the richest in its species. Its representatives can be seen almost anywhere in the world. It can be rainy tropical forests, and savannahs or steppes, and hot lowlands and cold mountainous areas at an altitude of up to five thousand meters.

However, the greatest variety of subspecies of this Yatryshnikov family can be observed in the tropics or subtropics of East Asia and South or Central America. It is these areas that are home to most varieties, including such as the dendrobium (orchid). Home care for this beauty, according to many, is almost impossible. But this is not so: its cultivation today is not difficult, moreover, subject to all the required conditions, it pleases its owners with stunning flowers.

Story

These beautiful plants have been admired since ancient China. Three centuries before the birth of Christ, the Greek Theophrastus gave them the name “orchis” or “testicles”. This is due to the paired thickened root tubers of the European orchis. Later this name was transferred to the whole family as a whole.

In 1731, the very first tropical orchid bloomed in Europe, which was brought from the Bahamas by a missionary. However, it took almost a hundred years before the craze for these exotic plants began.

At the beginning of the nineteenth century in England, orchids began to be used as packaging material for some other tropical flowers. One day, gardener and plant importer William Catley became interested in outlandish parts of them. He put them in a pot, and soon he had an amazing plant with huge lush flowers. This flower, in honor of the man who discovered the orchid in Europe, was named after him - Cattleya.

After that, many horticultural farms sent real “orchid hunters” to the tropical regions of Asia and America. They discovered and collected many new species of these precious flowers, including the dendrobium orchid. Caring for her, judging by the reviews, only at first seems difficult to many.

For a long time, these exotic plants in Europe were sold at a price inaccessible to ordinary people. The cost of some copies even reached twelve thousand German marks.

And only when gardeners managed to learn more about them, including such a representative as the dendrobium orchid, a photo, the care of which and many features of growing today are already in almost every gardening magazine, the trade in these exotic flowers moved to a more reasonable price level. .

Epiphytes

Today, many wild-growing varieties are known, including the dendrobium, an orchid that many consider easy to care for at home, and more than a hundred varieties obtained by crossing so-called hybrids. And today, breeders are discovering new species. In the early eighties of the last century, unknown species of the venus slipper were discovered in China, having large flowers of a very bright color.

Today, all wild-growing representatives, including the dendrobium, the care of which is not difficult, are on the list of plants protected by law. Most of them in the conditions of natural growth are epiphytes. They settle on other plants, live in the crowns of many trees. The reason for choosing such a peculiar place is the fact that orchids receive more light on the crowns than living on shady soils in a tropical forest.

dendrobium

An orchid, home care for which is no longer a problem today, is sold in every flower shop. This beautiful plant fascinates with its appearance, it brings joy and a sense of celebration to your home. Of course, many do not risk buying this exotic inhabitant of the tropics, and their price is somewhat high compared to most indoor plants, but those who have it do not have to regret the time spent on it.

Dendrobium is an orchid, home care for which, despite the existing nuances, even a novice grower can do, belongs to the genus of herbaceous perennials. From Greek, the name of this plant is translated as "living on a tree." This is further evidence that it has an epiphytic mode of existence.

However, there are also such dendrobium flowers, the care of which is somewhat different from the usual ones. These are lithophytes that live on rocks. In nature, both varieties are found in Japan and the Philippines, Australia and China, New Zealand, New Guinea, etc. The species has about one thousand two hundred varieties, which sometimes differ greatly not only in the shape and color of flowers or leaves, but and the timing of flowering, the manner in which the buds are arranged on the stem, and many others.

Peculiarities

The existing rich diversity of species does not allow us to talk about the general requirements for all varieties of the Dendrobium orchid. Caring for each takes into account certain whims of the subspecies, and some of its features. But there are some general information that amateur growers should be aware of when buying this beauty in a flower shop. This circumstance must be taken into account when bringing dendrobium into the house. Care and breeding of any variety is a constant and laborious process. But you should not be afraid.

It’s just that cultivation must be carried out according to all the agrotechnical rules required by experts for such a flower as dendrobium. At the same time, care for all subspecies requires compliance with two strict conditions: the absence of drafts and direct sunlight.

Description

This genus owes its name to the Swedish botanist Olaf Schwartz, who in 1799 combined the Greek words "dendron" and "bios" and received "dendrobium" - "living on a tree", thereby emphasizing the epiphytic features of the existence of this orchid.

They are deciduous or evergreen plants with sympodial branching. Their jointed shoots with different lengths can be smooth, ribbed or cylindrical. The leaves of many species are narrow-lanceolate and oblong, sometimes elliptical or ovate. Often they grow along the entire stem length of the stem, and sometimes only on the upper "floor".

In some, they are quite dense, somewhat similar to succulents. There are varieties (such as dendrobium nobile), the care of which requires certain knowledge. This variety is distinguished by the fact that the plant produces erect brushes containing up to three flowers. The pseudobulb carries them along almost the entire carpal length, forming a bright cascade.

Varieties

This most extensive genus in the orchid family has become widespread today among a large army of indoor floriculture lovers. Most of the beautiful and popular representatives, such as the noble dendrobium, the care of which requires knowledge of some of its features, can grow and bloom well indoors. Of course, a greenhouse for this guest from distant subtropics is just an ideal place for a normal existence, but not everyone has it.

Currently, in industrial cultivation and in the flower trade, such hybrids as bigibbum, phalenosepsis, parisha or dendrobium nobile are best represented - an orchid, the care of which requires the right choice of substrate and the presence of an eastern window. The latter is most common among flower growers.

Over the past few years, in the apartments of Russians, such species as the dendrobium of King, D. Lindley or the dendrobium of the star class have become more common.

Care

Growing seasons, recommended temperatures, top dressings, and need for a dormant period vary greatly from species to species. This is due to the variety of climatic conditions in the places of natural growth of each particular species. Some dendrobiums grow in the tropics, where during the warm season there is an abundance of heavy rains, and in subsequent seasons, lower temperatures and drought are established. Other species came to us from those regions where the same temperature is always kept. And it is precisely because of such a variety of existing natural conditions that each culture requires an individual approach. Care after flowering requires the closest attention. Dendrobium during this period requires a transplant, as well as other measures, as it is weakened and exhausted.

The soil

For planting dendrobium orchids, the care of which requires certain knowledge, experts usually use the usual epiphytic substrate. Small plants can be kept, for example, on a piece of pine bark or in pieces of coal, or in a mixture made from these two components with the addition of stumps of branches, sphagnum, or fern roots.

During the growth period, dendrobiums are watered more often, and in hot and dry weather - several times a day. To reduce the moisture supply, you can add a little chopped moss or pieces of coconut bark to the substrate. In this case, the particle sizes are selected taking into account the conditions of the plant. For example, in a warm and humid room, coarse substrates are used.

Lighting

All types of dendrobium are photophilous. They prefer bright, diffused light. In the hot summer season, plants must be shaded, avoiding places where direct sunlight can fall on them, leading to burns. This type of orchid needs maximum lighting only from the end of August and all autumn, when new shoots begin to ripen in it. During the winter months, it is desirable to provide the plant with additional illumination for up to four to six hours during the day.

Temperature regime

Different types of dendrobiums vary greatly in their requirements. And, in particular, this concerns the temperature conditions for their normal growth. If the plant breeder does not know for sure the name of the pet, then he is advised to carefully monitor the condition of the orchid in order to understand what conditions are best for it. In this case, you can follow the general rules.

In general, during their growth period, almost all dendrobiums prefer fairly high temperatures. During the day, this figure can range from twenty to twenty-five, and at night - from eighteen to twenty degrees. After the growth period is over, this plant needs to be provided with relatively cool conditions. The night temperature in the room should not rise above fifteen degrees.

Some varieties, such as Dendrobium Nobile, which are somewhat different from the rest, need a cooler environment for abundant flowering.

Watering

During the growth period, these orchids need to be watered abundantly, but at the same time, water should not be allowed to stagnate in the pot. The substrate must be completely dry. During the dormant period, they just need moderate watering. This is especially true for varieties that leave leaves. For species that shed them completely, dry content is recommended.

Water for irrigation should be soft, room temperature or even a few degrees more. During the active growing season, the dendrobium should be fed with a liquid complex fertilizer specially designed for orchids. The procedure should be carried out twice a month, no more.

Humidity

These members of the Yatryshnikov family prefer a high water content in indoor air. Humidity in the room should be between forty and sixty percent. Therefore, in warm seasons, they need to be sprayed daily, however, while preventing water from entering the leaf axils. In winter, humidity can be increased by placing the pot on a pallet of expanded clay so that the bottom does not get wet.

Transfer

All orchids, including the dendrobium phalaenopsis, the care of which also categorically denies the presence of drafts, are difficult to transplant, so it should be done only if necessary: ​​when the pot plant becomes too small. The best time for this is the end of February or the beginning of March. At this time, orchids are preparing for active growth. When transplanting, you need to ensure good drainage.

Bloom

Each type of dendrobium has its own time for blooming buds. As a rule, the flowering period lasts approximately eight to twelve weeks. The differences in day and night temperatures, the gap between which should be at least seven degrees, have a good effect on preparing the plant for this crucial stage.

To achieve flowering, some growers go to the following tricks: they do not water their orchid until a new sprout appears on it. But as soon as it stretches up to two or three centimeters, taking out its own roots, they begin to supply moisture again. And they do this until the new growth catches up with the old bulbs. At this time, watering is reduced to a complete cessation. At the same time, they lower the temperature to twelve degrees. This is not difficult, since the dendrobium, which is not very difficult to care for at home, blooms in winter. Watering is restored only after the opening of the buds that have appeared.

Care after flowering

This period in the life of the plant is very important. When it fades, watering gradually stops. Many orchids, including the dendrobium nobile, whose care after flowering consists in the immediate removal of the peduncle and the transfer of the pot to a cooler place, fall into a state of rest, in order to then again prepare for the blooming of the buds. The difference between winters in Russian latitudes and tropical ones often leads to the fact that on the dark windowsills of our apartments, the dendrobium, falling into hibernation, simply stops growing and freezes. This, of course, is not fatal, but this still should not be allowed.

In the winter months, when it dawns late and darkens early, which is unusual for a dendrobium, you can use a phytolamp and artificially illuminate the plant with it. The reason is that under natural conditions for this type of orchid there is no dormant period. The plant is always in active phases: either it takes root, then leaves or flower stalks. If the orchid still fell asleep, then it is better not to touch it and let it sleep: stop watering it and remove it away from the heat source. Actually, this is the care for her after flowering.

Dendrobium, home care for which must be carried out taking into account the characteristics of this flower, propagates in two types: dividing the bush and cuttings. In the first and second cases, the procedure is performed only after flowering.

Growth phases and care: the bulb gave a baby, this baby grows, when it gives roots and they grow 3-4 cm, we start accurate watering along the edge of the pot, when the roots enter the substrate, we start feeding with nitrogen fertilizers. At this time, you can keep the temperature at 22-25 degrees, the humidity is medium-high, as for all orchs, the light is bright diffused (possible with the morning sun). Growth has grown by 2/3 of the mother bulb, we begin to feed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Growth has grown (this can be seen from the top of the bulb, leaves no longer grow from it, or the last leaf can grow vertically from the very top). We put the plant in a cool place, the temperature can drop to 3 degrees, but the optimum is 8-10 degrees, do not water AT ALL! After a few months of rest, flower buds will appear along the entire height of the bulb. Here the most important thing is not to break into watering! Do not change the terms! When the buds develop and the buds are already formed, then you can start to slowly water the plant. If you start watering before the formed buds, then the flower buds can easily be reborn into vegetative ones.

In the period from mid-May until the moment when the night temperature drops to 5-8 ° C, it is strongly recommended to find this type of orchid outdoors: on a balcony or in a garden, since it is here that a decrease in night temperatures occurs naturally, which in in turn, is one of the factors that stimulate the flowering of orchids. The place should be chosen protected from rains, strong winds and direct sunlight. Long-term practice shows that such plants grow more developed and bloom much more abundantly.

Then the children went - we water and can be transplanted when the children grow up, like a mother, then they will bloom, about half a year, when they noticed the buds - in coolness and almost do not water until the flowers bloom

I do not water before flowering until the first flowers are already pecking!

One of the features of Dendrobium nobile is that during the "Indian summer", in the fall, new young sprouts (re-vegetation) or babies may suddenly appear. Despite this, the dormant period for the orchid is still done. During it, all growth processes are "frozen", and at the end they continue their development further.

A dry period is required during winter and spring (if the pseudobulbs begin to shrivel, spraying can be used, but only if the room temperature is higher than +18), until new growths appear. At this stage, you need to start watering and top dressing, and do it regularly. If you start watering too early, at the time of the formation of flower buds, then instead of flowers, apical aerial new growths with roots may form, which can be used later for propagation.

when the bulb grows completely before the growth point closes, then in the cold and do not water

For the formation of flower buds on bulbs, it is necessary that the difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures be at least 3-4 degrees - this is the basic rule. In November, we place our dendrobium in non-dendrobium conditions: the temperature should be 10-14 C no more and no watering. The peculiarity of the flower buds of this dendrobium is that if you water or increase the temperature, then the flower buds will be reborn into children and flowering will not happen. If the plant becomes especially sorry and the bulbs are especially wrinkled, then sprinkle lightly and put on the bag.

On average, 2 months pass from bud swelling to flowering. If everything is done correctly, then buds-tubercles are first formed from the kidney, then they are transformed into flowers.

When the flowers have blossomed, you should resume watering.

during the dormant period they don’t water and keep cool, I know for sure, otherwise there will be new growth instead of flowers, you can’t water until the buds are colored ... watering only in the active growth phase, as the children grow up to the parent, watering is sharply reduced and we wait

Dendrobium is a numerous genus of herbaceous epiphytic orchids. The name is derived from the Greek roots "dendron" - tree and "bios" - life, translated as "living on a tree." The genus was named and described in 1799 by Peter Olof Schwartz. There are about 1200 species of the genus growing in the tropical forests of South Asia, Australia, Polynesia.

Botanical description

Dendrobiums are orchids with a sympodial type of growth. Shoots - pseudobulbs form sprouts at the base with the help of a rhizome - a rhizome.

The roots are branched, covered with whitish velamen.

The shoots are cylindrical in shape, smooth or ribbed in different species, often thickened.

The size of the shoots, depending on the species, varies from 2 cm to 5 m in length.

The leaves are elongated, elliptical or lanceolate in shape, membranous bases clasp the shoot along the entire length or are concentrated at its top. Species with pronounced seasonal growth may be deciduous.

Dendrobium inflorescences are brushes from 2-3 to many flowers, appear on the sides of the shoot or hang from the top. Flowers are diverse in color and size, fragrant in some species. The lower sepal - the lip of all dendrobiums is folded into a tube around the column.

Geography of growth

The distribution area of ​​dendrobiums is the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, starting from the Himalayas, as well as Indonesia, Oceania, Australia, New Zealand.

Some species are found on the South American continent. Most dendrobiums are epiphytes, some are lithophytes.

Dendrobiums are protected by law, the export of orchids from nature is prohibited by the international convention CITES.

plant structure

The structure of the dendrobium is of practical interest for its reproduction.

Dendrobium is a sympodial orchid. This means that an adult plant consists of several stems bearing leaves and flowers. Mature stems in some species shed their leaves.

Dendrobium stems are pseudobulbs - organs that store water and nutrients.

A bud awakens at the base of the pseudobulb, from which a new shoot sprouts, leaves form on it, and roots form in the lower part.

The initial pseudobulb subsequently becomes a posterior storage organ. Subsequent ones, as they mature, also become storage facilities and produce young shoots. Such successive links form a branched colony.

The stem of the dendrobium consists of segments separated by leaf sheaths. The leaves on the stem grow only once, if due to drought or other reasons they have fallen off, new ones will not appear. In places where the leaves are attached, flower buds are formed, and sometimes aerial roots or baby shoots are formed. In some species, such as Phalaenopsis Dendrobium, flower clusters form from the top of the shoot.

Species and varieties

The following species are suitable for growing orchids in the house: noble dendrobium (D. nobile), dendrobium moniliforme, dendrobium phalaenopsis, King's dendrobium, Lindley's dendrobium, Parish's dendrobium. On sale you can find hybrids bred with the participation of the noble dendrobium and the phalaenopsis dendrobium. Natural species are more often found in the collections of botanical gardens or amateur orchidists.

Hybrids and varieties

The most widespread varieties and hybrids of Dendrobium noble and Dendrobium phalaenopsis.

Dendrobium Yamamoto

A line of tetraploid hybrids based on Dendrobium nobilis. They are distinguished by compact erect stems, 40-50 cm tall, densely strewn with bright flowers during the flowering period. Yamamoto hybrids are easy to grow and grow well indoors. Popular groups of varieties Himezakura, Fancy Angel (pictured below), Spring Dream, New Century, Red Emperor, Yellow Song and others.

Dendrobium Stardust

Dendrobium Stardust (Stardust) - a popular hybrid involving dendrobium unique and moniliform. It has thin stems up to 50 cm tall, narrow leaves. Peduncles germinate in the internodes of the stems, contain 1-5 yellow or orange flowers 6 cm in size, lip with brown veins. Flowering is plentiful. The photo below is a representative of this hybrid.

Dendrobium phalaenopsis

Popular hybrid varieties of dendrobium phalaenopsis:

• Anna Green with yellow-green petals and a contrasting crimson lip (pictured below);
• maroon with a brown tint Black Beauty,
• white-flowered varieties Bon White, Big White and Snow White;
• greenish-yellow Jade Green and Lemon Green.

Photos of different varieties

new century

Yellow Song

Bon White

Jade Green

Planting and reproduction at home

There are several ways of reproduction of this species, below we will consider the main ones.

Reproduction by children

Dendrobium babies are aerial shoots growing on the trunk from vegetative buds in the axils of the leaves. Shoots from the bottom of the plant are not children.

• Children can be separated when the shoot forms the first leaves, and the length of the roots reaches 5 cm.
• They are placed in pots with a sterilized substrate or a small fraction of the bark mixed with sphagnum, moisten the substrate
• . Contain at 22-25 ° C. Before rooting, the children are watered moderately, spraying is preferable.
• When the baby is actively growing, it can be watered like an adult plant.

Reproduction by seeds

Seed propagation of dendrobium requires special knowledge and skills. Dust-like seeds are sown on a sterile nutrient medium in glass flasks and grown in the laboratory.

Propagation of dendrobium by cuttings

• Deciduous species are propagated by stem cuttings.
• Pseudobulbs are cut from the mother plant and divided into segments with 2-3 internodes.
• The cuttings are placed in a plastic bag with wet sphagnum moss and kept until the roots appear.
• After that, the cuttings are planted in the substrate and looked after like children, carefully watering. After a while, young sprouts appear.

The division of the bush

A simple and affordable way. A link of three components: a posterior pseudobulb - a mature pseudobulb with leaves - a young bud (growth) is used to propagate the dendrobium. You can take part of the bush with more than three shoots.

To do this, we take the dendrobium out of the pot, find a suitable link, carefully cut the rhizome - the rhizome and carefully separate it. Sprinkle the cut with charcoal. We try not to damage the roots and stems. The part planted in a separate pot is dried a little, then we water it like an adult plant.

Orchid Care

Dendrobium orchid care includes compliance with the life requirements of the plant: light, temperature, watering, air humidity, a suitable substrate. In addition, care involves observing the seasonal rhythms of vegetation inherent in the orchid in nature. The conditions of detention are determined by the stage of development of the orchid and have a seasonal cycle that mimics natural conditions.

Temperature

There are several conditional temperature groups of dendrobiums:

Types of temperate temperature zone, which requires a night temperature of about 10°C. Dendrobium nobile belongs to this group. .

Kinds temperate-warm zone, requiring night temperatures around 15°C;

Types of warm zone in need of temperature 15°-18°C at night. Dendrobium phalaenopsis belongs to this group.

If you do not know what type of dendrobium you have acquired, observe the plant's reaction to different temperature regimes. Most species and hybrids grow well at 20-25°C. At rest, night temperatures are reduced to 12–15 ° C. Hybrids are more tolerant of room conditions.

Humidity

The air humidity suitable for dendrobiums is from 40 to 60%. In summer, plants need to be sprayed. It is better if the orchid is outdoors - on a loggia or in a garden, in the shade of trees.

Important! Water should not stagnate in the axils of the leaves.

The growing dendrobium is watered abundantly, without bringing the soil to complete drying. Watering frequency is about twice a week. At rest, the soil should dry out completely between waterings. Irrigation water is taken settled or filtered, at room temperature.

In winter, many species are dormant and do without additional measures to increase humidity. Vegetatives can humidify the air by placing containers with moistened moss or expanded clay.

Place

Dendrobiums are photophilous plants. The best for them will be bright diffused light.

Assume sunlight in the morning and evening. The midday sun burns the leaves and stems, so the orchid should be shaded in spring and summer.

In the autumn-winter period, the dendrobium is placed as close as possible to the window. For plants that bloom in winter, southeast, south, southwest windows are suitable. Eastern and Western - the best option for most hybrids. Nordic windows are completely unsuitable; the plant will need artificial lighting.

The location of the orchid should provide at least a slight difference in day and night temperatures.

Priming

Dendrobiums are epiphytes, so ordinary earth and peat soils are not applicable to them. Get a special soil for orchids, they are sold in stores.

You can make a substrate for the dendrobium yourself. Substrate components:

• boiled pine bark, pieces 0.5-1.5 cm in size;
• chopped sphagnum moss;
• charcoal.

Some hobbyists add chopped fern roots to the substrate.

Small types of dendrobium grow well on blocks of pine bark. To plant an orchid on a block, the roots are wrapped in moss and tied to a bark plate. Orchids on blocks need frequent spraying and high humidity. It is easier to keep them in a winter garden or in a glass florarium.

Care during flowering

Put the blooming dendrobium in a bright, cool place so that flowering lasts longer.

Do not rearrange the plant unnecessarily and do not turn the pot, otherwise the buds may fall off.

In winter, do not spray flowering dendrobium, this should only be done in the summer heat. When spraying the plant, make sure that the drops do not linger on the flowers - the delicate petals will get burned in the sun.

On a note! You can increase the humidity on the windowsill in winter locally. Place the orchid planter in a tray filled with damp expanded clay or sphagnum moss so that the water does not wet the pot. Ultrasonic humidifiers are also suitable.

Watering

Watering the dendrobium depends on the phase of plant development. During the growing season, the plant is provided with abundant watering. The substrate between waterings should dry out and be ventilated.

Water the dendrobium by briefly immersing the roots of the orchid in a container with soft, settled water. The whole plant does not need to be submerged in water. Then the pot is put out to dry so that the water is completely glass, and only then can the dendrobium be returned to its permanent place.

Water after watering must be drained from the pan after half an hour.

Carefully! Do not soak the plant for a long time! Excess water is contraindicated for dendrobium.

During the growth period, it is useful to periodically wash the plant under a warm shower. To prevent salinization of the substrate, it is also washed in the shower for several minutes, then spilled with several liters of filtered water.

With the end of growth and the maturation of young shoots, the frequency of watering is reduced. Heavy watering at this stage may cause budding instead of flowering. When flower buds appear, watering resumes.

Transfer

Dendrobiums are sensitive to transplantation, the roots of the orchid are very fragile. The plant should not be repotted during flowering.

For transplantation, select a dormant period or the beginning of the growing season - the awakening of growth buds.

The size of the pot is selected in proportion to the volume of the root system, 1-2 cm more than the root ball.

For dendrobiums, translucent and opaque plastic, as well as ceramic pots are suitable. In transparent pots for orchids, overheating of the substrate is possible.

Top dressing and fertilizer

dendrobiums fed only during the growing season- flowering and the subsequent growth cycle. The optimal feeding frequency is once every two weeks.

Fertilizer for orchids is dissolved in irrigation water, into which the plant pot is immersed. The first and last top dressing is given to the plant in a dose reduced by half.

Care after flowering

The faded dendrobium is provided with a dormant period, after which a new growth cycle will begin.

For species dendrobiums, the duration of the dormant period is best specified in the specialized literature. Most likely, you are the happy owner of a hybrid adapted to room conditions.

• Stop feeding the dendrobium with fertilizers.
• Watering the plant is gradually reduced.
• Increase the intervals between waterings, gradually bringing them to the drying of the substrate.
• The plant is placed in a cool place where it is possible to ensure the difference between day and night temperatures - a loggia, a summer veranda. In an ordinary apartment, you can take advantage of periods of turning off central heating - April-May or September-October.
• When you see buds sprouting at the root collar, gradually increase the watering of the plant.

pruning

During flowering, the dendrobium should not be disturbed by pruning. Wait for the end of flowering.

Even if you are a perfectionist, do not rush to cut off faded leafless stems.

We remember that they stocked up on nutrients to ensure the growth of young shoots.

Stems are subject to pruning in two cases:

• strongly wrinkled, yellowed and dried stems - they have exhausted their resource and take away living space from young shoots.
• Obviously rotting, damaged pseudobulbs - to prevent the spread of infection to the remaining bush.

Diseases and pests

Dendrobiums get sick with a fungal infection with improper care.

The disease is caused by cold drafts, overheating, waterlogging of the soil, especially during the dormant period.

Try to save the plant. Take the orchid out of the pot, cut off all the rotten parts, sprinkle the rest with charcoal powder or pickle with fungicides Fundazol, Maxim. Plant the orchid in a fresh substrate. Next, the plant must be dried for 7-10 days.

The orchid can suffer from pest attacks. Most often, orchids in a room are attacked by a spider mite, mealybug or aphid scale insect.

Weekly showers and rinsing the plants will keep the spider mite from spreading. In case of severe infection, apply solutions of Fitoverm or Actellik preparations.

Disease prevention

Orchid diseases are a consequence of a violation of living conditions. Prevention of diseases consists in observing the basic requirements of the content:

• Do not allow moisture to stagnate in the pot.
• Drying the substrate between waterings.
• Good ventilation.
• No drafts in winter.
• Sunburn relief.
• Pest quarantine. Do not place garden bouquets, fruits and vegetables, or newly acquired plants next to orchids.

Growing mistakes

• Non-observance of the rest period. The plant continues to grow, but after a while it is depleted. Often the orchid does not bloom or forms babies instead of flowering.
• Uneven watering during the growing season. Young shoots are bent, the leaves take the form of an "accordion". With a lack of moisture, shoots can stop growth.
• Too much watering causes acidification of the substrate and rotting of the roots.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Below we have prepared answers to frequently asked questions.

Why are the stems wrinkled? What am I doing wrong?

Wrinkling of stems is a natural process. Young shoots grow at the expense of the mother plant, they take food from it, and the pseudobulbs “lose weight”. Increased watering will not stop drying out, but on the contrary, it can provoke root rot. Shoots can also shrivel during dormancy. Watering should be increased only from the moment flower buds appear.

Leaves are falling, what should I do?

Partial leaf fall in dendrobium occurs after flowering, during dormancy. Usually the leaves dry out gradually, starting from the bottom of the stem.

Attention! Sudden yellowing and dropping of leaves all over the stem can signal root rot!

Dendrobium does not bloom, what is the reason?

Lack of incentive to bloom - a dormant period. Move the plant to a cooler place, reduce watering.

The reason may lie in the lack of lighting or, conversely, in an excessively hot location.

• Instead of flower stalks, babies grow on the stem. The plant needs rest after the end of growth: reduced watering and daily temperature fluctuations within 10 degrees.
• The shoot turned yellow or turned brown, is it not dangerous?

Old pseudobulbs that have lost their leaves usually remain green or yellowish. A sudden change in color is a sign of a fungal or bacterial infection.

Why are growing shoots thin or crooked?

The young stem gains thickness after maturation, becoming an adult. The curvature of the escape towards the window indicates a lack of light. Deformation of sprouts is also caused by changes in humidity and temperature during the growth period, rare and uneven watering.

orchid drops flowers

Check if your orchid is exposed to cold drafts from a window. A possible reason is overdrying during flowering.

Sticky droplets appeared on the leaves and stems, what is it?

This is normal. It is believed that in nature the plant attracts ants for its protection. However, check for scale insects or other chewing pests on the plant. Perhaps watering the plant should be reduced a little.

Useful video

Learn more about dendrobium orchids from the video below:

Dendrobium (Dendrobium) - unpretentious, beautifully flowering orchid. Epiphytic species with lanceolate leaves and large, showy flowers of a wide variety of colors. Despite the wide variety of species, they all have one thing in common - the tubular base of the flowers.

Depending on the species, the height of the plant can vary from 20-30 cm to 1 meter. The homeland of the dendrobium orchid is the tropical rainforests of Thailand, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

Also see how to grow orchids like this.

	Growth rate is high. Every year a new pseudobulb grows up to 70 cm.
	Blooms in summer with proper care.
	The plant is easy to grow. One of the easiest orchids to grow.
	It is a perennial plant.

Dendrobium: home care. Briefly

Dendrobium orchid at home requires strict adherence to the rules of care:

Dendrobium care at home. in detail

Caring for a dendrobium orchid at home cannot be called difficult, but still it has a number of features.

Blooming dendrobium orchids

Dendrobium blooms after a short dormant period. Peduncles appear only on 2-3 year old bulbs. The total duration of the flowering period is 2-3 weeks. The number of flowers directly depends on the temperature and light intensity during the dormant period.

After flowering, the old bulbs are not pruned. They should dry naturally. In this case, the nutrients accumulated in them will assimilate the remaining shoots.

New varieties of dendrobiums can bloom without a dormant period. The process of maturation and formation of bulbs continues in winter. The main thing is to provide the plant with the necessary lighting.

Temperature regime

Home orchid dendrobium develops well at normal room temperature. At the same time, it is desirable for her to provide a difference between day and night temperatures. The lower temperature at night contributes to the ripening of shoots and the laying of flower buds.

spraying

All modern varieties of dendrobiums are perfectly adapted to the usual level of humidity in residential premises. Therefore, spraying them, as a rule, is not required.

Lighting

The dendrobium orchid plant at home requires intense lighting. Varieties with dark-colored flowers are especially demanding on the level of illumination. In autumn and winter, southern windows are best suited for dendrobium.

For the summer, the plant must be rearranged to the east or west side.

Watering dendrobium orchids

Watering the dendrobium is carried out by immersion. To do this, the pot is placed in a cup of warm water for 15-20 minutes. Irrigation water must be defended or filtered before use. Once a month, watering is replaced with a warm shower.

The frequency of watering depends on the ambient temperature. In summer, the plant is watered much more often, in winter very rarely. If the orchid is kept in the cold, watering is completely stopped. In case of severe wrinkling of the bulb, it is simply sprayed with warm water. In general, the substrate in the pot should dry out completely between waterings.

Dendrobium orchid pot

For young orchids, choose small transparent pots made of plastic. To prevent the plants from turning over, several stones are placed at the bottom. For planting large, overgrown specimens, heavy, ceramic flowerpots are suitable.

Priming

Dendrobium orchid at home is grown on a substrate of bark and moss. The soil mixture is prepared at the rate of 1 part crushed moss to 1 part bark, plus a small amount of pieces of charcoal and peat. Before planting, the substrate must be shed with boiling water.

Top dressing and fertilizer

To feed the dendrobium, special fertilizers for orchids are used. They are applied in the form of solutions at every 3 or 4 waterings. If necessary, foliar sprays can also be used. Fertilizers are not applied during the dormant period.

Dendrobium orchid transplant

The transplantation of the dendrobium orchid is carried out after the peduncles have dried at the moment when the plant begins to grow intensively. The need for transplantation is determined by the state of the substrate. If it has decomposed, salted, or mold has appeared on its surface, the plant must be transplanted.

During transplantation, pay attention to the state of the root system. All rotten and blackened parts of the roots must be cut to healthy tissue. The resulting cuts must be sprinkled with charcoal powder or cinnamon. In some cases, after treating the roots, the plant may even need a smaller pot.

After transplanting, the plant is not watered for a week.

pruning

Dendrobium does not need special pruning. As necessary, completely dried stems and leaves are removed from the plant.

rest period

For the mass laying of flower buds, the plant needs a dormant period. To do this, after the end of growth, the dendrobium is transferred to dry conditions of detention at a night temperature not higher than + 15-18 °. In this case, the plant must be well lit. Under such conditions, the flower is kept for at least 1.5 months.

During this period, the dendrobium is not watered. To prevent wrinkling of the bulb, the shoots are sprayed 1-2 times a week with cool, pre-settled water.

Reproduction of the dendrobium orchid by dividing the bush

Strongly overgrown specimens of dendrobiums during transplantation can be divided into several parts. Each of them must have at least 3 well-developed, healthy bulbs. In some cases, it is allowed to leave a smaller number of shoots. But such plants, as a rule, take root much longer.

Sections formed after division must be dried and treated with coal powder or a weak solution of brilliant green. Delenki are planted in a substrate for adult plants. During the first week they are only sprayed. In the future, they are watered little by little and very carefully. The usual watering regime is resumed only when the plants begin to grow.

After 2-3 weeks from planting, they can be fed with special fertilizer for orchids.

Reproduction of the dendrobium orchid by cuttings

At home, cuttings can be used for propagation. They are cut from mature, but never flowering shoots. Faded pseudobulbs, on which dormant buds remain, are also suitable for reproduction. If the shoot is too long, it is cut into several pieces about 10 cm long. All resulting cuts must be processed. If the shoot is of small length, it is used entirely.

For rooting prepare packages with wet moss. Prepared cuttings are placed in them. After that, the packages are suspended in a well-lit, warm place. After a few weeks, babies begin to develop on the pseudobulbs. As soon as young plants form the rudiments of roots, they are carefully separated.

For planting children, small greenhouses with a substrate for adult plants are used. High humidity promotes accelerated root development. The disadvantage of this method of propagation is that the plants obtained in this way will bloom no earlier than in 3-4 years.

Reproduction of the dendrobium orchid by children

Children periodically form on the pseudobulbs of the dendrobium. They can be used for breeding. Children are separated after the rudiments of roots develop on them. On average, this takes about a year. Using a sharp knife, they are cut off with a small piece of the mother stem or separated with a twisting motion. The resulting sections must be dried for several hours, and then treated with a solution of brilliant green.

Children with well-developed roots are planted in small pots with the usual substrate for dendrobiums. The first few days they are not watered, but only sprayed. In the future, they do not need to create any special conditions, the usual care is quite enough. Such plants, when properly grown, can bloom the very next year.

Diseases and pests

Due to errors in care, the orchid can suffer from a number of diseases:

Of the pests most often dendrobium affects: spider mites, whiteflies, aphids, scale insects. To combat them, it is necessary to use special preparations of insecticides.

Types of orchid dendrobium home with photos and names

In indoor floriculture, the following types are most common:

Large epiphytic species. It is characterized by dense, jointed stems with constrictions in the region of internodes up to 70 cm high. Leaf plates are arranged in two rows. The total life span of the stems does not exceed 2 years. Peduncles short, appear on last year's shoots. They consist of 2-4 brightly colored flowers with a characteristic retracted lip.

A large species with lanceolate leaves located at the top of the fleshy shoots. The peduncle is curved, up to 60 cm long. The flowers are collected in large, drooping brushes. Their color varies from pale pink to deep crimson. In this case, the lip is always painted more intensely. With good care, the duration of the flowering period can reach up to six months. The species is grown as an industrial crop for high quality cut.

View with tetrahedral stems covered with membranous sheaths. The top of the shoots is crowned with 3-4 lanceolate leaves. Inflorescences consist of many flowers collected in large drooping brushes. The length of the brushes can reach up to 30 cm with the number of flowers over 50 pieces. The size of the flowers is about 5 cm in diameter, the color is bright yellow with an orange stripe along the edge of the lip.

In room culture, dendrobium hybrids derived from the species described above are also widely used:

Valued for its original red-orange coloration with brown streaks.

Dendrobium Dorrigo 'Wisteria'

It has interesting stems resembling a reed.

It was obtained by crossing D. formnsum and D. infundibulum.

Dendrobium Red Fair ‘Akebono’

A brightly colored hybrid with a contrasting lip.