Dendrobium loddigesii

Dendrobium loddigesii

Native to Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and southern China. This orchid is known for its cascading bright rose lilac petals and sepals, an orange lip and a pretty fringed labellum. D. loddigesii erupts into casading blooms in the spring.  Truly a sight to behold. 

To trigger blooming, it requires cool nights (50 to 60°F) and dry conditions, along with a suspension of fertilization during this period. Here outside in Florida, we generally start this process in November by moving them inside the greenhouse. Dendrobium loddigesii are tough and easy to grow. Great for beginners. Makes mounted clumps very quickly for us here in Florida. We grow under 40/50% shade. Sweet smelling long lasting blooms erupt from last years leaf-less canes. 

Dendrobium loddigessii can be grown under lights with enough humidity. We have seen people grow them quite well in terriums or glass cases. Even bloom very nicely if given cool dry period outside the terrium for winter. Starting November put it near a "cool" window. Water maybe only 4 times until you see blooms somewhere in late February/March. Then return to glass case. 

Blooming Size Plant: Yes  *Blooming size plants- This does not mean you will receive a plant in bud or bloom.

Remember if you buy bare root: you need to trim away dead roots, do not over water when you first plant, make sure the orchid does NOT move in the pot at all so they get established.  Plants may have leaf bruises or blemishes. This is part of buying a plant at this stage when it is so inexpensive. 

Dendrobiums are among the most commonly encountered orchids in the retail trade. Like most other cultivated orchids, dendrobiums are epiphytes, or air plants, with well-developed water-storage organs called pseudobulbs, often referred to as "canes" due to their upright, leafy appearance. Dendrobium aggregatum should be potted in porous, free-draining media.

Light

Sufficient light is crucial for healthy growth and flower production of dendrobium lindleyi. Provide bright light, up to 50 percent sun. In the home, place them in an east, west, or lightly shaded south window. In a greenhouse, provide about 30 to 50 percent of full sun. Under lights, use four 40-watt fluorescent tubes and two 40-watt incandescent bulbs directly over the plants. Dendrobium lindleyi should be naturally erect, with minimal staking, and display a medium olive-green color.

Temperature

Mature dendrobium orchids need a 15 to 20°F difference between night and day. Provide nights of 60 to 65°F and days of 80 to 90°F. Temperatures up to 95 to 100°F are beneficial if humidity and air circulation are increased. Low temperatures (below 50°F) may cause leaf drop.

Water

Keep dendrobium lindleyi evenly moist while in active growth. Allow them to dry between waterings once growth is mature, indicated by the presence of a terminal leaf.

Humidity

Dendrobium aggregatum need 50 to 60 percent humidity. In the home, place them on trays over moistened pebbles. In a greenhouse, use a humidifier if conditions are too dry.

Fertilizer

Fertilize regularly during the active growing period. The type of fertilizer you use will depend on the potting mix. A good general rule is to apply a balanced (10-10-10, 12-12-12, or similar ratio) fertilizer "weakly, weekly," meaning fertilize every week at one-quarter to one-half of the recommended dilution.

Potting

Repot dendrobiums every two to three years, before the potting mix breaks down. Pot them firmly in a medium that provides aeration and ample drainage, allowing enough room for two years' growth. Dendrobium lindleyi grow best in pots that are small for the size of the plant or mounted.