Recently, various types of orchids have become increasingly popular among gardeners. In amateur flower collections you can often find dendrobium nobile, since caring for it at home is not particularly difficult. Photos of different varieties of this orchid can be found on specialized resources.
general description
The orchid dendrobium nobile is an epiphyte by nature. Under natural conditions, it grows in bark cracks and on tree branches. Even translated from Greek, its name sounds like “growing on a tree.”
This type of orchid belongs to the so-called sympodial type, that is, they have the ability to form bushes due to new growth points on the roots. All varieties of dendrobium that can be found in specialized stores are hybrid forms from wild species. Breeders bred them in order to obtain plants that were more unpretentious and resistant to indoor conditions.
The average height of the shoots of this orchid varies within 50 cm. The leaves have an elongated shape and systematically fall off during the growth period. The large pseudobulbs of this orchid are capable of blooming in the second year of cultivation.
In this case, the main peduncles appear at the very top of the leafless pseudobulbs. If you care for the plant correctly, the entire trunk will be covered with them. Abundantly flowering specimens of dendrobium look very impressive. And the size of individual flowers can reach up to 9 cm. The flowering period of this species occurs at the beginning of spring, when the plant comes out of dormancy.
Attention! With poor care or a stressful situation, the orchid may miss the flowering period. But in most cases, when errors are eliminated, the next year the number of peduncles doubles, since the shoots of the missed year also bloom.
Care
Home care for the dendrobium nobile orchid has its own characteristics. To better understand this, you need to know that its development cycle can be divided into 4 periods of growth:
- growing season, at which time the plant begins to appear sprouts at the base of old pseudobulbs. They are usually called “babies” and are used for further reproduction;
- the period of growth of new pseudobulbs, at this time young orchid shoots reach the size of old pseudobulbs;
- dormant period, at this time the laying of future flower stalks occurs;
- flowering period.
So, what conditions does dendrobium need for successful growth and abundant flowering?
Lighting
This type of orchid is light-loving, but it is still better to shade them from direct rays of the sun. You can place dendrobiums on windows facing south and southeast, but only behind a light curtain or at some distance from the window. To ensure uniform growth and an even trunk, the pot with the plant is sometimes turned.
During the summer, the orchid can be taken out into the open air. If at this time it does not receive enough light, then it most likely will not bloom, even if all wintering conditions are met.
Attention! Juicy and green leaves on the plant serve as an indicator that the light level is okay.
Temperature
For successful growth, dendrobium requires a difference between day and night temperatures. Moreover, during the daytime it should be +22-27°, and at night it should not fall below +17° and not rise above +20°. One of the advantages of this orchid is that it can tolerate temperatures above +30° quite easily and without any problems.
Watering and air humidity
In summer, the frequency of watering should be at least once every 3-7 days. This indicator may depend on many factors: ambient temperature, air humidity level and lighting. But in any case, watering should be done only after the substrate in the pot has dried.
Watering can be done by immersion, that is, by lowering the pot into a container of water and leaving it there until completely moistened. Or add water little by little into the pan until the soil is completely saturated.
Advice! To stimulate flowering, you can use a hot shower, the water temperature of which is about 40°.
This plant is demanding on ambient humidity. To increase its level, you can put moss in the tray under the pot, which needs to be moistened periodically. Also, the orchid will have to be additionally sprayed with warm boiled water, this procedure is especially necessary in the summer.
The soil
The orchid dendrobium nobile, as mentioned above, is an epiphytic plant, so the soil for it is prepared from a mixture of crushed pine bark, moss and peat. You can also buy a ready-made substrate for growing orchids.
Fertilizers
It is necessary to feed indoor dendrobium during periods of intensive growth. For this you need to use a special fertilizer for orchids, which should be diluted according to the attached instructions. During the dormant period, fertilizing is not required.
Transfer
After purchasing a plant, there is no need to rush to replant it. First it must adapt to new conditions. Therefore, the first transplant can be postponed until next year. In general, overgrown dendrobiums should be replanted no more than once every 3-4 years.
This must be done very carefully; their root system is very sensitive and easily damaged. To do this, the plant is shaken out of the pot and soaked in a container of water. This allows you to easily and painlessly remove old soil. Then the orchid is placed in a new, larger pot, and the voids between the roots are filled with fresh substrate.
Attention! This orchid requires a tight pot to thrive. You need to choose it in such a way that after planting the distance between its walls and the roots of the plant is no more than 2 cm.
Features of care after flowering
So, what to do after flowering with Dendrobium nobile? This question very often worries those who have just started growing this species. In fact, caring for the dendrobium nobile orchid at home after flowering is not particularly difficult. If a specimen you just purchased from a store has bloomed, then you don’t need to do anything with it, since the soil in the pot has not yet become unusable and can be used for further cultivation.
But if your orchid has been growing for more than one year, then most likely you will need to transplant the plant into fresh soil. At the same time, you need to pay attention to the condition of the new pseudobulbs, which began their growth during flowering. If they are already fully formed, then you can start transplanting.
Many gardeners also ask: What to do with already faded pseudobulb? Maybe it should be cut off? To give the correct answers to these questions, you need to know that the pseudobulb of an orchid is a storage organ; it also serves as a source of nutrition for new shoots, so if it is in a healthy state, there is no need to trim it.
Only obviously old, drying, diseased and damaged shoots are removed. They are carefully cut at the very base using sharp scissors, and the cut site is treated with cinnamon powder or sprinkled with crushed coal.
Reproduction
Large dendrobium plants can be propagated by cuttings. To do this, remove the plant from the pot and carefully cut the rhizome so that each part contains a young sprout. The cut areas must be sprinkled with coal.
You can also propagate using bulbs. To do this, select a bulb that has never bloomed and cut it into a stump. It is placed in a transparent plastic bag filled with damp moss and tied. The package should be kept in a bright place. After a few months, up to 5 new plants can form on the bulb.
Dendrobium is also propagated with the help of children. To do this, they are cut off with a piece of the mother bulb and planted in the substrate. They take root quite quickly.
Caring for and propagating dendrobium is quite a troublesome process. But all the efforts will more than pay off when the plant blooms and turns the windowsill into a blooming flowerbed.
Orchids are popular indoor plants because they are distinguished by their unusual appearance and beautiful flowering. But since the orchid is a resident of the tropics, it will require special care at home.
In this article we will look at one of the popular types of this crop - the Dendrobium orchid, its main varieties and rules for caring for the flower.
The Dendrobium orchid is a representative of the genus of epiphytes. It is a plant 40-90 cm high. Its stem consists of cylindrical pseudobulbs. Leaves are arranged alternately on it, from the axils of which flower stalks grow, producing several fragrant flowers of different colors (Figure 1).
Figure 1. External features of Dendrobium orchids This culture is easy to care for, so in popularity among all types of indoor orchids it is second only to phalaenopsis.
Types of Dendrobium orchids
Among the many species of Dendrobium, the most popular are the following species (Figure 2):
- King;
- Parisha;
- Noble dendrobium;
- Dendrobium moniliforme.
Let's take a closer look at the features of each of these types.
King
Representatives of the species have rigid cylindrical stems, reaching a length of up to 30 cm. Their surface is covered with filmy leaf bases. Small flowers, from white to bright purple, are collected in a raceme at the top of the stem.
Parisha
A distinctive feature of this species is its fleshy stems, 30 to 40 cm long, with thickenings at the nodes. Their surface is shrouded in whitish leaf bases, which have a sharp oblong shape with a notched apex.
Figure 2. Main flower varieties: 1 - Kinga, 2 - Parisha, 3 - noble, 4 - moniliforme Leafless peduncles bear lilac or pink flowers, up to 10 cm in diameter, slightly darkening towards the ends of the petals.
Noble
Dendrobium noble (Nobile) is the most favorite species among gardeners. It is a fairly large plant. Its straight, fleshy stems bear oblong-shaped leathery leaves.
Peduncles form on last year's leafless shoots. They bear 2-3 flowers, whitish-cream at the base and lilac (pink) at the edges. The base of the flower has a dark purple spot.
Moniliform
This species is one of the oldest in culture. It is a miniature version of a noble variety. This plant has minimal requirements for growing conditions.
Note: It does not suffer from exposure to direct sunlight and does not require differences in night and day temperatures for full flowering.
Its root system does not rot if the substrate is not completely dried. This is why the moniliforme variety is so popular among indoor flower lovers. Its flowering period lasts from late winter to early autumn. Moreover, for each pseudobulb of the plant there are 1-2 inflorescences, which emit a light aroma.
Home care
Care is not particularly difficult. Its main points are sufficient daylight hours, increased humidity levels, differences in night and daytime ambient temperatures and a mandatory rest period, lasting from the beginning of November to the end of December (Figure 3).
Choosing a place for a flower
The culture loves bright sun very much. Therefore, when choosing a place for this flower in a room, give preference to east, southeast and southwest windows. But windows oriented to the south should be well shaded, since temperatures above +27 degrees have a detrimental effect on the plant. Alternatively, you can keep Dendrobium on southern windows in the autumn-winter period. When kept on northern windows, you will need to organize additional lighting using special lamps in autumn and winter.
As for the temperature regime, the flower feels comfortable at moderate temperatures: during the day +20+26, at night - +15+20 degrees. This natural temperature difference stimulates active development, promotes the formation of flower buds and guarantees abundant flowering.
Figure 3. Main stages of plant care In the autumn-winter period, growth stops, so the temperature drops to +12+17 degrees during the daytime and to +10+13 at night. At the same time, it is necessary to provide the plant with intense light and reduce watering to achieve full flowering.
Watering, spraying
Since the plant comes from tropical rainforests, it is necessary to create conditions close to natural ones. Therefore, in a room with dry air, it is necessary to increase the humidity by spraying the flower with soft water at intervals of one day. High ambient temperatures and insufficient humidity lead to curvature and deformation of leaves.
The frequency of watering depends on the time of year. So, in spring and summer, watering is carried out once every 3-4 days, in autumn - once a week, and in winter - only once a month. At the same time, you should know that before each regular watering, the roots of the plant and the substrate must be completely dry. Watering is best done by placing the pot with the plant in a larger container filled with warm water for 10-15 minutes. Try to prevent water from getting on young bulbs so as not to cause them to rot. Before placing the crop in its permanent place, excess moisture should drain through the drainage holes in the pot.
Feeding the flower
Feeding is carried out during the period of active growth, that is, from April to September. Fertilizers are applied once every 2-4 weeks during watering using purchased complex mineral fertilizers intended for orchids.
Dendrobium orchid transplant
Like other types of orchids, Dendrobiums are replanted once every 2-3 years if necessary. This need arises when the roots of the plant grow too much and do not fit in the pot, as well as when the substrate becomes caking or oxidizes. Transplantation is carried out in the spring, when the flowering period is over and the flower itself is actively growing (Figure 4).
Figure 4. Methods for transplanting an orchid An opaque pot is chosen as a container for planting, on the bottom of which a drainage layer of large pieces of bark is placed. The substrate is a special mixture of pine bark, foam balls and sphagnum moss. The transplanted plant can be watered after 7-10 days.
Choosing a pot
The plant can be grown either in opaque plastic pots or on a block of cork tree bark or peeled coconut. In any case, the container should be a little tight so that the plant is held securely and firmly in it.
Fertilizer
During the period of active growth, that is, from April to September, fertilization should be carried out by applying liquid complex fertilizers twice a month. You should be aware that the concentration of the irrigation agent should be two times weaker than the concentration specified in the instructions.
In addition, representatives of warm varieties should be fed monthly with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, and orchids of cold varieties should be fed with nitrogen fertilizers (2-3 times a month).
You will find more information about caring for Dendrobium in the video.
Dendrobium orchid blooming
As a rule, flowering of this species occurs from mid-winter to mid-spring, after which a dormant period begins. This stage is very important for the plant, as it ensures future flowering. The fragrant inflorescences come in a variety of colors and bloom for 2 to 4 weeks. An insufficient rest period leads to the fact that the orchid will produce young shoots - babies - instead of flowers.
Care during flowering
To stimulate flowering that did not occur in mid-January, it is recommended to reduce watering and move the plant itself to the brightest place or use artificial supplementary lighting. You can also apply fertilizer containing phosphorus, or spray the plant several times with warm water (+30+35 degrees).
Care after flowering
After flowering ends, it is necessary to provide the orchid with a full period of rest. To do this, remove the peduncle and move the plant to a cool place, where you should gradually reduce and then stop watering. It is important to know that in winter conditions at our latitudes, Dendrobium can simply hibernate rather than remain in a period of rest.
Therefore, in winter, although the flower has already faded, do not forget to add additional light to it, because the dormant period does not mean that the plant is not developing: at this time, its roots are actively growing and preparing for the growing season.
Dendrobium can be propagated either by dividing the bush or by cuttings. At home, the second method is most often used (Figure 5).
Cuttings
This method of propagation involves separating pseudobulbs from the mother bush and cutting cuttings 10 cm long from them. The resulting planting material is stored in tightly sealed plastic bags filled with sphagnum moss, in bright diffused light and an ambient temperature of +22+25 degrees.
Figure 5. Methods of flower propagation: cuttings and dividing the bush In this case, the bags must be ventilated every day, and the moss must be kept moist. After the cuttings take root, they are transplanted into a flower pot. With this method of propagation, the orchid blooms after 2-3 years.
Dividing the bush
An adult Dendrobium bush forms baby shoots on its stem. When they reach a length of 4-5 cm, and their roots reach 3-4 cm, you can begin propagating the orchid. To do this, you need to cut off the children with a section of the mother stem and plant them in a prepared nutrient mixture, which can be purchased at a flower shop, or you can make it yourself by finely crumbling the bark.
Since the roots of children are very delicate and can be easily injured during planting, it is recommended to first hold them for 10 minutes in warm water. For the same purpose, it is recommended to soak the nutrient substrate itself in water for a day. Children are planted several at a time in small pots.
The author of the video shows how to properly propagate an orchid.
Epiphytic orchids, the photo below shows one type of Dendrobium orchid, growing in tropical rainforests in the area:
- Himalayas;
- Vietnam;
- China;
- Indonesia.
There are many varieties of Dendrobium orchids.
The climate of this zone is clearly characterized pronounced seasonality dry winters and summer monsoons bringing rainfall. It is during the period of absence of rain in nature that the resting period of dendrobiums falls.
The same pronounced seasonality characteristic of these orchids even when kept indoors, when the resting phase occurs in the autumn-winter season.
Basic content rules
Caring for a Dendrobium orchid indoors should be as close as possible to natural conditions growth. There are many varieties of this orchid and how to properly care for each of them?
Selecting a location
The place where the orchid will grow depends largely determines its development and:
- The most suitable window sill is on the east, southwest, northeast or north side. In the latter case, lighting will be necessary in winter;
- A southern window in summer is uncomfortable for orchid growth, as the temperature can rise much higher than optimal.
The orchid should not be moved from place to place or turned in different directions, as this has a bad effect on its flowering.
Lighting Features
Light is the main factor, which determines the growth and flowering of an orchid:
- Dendrobium loves places with bright, diffused lighting. Direct sunlight may cause burns on it;
- In the autumn and winter seasons, daylight hours must be extended to 12 hours using a phytolamp.
Insufficient duration of lighting in winter is the main reason, due to which the dendrobium does not develop during this period.
Temperature
During the active period of growth
With the arrival of spring and summer, active growth of young shoots begins and their formation to the size of last year's pseudobulbs, in which useful substances and moisture accumulate. Optimal temperature range, which the plant needs during this period:
Attention! When the temperature rises to 30℃, babies may form from the buds instead of flowers.
To stimulate flowering it is desirable create a temperature difference day and night within 4-5℃.
During the rest period
The dormant period of dendrobium falls at the end of autumn - beginning of winter. It is not as pronounced as in the natural environment, but at this time the plant definitely needs rest, for which he needs to provide:
- Temperature +15-18℃;
- The maximum possible air humidity;
- watering.
The appearance of young shoots at the base of the bulb means end of the rest period, at this time you can resume watering and.
Watering
During the period of active growth of dendrobium requires abundant watering. At the same time, care is taken not to cause waterlogging:
- The soil should dry completely between waterings;
- To better use rainwater, you can settle tap water and mix it with distillate in a 1:1 ratio.
Attention! High salt content in tap water can be detrimental to an orchid.
Correctly selected watering mode will provide good growth orchids.
Watering dendrobium.
During the phase of leaf growth and flowering of the orchid, the plant must be watered 2 times a week, in the fall - once a week, in winter with caution - once a month.
Watering can be done different methods:
- Under the tap. When watering with a shower, moisture only reaches the surface, the plant remains dry. The jet pressure should not erode the soil surface, the time is about 3 minutes;
- Immersion method. The pot with the plant is lowered into a vessel filled with water for 10-15 minutes, then the water is allowed to drain completely and placed in place.
When watering, make sure that water does not fall on the young bulbs; remove moisture from the axils of the leaves with a napkin.
The influence of excess soil moisture
Dendrobium does not tolerate excessive watering and waterlogging of the soil, which leads to rotting of the roots. The first sign of waterlogging will be their subsequent death.
Humidity
How to care for an orchid blooming in a pot? Since the birthplace of dendrobium is tropical forests , He loves high air humidity - up to 55-60%. At low humidity, the plant is regularly carry out water procedures:
- Daily with water;
- Expanded clay is placed in a tray and regularly moistened;
- A small amount of sphagnum moss is placed in the basket.
In this case it is necessary avoid stagnation of moisture in a pot and tray.
Top dressing
During the period of vegetative growth, feeding the orchid carried out weekly from early April to September.
Fertilizers for dendrobium.
The most suitable fertilizer for this is one developed specifically for orchids; it is diluted in water for watering the plant.
Important! The root system of dendrobium is very sensitive to feeding, so even special fertilizer for orchids should be diluted twice.
If you use conventional mineral fertilizers for indoor plants, then they should be diluted 3 times compared to the recipe.
With the beginning of the growth of roots and leaves of the orchid, add with high nitrogen content.
As soon as the growth of the orchid has stopped and the bulbs have increased in size, the plant is fed with increased concentrations of potassium and phosphorus, which are necessary for the formation of flower buds.
Dendrobium usually continues to bloom 8-12 weeks, at high ambient temperatures it may shorten.
Care
During the rest period
From the beginning of November at Dendrobium a period of rest begins which lasts about 2 months: 
- From the last ten days of October, watering is stopped;
- The flowerpot is placed in the brightest and driest place;
- Optimal temperature cultivation within 15-16°C during the day and 8-10°C at night;
- If daily temperature fluctuations cannot be created, then the plant is placed at a constant temperature of about 10-12°C. More high temperature or humidity may cause a lack of flowering.
Lack of light in winter can provoke dendrobium dormancy, during which plant growth stops. With the appearance of the first signs of growth, the usual regime of watering and fertilizing is resumed.
After purchasing in store
After purchase, the orchid is provided with a 2-week quarantine, so that in case of illness do not infect other indoor plants:
- Choose a slightly shaded place;
- Inspect the leaf sinuses for signs of cobwebs;
- During quarantine, the plant is not watered or fed with fertilizers.
After quarantine, an orchid put in a permanent place.
How to stimulate flowering?
Why doesn't the orchid bloom? The lack of flowering in dendrobium is usually associated with uncomfortable conditions or care for it, which requires their review and adjustment. How to make Dendrobium bloom? Orchid, what to do? To stimulate flowering apply the following techniques:
In order for Dendrobium to bloom, you need to properly care for it.
- Create a daily temperature fluctuation of day and night within 5-6℃;
- Watering before flowering is reduced, the orchid is placed in the brightest place or illuminated with a phytolamp;
- Fertilizer should contain an increased amount of phosphorus;
- Take a warm shower 2-3 times with a water temperature of 30-35 °.
Compliance with these simple rules will stimulate lush flowering dendrobium.
Trimming dried peduncles
The pseudobulb should only be removed after flowering if it dries completely, when she gave the plant accumulated nutrients and water.
If the pseudobulb has green buds that have not yet bloomed, the orchid may produce new flowers.
Feeding after flowering.
After flowering ends the orchid is not fed, its leaves are turning yellow, preparing for a dormant period.
Signs of improper care
If the plant is not properly cared for, the following signs may be observed that require correction: conditions of detention and care:
- The stems are wrinkled– a sign of insufficient watering of the orchid;
- No flowering– poor lighting;
- Yellowing and loss of leaves– poor watering or rotting of roots, change in temperature or overfeeding of the plant;
- Root rotting– watering during the dormant period, waterlogging of the substrate, decomposed soil, unsterile soil substrate at;
- Falling buds– high cultivation temperature, presence of pests.
In all cases you should adjust care for the orchid.
Advice! If the orchid leaves have acquired a light green or marble color, the plant needs to compensate for the deficiency of iron or magnesium.
Diseases and pests
Most often orchid damage is caused:
- Spider mite;
- Or thrips.
Measures to combat diseases
Pest Control is:
- In increasing air humidity;
- And wash the plant with soapy water twice a month.
Leaves and stem remove insects by hand, if the lesion is severe, treat with Actellik.
Such pests must be removed manually from the leaves of the Dendrobium orchid.
Useful video
Watch the video to see what the Dendrobium orchid looks like:
Find out in the video how to care for the Dendrobium orchid:
Video instructions for the Dendrobium orchid:
Watch the video on how to water a Dendrobium orchid:
Prevention
Proper care and comfortable conditions growing dendrobium are the basis for the health and regular flowering of Dendrobium.
In contact with
One of the most beautiful types of Dendrobium orchids and, moreover, the most common in indoor floriculture is Dendrobium Nobile. The advantages of this orchid are its spectacular appearance, luxurious flowering, amazing aroma, so pleasant, slightly sweet and not at all cloying! Even novice gardeners can grow Dendrobium Nobile, because knowledgeable people compare this flower to geranium due to its unpretentiousness. In this article we will introduce you to this epiphytic beauty and tell you about the proper care of Dendrobium Nobile at home.
A peculiarity of Dendrobium Nobile is the location of its peduncles - along the entire length of the pseudobulb
This type of orchid is most often found high in the mountains of India, Thailand, Nepal, Vietnam, and the Himalayas. Back in 1836, she was brought from India to Europe, where she amazed everyone with her unusual beauty. Translated from Greek, the name of the orchid “Dendrobium” sounds like “living on a tree”, and the prefix “Nobile” means “noble, excellent, noticeable or famous”. The second name of this orchid, Dendrobium Noble, very accurately characterizes this plant. A tall bush, about 60 cm, has an original, very impressive appearance. Purple with a yellow spot, pink, white or red flowers cover the trunk so thickly that the bush looks like a living bouquet. Its fleshy, straight stems (pseudobulbs) with a characteristic glossy tint are usually cylindrical, thickened in the lower part, and decorated with wide leaves in the upper part. Peduncles with large bright fragrant flowers appear on them in the second year of life.
The flowers of Dendrobium Nobile are united in inflorescences, which, depending on the age of the orchid and the variety of the hybrid, can have from 1 to 3 flowers. And the entire pseudobulb, if counted, can be decorated with from 50 to 70 flowers. The diameter of one flower can reach 10 cm, but on average it is from 5 to 8 cm. Natural species of Dendrobium nobilis have white petals with purple tips and a cream-colored lip with a pinkish edging and a dark purple throat. And hybrid varieties come with white, orange, purple, lilac, dark purple flowers, even variegated ones. The shape of the petals is ovoid with elongated sepals. Flowering occurs in February - March. The shoots of an adult flowering Dendrobium are literally strewn from base to top with large, unusually beautiful flowers. Each flower stays on the peduncle for up to two months.
Scale insects on orchid leaves
Spider mite. You can recognize the appearance of the pest by the thin cobwebs that cover the leaves and shoots of the orchid. Most likely, the air in your room is too dry. These insects also feed on plant sap. Small spots from tick injections on the surface of the leaf turn into large spots. Affected leaves and flower stalks die.
You are unlikely to be able to cope with the entire colony - insect pests of indoor plants are very prolific. In addition to adult flying and crawling individuals, the colony contains their larvae and eggs, which are firmly attached in the sinuses, folds, and roots. Therefore, we recommend that in case of severe damage, you use chemical control agents - insecticides. There are a large number of such drugs on sale. You can spray with one of the drugs: Aktara, Actellik, Fitoverm. Usually, re-treatment is necessary after 10 - 15 days, read the instructions.
A little about signs
According to Eastern philosophers, there are many signs associated with the presence of this mysterious flower in an apartment.
- It is believed that Dendrobium Nobile will bring peace and prosperity to married couples. If a couple is in a civil marriage, then the appearance of this flower can lead to discord and even a break in the relationship.
- It is not advisable to place an orchid in the bedroom. It is believed that the flower will take away the owner’s strength and he may become depressed.
- The plant has a negative effect on people with unstable psyches.
- For creative people, it helps awaken inspiration and new strength.
- It gives women cheerfulness and prolongs youth.
- The presence of a blooming Dendrobium Nobile orchid in the house is a talisman against guests with bad intentions and all sorts of ill-wishers. If such a person appears as a guest, the orchid will worsen his health and force him to leave your home.
The color of orchid petals also has its effect.
- Orchid species with red and purple flowers are believed to help break bad habits.
- Yellow and orange orchids promote an active lifestyle and bring success in financial matters.
- White and pink flowers relieve depression and bring harmony to the state of mind.
Conclusion
The orchid variety Dendrobium Nobile is slightly inferior in popularity to Phalaenopsis. Although, it is no less beautiful, can bloom for a long time, and exudes a pleasant aroma. This orchid is unpretentious in care and maintenance and reproduces easily. If you do not yet have a collection of indoor orchids, we recommend starting with Dendrobium Nobile. We are confident that you will be able to choose the best hybrid of this orchid for your soul and home, and it will decorate your home for many years.
Orchids are considered one of the most beautiful representatives of the plant kingdom. For a long time, flower growers have learned to grow both common and rare specimens, such as dendrobium (orchid), in their apartments. Caring for these exotic pets at home has its own characteristics. This family is one of the richest in its species. Its representatives can be seen almost anywhere on the globe. These can be rainy tropical forests, savannas or steppes, hot lowlands and cold mountain areas at an altitude of up to five thousand meters.
However, the greatest diversity of subspecies of this family of Orchidaceae 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). Caring for this beauty at home, according to many, is almost impossible. But this is not so: growing it today is not difficult; moreover, if all the required conditions are met, 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 entire family as a whole.
In 1731, the very first tropical orchid bloomed in Europe, which was brought from the Bahamas by a missionary. However, almost another hundred years passed before the craze for these exotic plants began.
In the early nineteenth century in England, orchids began to be used as packaging material for several other tropical flowers. One day, gardener and plant importer William Catley became interested in their strange parts. He placed 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 this, many gardening 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 it, judging by the reviews, seems difficult to many people only at first.
For quite a long time, these exotic plants in Europe were sold at a price unaffordable for ordinary people. The cost of some copies even reached twelve thousand German marks.
And only when gardeners managed to learn more about them, including about such a representative as the dendrobium orchid, photos, care of which and many features of cultivation are already in almost every gardening magazine today, the trade in these exotic flowers moved to a more reasonable price level .
Epiphytes
Today, many wild varieties are known, including dendrobium, an orchid that many consider quite 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 lady's slipper were discovered in China, having large flowers of very bright colors.
Today, all wild representatives, including dendrobium, the care of which is not difficult, are on the list of plants protected by law. Most of them in natural growth conditions are epiphytes. They settle on other plants and live in the crowns of many trees. The reason for choosing such a unique location is the fact that orchids on the crowns receive more light than those living on shady soils in the tropical forest.
Dendrobium
Orchids, caring for which at home is no longer a problem today, are sold in every flower shop. This beautiful plant captivates 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 that, despite the existing nuances, can be cared for at home even by a novice gardener; it 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 dendrobium flowers, the care of which is somewhat different from ordinary ones. These are lithophytes that live on rocks. In nature, both varieties are found in Japan and the Philippines, in Australia and China, in New Zealand, New Guinea, etc. The species has about one thousand two hundred varieties, which are sometimes very different not only in the shape and coloring of flowers or leaves, but and the timing of flowering, the manner of arrangement of buds on the stem and much more.
Peculiarities
The existing rich diversity of species does not allow us to talk about general requirements for all varieties of Dendrobium orchids. Caring for each one takes into account certain vagaries of the subspecies and some of its features. But there are some general information that amateur plant growers should be aware of when buying this beauty at a flower shop. This circumstance must be taken into account when bringing dendrobium into the house. Caring for and breeding any variety is a constant and labor-intensive process. But there is no need to be afraid.
It’s just that cultivation must be carried out in accordance with all agrotechnical rules required by specialists for such a flower as dendrobium. Caring 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.
These are deciduous or evergreen plants with sympodial branching. Their segmented shoots of varying 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 top “floor”.
Some of them 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 clusters containing up to three flowers. The pseudobulb carries them along almost the entire length of the carpal, forming a bright cascade.
Varieties
This most extensive genus in the orchid family is now widespread among a large army of indoor floriculture enthusiasts. Most 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 the distant subtropics is simply an ideal place for a normal existence, but not everyone has one.
Currently, in industrial cultivation and in the flower trade, the best represented hybrids are bigibbum, phalenosepsis, parisha or dendrobium nobile - an orchid whose care requires the correct choice of substrate and the presence of an eastern window. The latter is most common among gardeners.
Over the past few years, species such as King's, D. Lindley's or Starclass dendrobium have become more common in Russian apartments.
Care
Growing seasons, recommended temperatures, fertilizing and the need for a dormant period vary greatly among different species. This is explained by the diversity of climatic conditions in the places of natural growth of each specific species. Some dendrobiums grow in the tropics, where during the warm season there is an abundance of heavy rain, and in subsequent seasons there is low temperature and drought. Other species came to us from those regions where the temperature always remains the same. And it is precisely because of this diversity of existing natural conditions that each culture requires an individual approach. Care after flowering requires the closest attention. Dendrobium during this period requires transplantation, as well as other measures, since it is weakened and depleted.
The soil
To plant dendrobium orchids, the care of which requires certain knowledge, specialists usually use an ordinary 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 branch cuttings, 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 supply of moisture, 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, coarse substrates are used in a warm and humid room.
Lighting
All types of dendrobium are light-loving. They prefer bright, but diffused light. During the hot summer season, plants must be shaded, avoiding places where they may be exposed to direct sunlight, which can cause burns. This type of orchid needs maximum lighting only from the end of August and throughout the fall, when new shoots begin to ripen. During the winter months, it is advisable to provide the plant with additional light for up to four to six hours during the day.
Temperature
Different types of dendrobiums vary greatly in their requirements. And, in particular, this concerns the temperature conditions for their normal growth. If the grower does not know for sure the name of the pet, then he is recommended to carefully monitor the condition of the orchid in order to understand what conditions are best for it. In this case, you can adhere to the general rules.
In general, during their growth period, almost all dendrobiums prefer fairly high temperatures. During the day, this indicator can fluctuate from twenty to twenty-five, and at night - from eighteen to twenty degrees. After the growth period is complete, this plant needs to be provided with relatively cool conditions. The night temperature in the room should not rise above fifteen degrees.
Some varieties, for example, Dendrobium nobile, whose care is slightly different from others, require a cooler environment for abundant flowering.
Watering
During the growth period, these orchids need to be watered abundantly, but do not allow water to stagnate in the pot. The substrate must completely dry out. During the dormant period, they simply need moderate watering. This is especially true for varieties that leave leaves. For species that completely shed them, dry keeping is recommended.
Water for irrigation should be soft, at room temperature or even a few degrees more. During the active growing season, the dendrobium needs to be fed with a liquid complex fertilizer specifically designed for orchids. The procedure should be carried out twice a month, no more.
Humidity
These representatives of the Yatryshnikov family prefer a high water content in the indoor air. The humidity in the room should be between forty and sixty percent. Therefore, in warm seasons, they need to be sprayed daily, although without allowing water to get into the leaf axils. In winter, humidity can be increased by placing the pot on a tray with expanded clay so that the bottom does not get wet.
Transfer
All orchids, including dendrobium phalaenopsis, the care of which also categorically denies the presence of drafts, are difficult to tolerate replanting, so it should be done only when necessary: when the plant’s pots become too small. The best time for this is considered to be 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 to bloom buds. Typically, the flowering period lasts approximately eight to twelve weeks. 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 important stage.
To achieve flowering, some plant growers use the following tricks: they do not water their orchid until a new shoot appears on it. But as soon as it stretches up to two or three centimeters, putting down 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 until it stops completely. At the same time, they lower the temperature to twelve degrees. This is not difficult, since dendrobium, which is not very difficult to care for at home, blooms in winter. Watering is restored only after the buds have opened.
Care after flowering
This period in the life of a plant is very important. When it fades, watering gradually stops. Many orchids, including Dendrobium nobile, whose care after flowering consists of immediately removing the peduncle and moving the pot to a cooler place, fall into a state of rest and then prepare to bloom again. 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 gets dark early, which is unusual for dendrobium, you can use a phytolamp and artificially illuminate the plant with it. The reason is that under natural conditions there is no rest period for this type of orchid. The plant is always in active phases: either it puts out its roots, or leaves or peduncles. If the orchid does fall 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 what caring for it after flowering consists of.
Dendrobium, which must be cared for at home taking into account the characteristics of this flower, is propagated in two ways: by dividing the bush and by cuttings. In the first and second cases, the procedure is performed only after flowering.
