How to care for a dendrobium orchid at home. Dendrobium orchid. Photo, home flower care. Dendrobium reproduction by bush division

The dendrobium orchid is a very beautiful, exotic flower, which is a herbaceous perennial belonging to the orchid family. If we interpret the name of the culture from Greek, then the dendrobium is translated as "living on trees." But among these orchids there are varieties growing on stones.

General information

In the wild, the orchid grows in the Philippines, Japan, New Zealand, China and Oceania. The culture has over 1200 varieties, differing from each other in a variety of colors, the shape of inflorescences, leaf plates and flowering time.

Dendrobium, in comparison with other orchids, reaches a length of only up to 70 centimeters, and its stem consists of cylindrical pseudobulbs. Leaf blades are lanceolate. They are placed alternately on the stem. Peduncles grow from their axils and contain one to four variegated inflorescences that have a pleasant aroma.

Growing this unusual orchid is quite simple, the main thing is to create a suitable microclimate for it and properly care for it, then it will delight the grower with its decorative effect and bright, unusual inflorescences.

Dendrobium orchid species and varieties photos and names

(noble ) - naturally grows in Vietnam or the Himalayas. The plant can have several peduncles, on which one to three large inflorescences appear, white in color with purple marks at the ends of the petals. Flowers have a pleasant aroma. Leaf plates are long, medium, lanceolate, dark green. The orchid blooms twice a year.

- in the wild, the culture grows in Australia. It has cylindrical stems with a thickening from below. The leaves are green, long, leathery, wide. On the peduncle grows 5 inflorescences of a white-pink hue with a spotted middle. Flowering time lasts from February to March.

- is a compact hybrid variety, reaching a height of up to 20 centimeters. Leaf plates are light green, lanceolate, leathery. On one low peduncle grows from 7 to 15 small purple inflorescences with an orange center and a pleasant aroma. Blooms once a year for 4-5 months.

- the height of the orchid reaches up to 40 centimeters. The leaf plates are long, glossy, with a pointed end of a dark green color. A short peduncle grows from leaf rosettes. 4-6 medium purple inflorescences appear on it. Blooms twice a season. Summer and autumn.

The plant has a thick trunk, reaching a height of up to 70 centimeters. Peduncles are short, on each 1-2 openwork, snow-white inflorescences with a yellow center and a pleasant aroma are formed. Leaf plates are green, glossy, large with a pointed end. The culture blooms one to two times a year.

- the inflorescences of this type of orchid initially have a white tint. A special tinted liquid used for watering gives them a blue color. Therefore, as the purchased plant fades, the next inflorescences will already be milky white. In height, the blue dendrobium reaches 50 centimeters and has green medium lanceolate leaves. The culture blooms twice a year.

- This hybrid was bred by Thai breeders. The plant has a thin, long trunk and long green, leathery leaves. Peduncles of medium length, they appear from 5 to 10 inflorescences of an olive or light yellow hue with a purple center. The orchid blooms twice a year.

- the culture has thin, high pseudobulbs, which are divided into segments. They grow close to each other, hanging slightly to the sides. Their length will depend on the lighting. Leaf blades are lanceolate, dark green. Peduncles grow from internodes, up to five large inflorescences are formed on them. The color of the flowers is orange or light yellow with a slight reddish tinge. The middle is covered with dark stripes.

- The homeland of the plant is Thailand, Laos and Nepal. The trunk of the epiphyte grows up to 45 centimeters in height. Leaf blades are lanceolate, dark green, pointed. The drooping peduncle reaches a height of up to 30 centimeters and has from 14 to 35 inflorescences of a pinkish, lilac, white or yellow hue with an orange center. Flowering time lasts from January to July.

The natural habitat of the plant is Australia. The culture has a cylindrical stem, which is thickened from below. Leaf plates are dark green, wide, lanceolate. Peduncle of medium length. It grows 4-5 white-pink inflorescences with a spotted center. The plant blooms from February to March.

- The natural habitat of the plant is Japan. This orchid variety is characterized by short stature, a thin and long trunk, narrow, leathery, long leaf plates of a dark green hue. On the peduncle grows 4-5 medium inflorescences of a white hue with a pleasant aroma. The orchid blooms twice a year.

- the stem of the culture is a low pseudobulb, which has a rounded-oblong shape. On each of them, one green, medium, leathery, lanceolate leaf plate is formed. The flower stalks of the orchid are long, drooping. Inflorescences have a golden hue and a pleasant aroma. An orchid can bloom, either once or twice a year.

- The plant is common in southern Asia. It reaches a height of up to 30 centimeters and has hanging shoots. The culture is the smallest of its kind. Leaf blades are lanceolate, pointed, glossy, dark green. Peduncle straight, filiform. It appears from 1 to 4 small inflorescences of a yellow hue with a dark center. The plant blooms from February to June.

This hybrid variety of orchid was bred in Thailand. It has a thin trunk, reaching up to 60 centimeters in length. Leaf plates are green, long, pointed, glossy. Peduncles are medium, they form 5-10 inflorescences of a yellow hue with a purple center. The culture blooms twice a year.

- The homeland of the orchid is Vietnam and Thailand. In height, the culture reaches from 15 to 23 centimeters. The leaves are green, leathery, oval. The peduncle grows up to 15 centimeters. It forms from 3 to 5 inflorescences of a bright yellow or orange-red hue. The middle and petals of the inflorescence have fringed edges.

- is a miniature plant native to Southeast Asia. The orchid grows mainly on coniferous trees. Leaf plates are medium, dark green, leathery, lanceolate. The inflorescences are small, white or yellow with a pleasant aroma.

- the plant has a trunk of medium thickness, reaching a height of up to 60 centimeters. The leaves are dark green, glossy, with a sharp end. The inflorescences are medium with wavy pink petals and a yellow center. Flowers have a pleasant aroma. Orchid bloom time falls in winter and summer.

In the wild, it grows in India, Laos and Thailand. The plant reaches a height of up to 10 centimeters and has green, leathery, lanceolate leaves. Peduncles drooping, short with two golden inflorescences with wavy petals.

- the orchid has tall, lignified trunks with dark green, lanceolate foliage with sharp edges. Peduncles grow from internodes and throw out 1 large inflorescence of a light yellow hue with a yellow center, decorated with orange veins. The culture blooms twice a year. The peak flowering of the plant occurs in the spring.

- the plant reaches a height of up to 50 centimeters and has thick stems of a green hue. Leaf plates are leathery, glossy, lanceolate. Peduncles are short with 1-2 large orange inflorescences with a pleasant aroma. The orchid blooms from January to May.

- the plant reaches a height of 3 to 10 centimeters. It has dark green, glossy leaves with a pointed end. Peduncles are short. They grow one inflorescence with a pleasant aroma. They can have white, yellow, purple, pink shades, and also be two-tone. The culture blooms twice a year.

Dendrobium orchid home care

In order for the dendrobium orchid to develop normally and delight the grower with its decorative effect, it should provide a microclimate similar to the one in which it grows in the wild.

From what place the grower chooses for the orchid, its growth and flowering will depend. It is best to prefer a northeast or north window sill. If the orchid grows on the north window, in winter it will need to be illuminated with a phytolamp, thus extending the daylight hours.

In summer, you should not put a flower on the southern windowsill, since not only direct sunlight will fall on it, but also the temperature regime will many times exceed the one that the plant needs. This variety of orchids, unlike the others, cannot be rotated around its axis, as this will have a bad effect on flowering.

The dendrobium orchid is a light-loving plant. Therefore, the place chosen for it should be well lit, but at the same time, care should be taken to ensure that the light is diffused. If direct sunlight hits the leaves, burns will appear on them. In winter and autumn, you can extend the daylight hours up to 12 hours with the help of a phytolamp. If the plant has little light, it will stop growing.

During the growing season with the onset of spring, the orchid begins to form young shoots, as well as accumulate moisture and substances necessary for growth and development. In order for the culture to develop well, appropriate temperature conditions must be created for it.

In spring they should be from +20 to +24, and in summer from +24 to +27. If the temperature rises or falls, the plant starts to hurt, and if the temperature rises to + 30, then instead of buds, children will begin to form. To stimulate flowering, it is necessary to create a temperature difference of 5 degrees between day and night.

Since orchids are native to tropical rainforests, the humidity in the room should not be below 60%. If the humidity is low, then the culture should be sprayed daily or a humidifier should be used.

Watering dendrobium orchids

During the growing season, watering the plant should be plentiful. However, care must be taken not to overmoisten the root system and not cause it to rot. The soil must be dry between waterings. It is better to use rainwater or distilled water, but experienced flower growers also use settled tap water.

The correct watering regime has a positive effect on plant growth. During the growing season, the crop should be watered twice a week. In autumn, watering is carried out once a week, and in winter once a month.

For irrigation, it is best to use the submersible method. For this purpose, the culture pot is lowered into a container of water and the orchid is left in it for 15 minutes, then they wait for the water to drain and return the pot to its place.

When watering, you need to ensure that the liquid does not get into the leaf axils and young bulbs, otherwise they may rot. If moisture does get on them, it should be blotted with a napkin.

The Phalaenopsis orchid is also a member of the Orchidaceae family. It is grown during home care without much hassle if you follow the rules of agricultural technology. You can find all the necessary recommendations, as well as watering methods in this article.

Soil for dendrobium orchids

The main ingredient in the substrate for the plant is pine bark. Its pieces should be small so that they can dry out faster after watering. It is better not to add sphagnum and peat, as these ingredients retain moisture, which leads to rotting of the root system. Instead, it's better to add a handful charcoal.

For drainage, you can use foam or pebbles. Expanded clay is not suitable, as it accumulates salts from the water, which adversely affect the health of the plant.

Before planting an orchid in a substrate, it should be disinfected by spilling it with boiling water and letting it stand until it dries, after which the soil can be used for its intended purpose.

Dendrobium orchid pot

The root system in the pot should be a little cramped. If it is too spacious, then the bark will absorb more moisture, which means that soon the root system will begin to rot.

The pot should be tall enough for both drainage and counterweight. Since the dendrobium is a large and tall plant, it is imperative to put a counterweight on the bottom of the container to avoid the pot falling on its side.

There should be drainage holes at the bottom and in the side walls to facilitate the outflow of moisture and ventilation. Since the orchid's root system prefers a constant temperature, it is best to choose a clay pot that will help maintain the optimum temperature.

Dendrobium orchid transplant

Since the dendrobium does not tolerate transplantation very well, this procedure must be carried out every three years if:

• The substrate has begun to decompose or becomes dense;
• The soil is acidic;
• The root system suffered as a result of waterlogging;
• It's time for a transplant.

A pot for transplanting a plant should be taken clay, 4 centimeters more than the previous one. When the plant is taken out of the pot, it should be placed in a solution of succinic acid, prepared in the proportion of 1 tablet per 1 liter of water.

After the culture lies in the solution for 20 minutes, its roots will become greenish-milky. Then the plant must be taken out and put on a paper towel to dry for 30 minutes.

Next, you should take the pot, lay the drainage on the bottom and carefully place the orchid in it so that the old pseudobulbs are closer to the walls of the pot. The root neck of the plant must be left on the surface, the roots should be straightened, and the gaps between them should be filled with a substrate, lightly pressing it with the palm of your hand from above.

Watering is carried out a week after transplantation, after the wounds obtained during the procedure have healed on the root system.

Fertilizer for dendrobium orchids

It is necessary to fertilize the dendrobium from April to September twice a month. Top dressing can be diluted in water for irrigation or dissolved in spray liquid. The solution should be diluted in a concentration two times less than that indicated on the package.

During flowering, the plant is not fertilized. Nutrients should be added only if new pseudobulbs grow or old pseudobulbs thicken during flowering. If the orchid is sick or attacked by pests, fertilizing should be stopped until complete recovery.

Blooming dendrobium orchids

Each type of orchid has its own flowering time, but usually it falls in winter and spring. Dendrobiums bloom for eight to twelve weeks.

The size and color of orchid inflorescences will also depend on the type of crop. The most common colors are pink, yellow, purple, orange, red, and bicolor.

Almost all varieties of dendrobium exude a delicate, pleasant aroma during flowering.

Pruning a dendrobium orchid

You need to cut off the pseudobulb only when it is completely dry, giving the orchid all the necessary substances and liquid. If there are still buds on the peduncle, then it will definitely bloom, but this takes time.

You can remove dried or yellowed leaves, as well as faded buds. This is necessary to maintain the decorative appearance of the culture.

The dormant period of the dendrobium orchid

After flowering, the orchid has a dormant period, so the plant should be moved to a cool room so that it rests until the next growing season. During the day, the temperature regime should be within 16-20 degrees, and at night within 10-12.

Watering the culture should be reduced to a minimum, and after a while it should be completely stopped. Top dressing also needs to stop making. If the pseudobulbs begin to shrivel, you can lightly spray the substrate in the pot.

During the hibernation period, the plant should be closely monitored, and as soon as it begins to emerge from it, it should be moved to its usual environment and continue to care for the orchid as usual. The time of the hibernation period and the exit from it will depend on the variety of dendrobium.

Dendrobium propagation by cuttings

Dendrobium is propagated only vegetatively. The seed method is not used due to its complexity and the very slow growth of seedlings. Therefore, flower growers prefer to propagate the dendrobium orchid by cuttings.

In order to propagate the plant, it is necessary to separate the whole pseudobulb and cut it into pieces of 10 centimeters, sprinkling the slices with crushed coal and drying in the air. It is best to root the cuttings in damp moss by inserting them into a container with sphagnum and covering with a film.

The container with cuttings should be kept in a warm and lit place, airing it daily and moistening the moss with a spray bottle. After two months, when the planting material takes root, the plants can be transplanted to a permanent place of growth. Young orchids will bloom in three years.

Dendrobium orchid reproduction by children

The formation of children occurs in the upper part of the pseudobulb. After some time, they begin to form their own root system. When the roots reach a length of 5 centimeters, the children are carefully cut off with a sharp knife along with the roots, dried and rooted in pine bark at a temperature of +25 degrees and an air humidity of at least 60%.

You should also place the potty with the children in a sunny and warm place so that they grow better. Young orchids begin to bloom in two years.

Dendrobium reproduction by bush division

You can propagate an orchid using bush division. However, for this method it is necessary to take a mother plant that has already reached the age of four years and has four to six pseudobulbs. Division is always combined with transplantation.

Before dividing the plant, the root system must be removed from the pot, freed from the soil and cut into several divisions, on which a pair of pseudobulbs with the root system should remain. After dividing the bush, the sections must be treated with charcoal and the plants should be planted in pots.

The orchid does not tolerate division well. Therefore, for breeding, it is best to use the department of babies. Thus, the plant will receive a minimum of injuries, and the children will quickly take root and begin to grow.

Diseases and pests

At proper care for the dendrobium, the florist may not be afraid of diseases and pests, but if the rules are violated, the plant may undergo various problems that will affect its health.

Most often attacks the orchid aphids, spider mites, scale insects and mealybugs that feed on the juice of leaf plates, trunks and peduncles. These dangerous pests can be eliminated by spraying the culture with Actellik.

With improper watering, the orchid can be subject to ailments of fungal etiology. Excessive moisture of the substrate leads to the appearance of such a serious ailment as root rot . It will be difficult to save the plant in this case, but you still need to try to do it.

For this purpose, it should be transplanted into a new pot with a fresh substrate, after removing the damaged roots, drying them and treating them with charcoal. Watering the reanimated orchid should be carried out on the tenth day after the procedure.

Problems when growing a dendrobium orchid

The various problems that growers who grow orchids have to face are most often due to improper care of the crop.

The most common of these are:

• lack of flowering - the dendrobium does not bloom due to lack of sun, lack of a dormant period, or overfeeding with nitrogen fertilizers. By eliminating the above reasons, you can achieve the appearance of buds and luxurious flowering in the future.
• leaf twisting - twisting of sheet plates is observed when the air is dry and the temperature rises above the permissible level. By eliminating these causes, the problem with the leaves will resolve itself.
• Stickiness of sheet plates - the leaves become sticky as a result of the defeat of the orchid by the scale insect. You can destroy insects by treating the orchid with the Aktellik insecticide.
• Formation of children instead of buds - this problem occurs as a result of non-compliance with the rules of care during the dormant period, as well as with improper watering. Having identified mistakes in plant care and eliminated them, the grower will begin to notice the appearance of buds, which will turn into luxurious inflorescences with a pleasant aroma.
• Yellowing and falling leaves - the leaves begin to turn yellow and wither as a result of infection of the plant with root rot due to waterlogging of the soil. In this case, a transplant will help save the orchid, with the preliminary removal of damaged roots.
• Lack of growth - the orchid stops growing with a lack of fertilizer or low temperature indicators of its content. Having introduced the necessary dressings and corrected the temperature, the grower will begin to notice how the culture has grown.
• Blackening of sheet plates - black spots appear as a result of the defeat of the dendrobium by ailments viral etiology, developing at low temperatures of maintenance and improper care. By normalizing the microclimate, and removing the damaged leaf plates, the culture can be saved.
• Fly on the leaves - plaque on the leaf plates appears as a result of infection of the orchid with a spider mite, which covers the leaves with a white sticky web. You can eliminate the pest by treating the plant with the Actellik insecticide
• Drying of leaf plates - the leaves can dry out if the orchid is damaged by a spider mite or due to lack of moisture. Drying can be eliminated by treating the orchid with the Aktellik insecticide or by establishing a watering regime.

Conclusion

The dendrobium orchid is distinguished by its decorative effect, long flowering period and luxurious bright colors exuding a pleasant fragrance.

In care, the culture is unpretentious, the orchid can be easily propagated, so many flower growers choose it, decorating their flower collections with this exotic epiphyte.

Dendrobium (lat. Dendrobium)- a genus of herbaceous perennials of the Orchid family. Translated from Greek, "dendrobium" means "living on a tree", which speaks of the epiphytic mode of existence of the plant, although there are also lithophytes (living on stone) among the species of Dendrobium. In nature, the dendrobium flower grows in Japan, the Philippines, China, Australia, Oceania, New Zealand and New Guinea and has more than 1200 species, which sometimes differ greatly not only in the color and shape of flowers and leaves, but also in the time of flowering, in the manner of arranging flowers on the stem and many, many others.

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Planting and caring for the dendrobium

• Bloom: 8-12 weeks.
• Lighting: bright diffused light without direct sunlight. Daylight hours are at least 12 hours.
• Temperature: during the period of growth during the day 20-25 ˚C, at night - 16-21 ˚C, in winter during the day no higher than 20 ˚C, at night no lower than 18 ˚C. Species of cool content prefer daytime temperatures in summer within 15-18 ˚C, night temperatures around 12 ˚C, in winter around 12 ˚C during the day, and around 8 ˚C at night. The difference between day and night temperatures should be 5-7 degrees.
• Watering: abundant in the warm season, scarce during the dormant period.
• Air humidity: 50-80%. Frequent spraying with warm water is required. In winter, it is recommended to keep a pot with a plant on a tray with wet rubble.
• Top dressing: during the period of active growth (from April to September) 2 times a month with a solution of complex mineral fertilizer for orchids.
• rest period: after flowering. Each type has its own timing.
• Transfer: once every 3-4 years. Spring-flowering species - after flowering, autumn-flowering - with the beginning of the growth of young shoots.
• Reproduction: vegetatively (dividing a bush or cuttings).
• Pests: spider mites, thrips, scale insects, mealybugs, whiteflies.
• Diseases: root rot, leaf spot, powdery mildew, brown rot.

Read more about growing dendrobium below.

Dendrobium orchid - growing features

This variety of species and differences in their agricultural practices do not allow us to describe the rules for keeping at home for all dendrobiums, because each species has its own whims, but there are some general requirements that an amateur grower needs to know about:

• breeding dendrobiums is a laborious process;
• the cultivation of each species must be carried out according to the rules of agricultural technology specifically for this species, otherwise you risk destroying the flower;
• from the general rules: dendrobiums love bright diffused light without direct sunlight;
• dendrobium flowers, like any orchid, do not tolerate drafts;
• dendrobiums in nature do not need a dormant period.

Dendrobium care at home

Dendrobium orchid care

Growing a dendrobium is troublesome, although rewarding, but it is important to know how to care for your dendrobium, because they are all so different! For example, according to the conditions of optimal growing temperature, dendrobiums are divided into six groups, each of which has its own requirements for temperature conditions. But on average, for heat-loving species of dendrobium during the growth period, the most comfortable temperature in summer during the daytime is 20-25 ºC, and at night 16-21 ºC. In winter, during the day no higher than 20 ºC, at night no lower than 18 ºC.

Kinds of cool keeping Dendrobium in summer during the daytime prefer temperatures of 15-18 ºC, at night about 12 ºC, in winter about 12 ºC during the day, about 8 ºC at night.

Most types and varieties of dendrobium prefer good lighting, but without direct sunlight in the afternoon. In general, for normal growth and development, orchids need a twelve-hour daylight hours.

Watering the dendrobium not much different from watering other orchids: in warm weather, the substrate is moistened abundantly, but without the risk of rotting orchid roots. During the dormant period, hydration is symbolic. Water for irrigation should be at room temperature, purified or at least settled.

As for air humidity, the optimal humidity for dendrobium is 50-80%. To achieve such indicators, in the summer it is best to take the dendrobium outdoors and spray as often as possible, and in the winter to keep the orchid pot on a pallet with wet gravel.

Dendrobium transplant

Orchids do not like transplants, but since you have to do this once every three to four years, it is better to still have an idea of ​​\u200b\u200bhow to transplant dendrobium. Species that bloom in autumn are transplanted with the beginning of the growth of young shoots, and those that bloom in spring - at the end of flowering. The container should not be large, and what material it will be from is a matter of your taste.

Experienced flower growers prefer unglazed clay flowerpots, while amateurs most often choose translucent plastic ones.

A few heavy pebbles are placed at the bottom of the pot for the stability of a small pot, then a drainage layer of expanded clay or foam is poured, a large fraction of bark is poured on top, then they are transferred from the old pot to a new dendrobium and a fresh substrate is added, which is best purchased at a specialized store. Typically, the substrate for dendrobium includes pine bark, charcoal, coconut chips, sphagnum moss, but you can limit yourself to one bark.

Dendrobium fertilizer

Top dressing of the dendrobium is carried out during the period of active growth, twice a month from April to September, with liquid complex fertilizers for orchids. The concentration of top dressing should be two times weaker than that indicated in the instructions, since a stronger concentration can destroy the roots of the plant.

Besides general rule for all dendrobiums, types and varieties of warm content need to be fed monthly with phosphorus-potassium fertilizer even in winter, and cold content dendrobiums - 2-3 times a month with nitrogen fertilizers.

Dendrobium bloom

Dendrobium care during flowering

Each type of dendrobium has its own flowering time, and the duration is approximately 8-12 weeks. A difference in day and night temperatures of 5-7 degrees has a good effect on preparing the plant for flowering. In summer, this is a completely natural course of things in nature, but in winter, in a room heated around the clock ...

To achieve flowering, flower growers have such a trick: do not water the orchid until a new growth appears, but as soon as this growth stretches to 2-3 cm and takes its own roots, start watering the plant again; when growth catches up with old bulbs, watering is reduced to complete cessation, lower the temperature to 12 ºC (note that we are talking about a species such as dendrobium nobile, and this happens in winter) and do not water until the buds that appear begin to open, otherwise you will get babies instead of buds.

Dendrobium after flowering

When the dendrobium has faded, watering is gradually stopped, the peduncle is removed, and the flower is transferred to a cool place so that it rests a bit and prepares for a new flowering. The difference between winters in our latitudes and tropical winters can lead to the fact that on our dark winter window sills the dendrobium simply hibernates: it stops growing and freezes. This, of course, is not fatal for him, but it is better not to allow this.

In winter, when it dawns late and it gets dark early, which is unnatural for dendrobiums, use a phytolamp to artificially illuminate your orchid. Indeed, in nature, a dormant period is not provided for the dendrobium, it does something all the time: it grows roots, then leaves, then flower stalks. If in the fall your orchid still fell asleep, let it sleep: stop watering it and move it away from the heat source.

Dendrobium reproduction

Reproduction of dendrobium by dividing the bush

Reproduction of dendrobium at home is carried out only vegetatively - for example, by dividing a bush. This is done after the flowering of the dendrobium, simultaneously with the transplant: a large adult bush is removed from the pot, cleaned of the substrate, divided into parts, and the roots of the plant are first carefully unraveled, and then cut with a sharp sterile knife, what is not unraveled. Each division should have 2-3 mature bulbs and the same number of young growths. Slices are powdered with crushed charcoal or treated with garden pitch.

Propagation of dendrobium by cuttings

The pseudobulb is separated from the mother bush, cut into cuttings 10 cm long, the sections are treated with garden pitch. Then wet sphagnum moss is poured into plastic bags with a fastener, 1-2 cuttings are placed in each bag, the bag is fastened and stored in bright diffused light and a temperature of 22-25 ºC, ventilating daily and keeping the moss moist, but not wet. After 2-3 weeks, the cuttings will sprout roots, and they can be transplanted into a pot. Flowering plants will come in 2-3 years.

Types of dendrobium

There are a great many types and varieties of dendrobium, and it is too responsible to determine which of them are more beautiful. We offer you a choice of several species that seem to flower growers the most attractive for home cultivation:

Noble Dendrobium (Dendrobium nobile)

One of the most beautiful species, originating from the Himalayas and Vietnam. Thick glossy pseudobulbs up to 50 cm in length give in the second year peduncles with one to three large (up to 10 cm), bright, fragrant flowers. The natural species has white petals with purplish tips, a cream-colored lip with pink edging, and a dark purple throat. Hybrid varieties can bloom several times a year.

The Japanese endemic, a miniature copy of the noble dendrobium, reaches a height of only 15 cm. Not as demanding of care as other orchids, it can be a good experiment for a beginner grower.

Dendrobium densely colored (Dendrobium densiflorum)

Epiphyte from the Eastern Himalayas. Its dense drooping inflorescences-brushes up to 30 cm long sometimes bear 50 fragrant flowers with bright yellow petals and sepals and a yellow-orange, fringed lip, furry along the edge. A variety of this species, the racemose dendrobium (Dendrobium thyrsiflorum) has white or cream-colored petals.

Among the whole sea of ​​shapes and colors of graceful orchids Dendrobium nobile remains unique and unforgettable. This orchid blooms very unusually. Its trunk is literally strewn with large flowers of various colors from the base to the top. It attracts the attention of flower growers and the fact that caring for this species is not as difficult as for others. Having learned all the nuances of caring for a plant, even a novice orchidist will be able to cope with growing Dendrobium nobile at home.

Origin and appearance of the Dendrobium nobile orchid

The perennial herbaceous plant Dendrobium nobile belongs to the orchid family. Its second name, Noble Orchid, characterizes this wonderful flower as precisely as possible.

Like most representatives of the orchid family, Dendrobium nobile came to us from Asia. India, Bhutan, Assam, the Himalayas, Thailand, China - this is not a complete list of countries where this plant is found.

The translation of the name of this genus of orchids - "living on trees" - speaks for itself. These orchids lead an epiphytic lifestyle - they grow on other plants or are permanently attached to them. Dendrobium nobile grows in deciduous and evergreen tropical forests. But there are also lithophytes that adorn the harsh, moss-covered rocks.

Dendrobium nobile has a sympodial type of growth: from upright pseudobulbs, divided into segments, a thick juicy stem up to 90 cm high is formed. At first, a green, pseudobulb, by the end of life (after about 4 years), turns yellow and dies. But before that, babies are formed on its top, giving life to new plants.

Appearing in Europe in the 19th century, the plant instantly became incredibly popular. On its basis, they immediately began to develop new hybrids, which in our time can no longer be counted. For this reason, a real Dendrobium Nobile orchid cannot be found in a store.

Large, up to 9 cm in diameter, the flowers have a waxy texture. The color is varied - white, yellow, orange, deep purple. A distinctive feature of Dendrobium nobile hybrids is the special arrangement of peduncles. They are formed not at the top of the pseudobulb, but along its entire length. Inflorescences consist of 1 - 3 flowers. And the whole pseudobulb can be decorated with 70 flowers at the same time.

Care and reproduction of Dendrobium Nobile at home are not difficult. But this, of course, when compared with the complexity of keeping other species of the orchid family. Indeed, nobile does not need to shake over the Dendrobium and, as they say, blow off the dust particles from it. But you need to clearly understand that an orchid is not a simple geranium, but an exotic that requires increased attention and strict adherence to the rules of care. The florist who took the Dendrobium Nobile into his home is obliged to create an environment for the orchid that is as close as possible to the natural conditions of its habitat.

Advantages and disadvantages of an exotic flower

Among the advantages of this orchid, flower growers note beauty, a variety of shapes and colors, a pleasant aroma, and long flowering. And, of course, a non-capricious character compared to other orchids.

Among the shortcomings are intolerance to dry air, which complicates the care of Dendrobium Nobile at home in apartments with central heating.

Representatives of the orchid family are not very fond of transplanting, and Dendrobium nobile is no exception. The plant is transplanted 1 time in 3 years - and then out of urgent need:

• if the plant is sick;
• in case of compaction or salinization of the substrate;
• the plant grew strong, the pot became cramped.

Dendrobium nobile is transplanted in the spring, after flowering.

Soil composition

For planting or transplanting Dendrobium nobile, a soil mixture is required that conducts air and water well. The basis of such a mixture is pine bark of the middle fraction. In it, if desired, you can add chopped moss, coconut fiber. Be sure to include pieces of coal in the substrate, they will prevent the soil from acidifying.

You should also take into account the factor of illumination.

• if the plant is located on the south window, then more moss can be added to the mixture - it retains moisture longer;
• on the north window, on the contrary, the mixture should “breathe” more - it is better to add small pieces of foam plastic as a baking powder to the pine bark.

In which pot to move the plant

Dendrobium nobile is a rather large plant, especially adult specimens. Therefore, it is better to choose an air-permeable clay container with good drainage holes.

Before planting, clay containers must be prepared: ignited in the oven, allowed to cool and soaked in clean, settled water for 2 hours.

Now there are a lot of special ceramic orchid pots on sale, which have holes on the walls, which significantly improves gas exchange in the root system. The size of the pot should correspond to the size of the root system and only 2 cm larger than the diameter of the previous one.

How to transplant: a step-by-step description of the process

1. The old soil is completely removed from the root system of the plant. If this is difficult to do, the pot with the plant is soaked in water, and then the swollen substrate is very easily removed.
2. Examine the roots, remove damaged or broken ones. The wounds must be sprinkled with crushed coal and left for several hours in the air so that the damaged areas dry out.
3. At this time, a large layer of drainage is poured into a new container, and about 2-3 cm layer of substrate is on top. It is better to lay it in a slide so that it is more convenient to arrange the roots.
4. The orchid is placed exactly in the center of the dish, the remaining substrate is added on the sides. Pseudobulbs do not bury.
5. If the plant needs support, it must be installed and the orchid fixed on it.
6. The transplanted plant is sent to a shaded place with a temperature of 20 ° C.
7. After 2-3 days of adaptation, if there was no severe damage to the root system, the orchid can be watered.

Dendrobium nobile is grown not only in pots. Orchids placed on a block grow very well. A block is a material to which a plant can be attached. To do this, you can use the bark of a pine or cork oak, a block of a tree fern. Recently, this method of landing has become increasingly popular.

Video: the dendrobium has faded - you can transplant

What to do when caring for an orchid at home

Caring for the Dendrobium nobile is not as difficult as for some other types of orchids, but the plant requires you to strictly follow the basic rules.

An orchid will live and bloom with proper watering.

First, let's talk about the quality of the liquid. Water should be soft, filtered. You can use boiled and cooled. Its temperature should be several degrees above room temperature.

Each apartment has its own microclimate, therefore, under different conditions of detention, it is impossible to establish clear rules for watering: the grower must focus on the level of illumination and temperature of his own home. The hotter, the more generous watering should be, and, conversely, with a decrease in temperature, the intensity of moisture decreases.

Spring and summer watering is characterized by abundance, but not frequency. The bark that fills the pot must dry completely before the next moistening. In winter, water very carefully to avoid root rot.

The ideal moisturizing method still remains the immersion method, when the plant pot is immersed 1/3 in a container of water so that the roots and substrate are well nourished, then the excess moisture is allowed to drain.

Many flower growers recommend regularly bathing an orchid under a hot shower, the temperature of which is from 40 to 45 ° C. This procedure not only cleans the leaves, helping to improve gas exchange in the tissues, but also stimulates flowering. Be sure to soak the water in the axils of the leaves after a shower to avoid rotting.

How much to fertilize

Since the orchid grows in poor soil, it must be fertilized, but only at a certain time. Top dressing begins in the spring, when the active growth of the flower resumes, and continues during the flowering period. You should never forget how much and what kind of feeding Dendrobium Nobile needs. Only fertilizers intended for orchids should be used. Their rate is reduced by half from that indicated in the instructions. Fertilizers are applied at every 3rd watering. Foliar top dressing with a highly diluted fertilizer will not be superfluous. By alternating these methods, you will help the plant absorb nutrients as much as possible.

Dendrobium nobile has one feature. In spring, not only growth buds wake up, but also flower ones. Passion for nitrogen fertilizers will lead to the formation a large number children, flowering can not wait. Therefore, when the sprouts have reached almost half their size, discard nitrogen-containing top dressings in favor of those that include phosphorus.

Video: how not to fertilize a plant

Preparing for flowering

Dendrobium nobile blooms at different times of the year, this is due to the incredible number of hybrid forms. The flowering period takes a month, sometimes a little more. Its duration directly depends on the air temperature of the room in which the plant is contained. The higher it is, the sooner the orchids will bloom. The ideal temperature for flowering is 18 C.

Sometimes an orchid refuses to bloom. Why? This happens if you do not pay attention to the requirements of the plant for the conditions of detention. If you observe the correct combination of lighting, temperature and watering parameters, then there will be no problems with the development of flower buds.

1. From spring, lighting should be as bright as possible.
2. The temperature during the day is within 25 C and not higher, at night it is 3–5 C lower, otherwise the flower buds will be reborn into growth buds.
3. Watering is plentiful, with good drying of the substrate.
4. Don't overdo it with fertilizers. High concentrations can damage the roots.

After flowering, all flower stalks are removed. If there is a need for a transplant, do it. For a few days after transplanting, do not water the orchid to prevent the possible development of rot on the roots.

And most importantly - after flowering for an orchid, a period of rest must necessarily come.

Do not rush to remove old yellowed pseudobulbs. They will serve as food for young growing shoots. You can cut them off only after they dry. Do not forget to sprinkle the cut with crushed coal.

For Dendrobium Nobile to bloom actively, it needs a lot of light.

Video: careful care will make the orchid bloom

How to care when the dormant period has come

Dendrobium Nobile is a cyclic plant. It is necessary to create such conditions for the orchid so that it goes through all the cycles of its development provided by nature. The rest period is very important for a flower. It was at this time that he accumulates strength, begins preparing for the next flowering.

In our climatic conditions, the Dendrobium nobile is forced to go into winter rest. This is due to the decrease in light intensity.

1. The plant must be taken out to a room with a daytime temperature of 15 - 16 C, a night temperature of 10 - 12 C.
2. Watering stops. If the pseudobulbs begin to wrinkle, you can lightly spray the substrate and leaves.
3. It is not necessary to specially maintain humidity around the plant during this period.
4. After 2-3 weeks, flower buds should appear in the internodes of the pseudobulb.

After flowering, the orchid must rest

Table: seasonal requirements of the Noble Orchid to the conditions of detention

Table: the most common care errors, their elimination

Table: diseases and pests characteristic of Dendrobium nobile

The best prevention of Dendrobium Nobile against diseases and pests is proper care.

Photo gallery: recognize pests and diseases

Reproduction methods

Propagating Dendrobium nobile at home is not so easy. There are 3 proven methods to get an orchid to give offspring.

The division of the bush

An adult and healthy Dendrobium nobile orchid, which has at least 3 pseudobulbs, is subjected to this method of reproduction. Since the procedure for the plant is stressful, it is carried out no more than 1 time in 4 years, combined with a transplant. Divided only after the Dendrobium nobile has faded.

1. Before dividing the bush, the root system of the orchid must be well saturated with water so that the roots become more flexible and pliable.
2. We remove the plant from the pot, shake off the substrate. With a sharpened knife we ​​divide into parts so that each has 2 - 3 pseudobulbs with roots.
3. Slices are immediately covered with crushed coal.
4. We leave the delenki for a day in a slightly shaded place to dry the wounds.
5. We plant in a suitable soil mixture and care in the same way as after transplanting.
6. New plants will flower next year.

Why choose cuttings

This method is considered the easiest.

1. For cuttings, you need to cut off an old pseudobulb without leaves (plant stem) under the root and cut it into pieces. Each must have at least 1 dormant bud.
2. We process the cut points with coal dust.
3. We put the cuttings in a container filled with wet moss. We cover with a bag or glass to create greenhouse conditions inside.
4. We keep the greenhouse in bright diffused light, regularly moisten and ventilate.
5. The root system is formed in 2 - 3 weeks, and the children themselves grow very quickly.

Reproduction by children

Dendrobium nobile forms a lot of children, including those from reborn flower buds.

Try to keep the babies on the mother plant as long as possible. This is necessary in order for the root system to grow.

When the shoots reach 8 cm in size, they can be carefully separated from the mother plant with a knife.

Treat cut points with activated charcoal.

After a day, independent young plants can be planted in the substrate.

The dendrobium orchid from the southern regions of Asia fell into the hands of botanists, and later lovers of exotic cultures, at the dawn of the 19th century. To date, several dozen species of these spectacular plants have been described, and in nature they are extremely rare, and some are even classified as endangered representatives of the flora.

The situation is completely different with orchids that are specially bred or acclimatized for growing indoors. This is one of the most sought after plants from the orchid family. Dendrobium nobile is considered a recognized favorite among flower growers - with powerful juicy shoots, light green elliptical foliage and beautiful fragrant flowers. Plants of this species were first brought to the Old World in the first half of the century before last. And for the beauty, the dendrobium deserved an addition to the species name, which in translation means “noble”, “excellent”, “famous” (see).

But besides visual appeal, these orchids have another advantage, highly valued by lovers of potted plants. They simply adapt to indoor conditions, and caring for a dendrobium orchid at home is within the power of even an inexperienced enthusiast.

Features of the dendrobium orchid

Dendrobium orchids are predominantly epiphytes that do not live on the ground in nature, but lead an existence, attached to the trunks, roots and branches of woody plants. Orchids of this genus belong to the sympodial type, that is, they form new leaf rosettes on rhizomes at the base of the old one.

Dendrobium shoots, at first erect, and with prolonged growth becoming decumbent, are covered with elliptical or linear leaves. During its life, lasting from 2 to 4 years, the dendrobium pseudobulb reaches a length of one and a half meters, and then becomes bare and, having given daughter rosettes, dies off.

In the axils of alternately growing foliage, the beginnings of inflorescences or new shoots are formed, which are easy to use when cuttings to propagate the Denbrobium orchid. The flowers are united in tall racemose inflorescences, on which, depending on the type and maturity of the plant, from 5 to 20 corollas can open.

The shape of dendrobium nobile orchid flowers and their unique palette does not leave indifferent even connoisseurs of this culture. Today you can find and grow plants with white, lilac, orange and even variegated flowers in the room. That is why this species is the most valuable for flower growers around the world.

What are the conditions for keeping orchids derdrobium nobile and home care for representatives of this unique genus?

Growing conditions for dendrobium orchids

Getting into the house from the store, dendrobium nobile and orchids of similar species bloom beautifully and often seem to the new owner to be ideal, completely non-capricious. But without proper care for the orchid, the dendrobium nobile at home, most likely, will not be able to bloom again and will probably die.

The fact is that in greenhouses where plants are grown for commercial purposes, growth stimulants and long-acting fertilizers are used, which provide the flower with a supply of nutrients and strength for several months. The sooner the plant gets into suitable conditions and feels the care of the grower, the longer it will be able to delight others with amazing flowering, lasting up to 8 weeks. ()

In nature, dendrobiums are plants with pronounced seasonality. In their development cycle there are periods of active growth, flowering and dormancy. And for each such time period, you will have to create your own conditions.

The Dendrobium, a rainforest orchid, needs long-term bright, but not direct, light. At home, this can be achieved on the windows of the south, southeast or southwest direction. In other places, when caring for a dendrobium orchid, you will have to take care of.

In the warm season, the plant easily tolerates being kept outdoors, on a balcony or loggia, it is only important that the temperature does not fall below 10-12 ° C, and the scorching rays of the sun do not fall on the flower.

If the plant lacks light, the dendrobium signals a lack of flowering and a dark shade of foliage. With an excess of sun, the foliage brightens, turns yellow, and fades in the hot season.

During the period of active growth during the summer months, the Dendrobium thrives at 25 ° C during the day and 20 ° C at night. Hot, dry weather causes the plant to slow down and sometimes stop growing. At this time, one watering is not enough. The flower also responds positively to irrigation with warm purified water.

With the onset of autumn, the temperature during the day should be 15-20 ° C, at night the air should be additionally cooled to 7-12 ° C. The lighting at this time does not change, but the cool flower should be watered much less frequently. If the care of the derdrobium orchid, as in the photo, is carried out correctly at home, this stimulates the formation of flower buds and the growth of peduncles. As soon as there are signs of approaching flowering, the pot is transferred to heat.

For an orchid in a heated room, it is important to maintain not only the temperature regime and take care of proper lighting. Dendrobium orchid needs high humidity. And if in summer the plant is comfortable in natural conditions, then in winter you will have to use household humidifiers or put the pot on a pallet with wet gravel or moss.

Dendrobium: orchid care at home

In order for the plant to bloom profusely and grow, giving new pseudo-bulbs, it must feel the constant care and support of the grower. Dendrobium orchid care includes:

• regular watering;
• irrigation and shower on especially hot days.

The plant receives especially frequent watering throughout the entire period of flowering and growth. But here it must be borne in mind that the constant presence in a humid environment for orchid roots is unacceptable. The substrate should dry out between waterings.

The best method of watering is immersion in filtered water, which is a couple of degrees warmer than the surrounding air. At the same time, soil moistening can be combined with top dressing by adding liquid orchid fertilizer to the water.

You can stimulate flowering by regulating watering and nutrient intake to the roots. With the end of the growing season, watering is reduced, and top dressing is completely canceled until flower buds appear on the plant again. The early resumption of the usual summer care for the dendrobium orchid does not activate the development of buds, but the growth of daughter rosettes.

Transplantation and propagation of dendrobium orchids

Like other indoor orchids, the dendrobium does not respond well to frequent transplants, so this procedure is carried out no more than after 2-3 years.

A dendrobium orchid transplant is needed for several reasons:

• with the growth of roots that displace the substrate from the pot;
• when rot or pests are detected;
• when the quality deteriorates and the substrate decomposes inside the container.

The plant needs a special coarse-grained soil, which can be bought at a store or made independently from fine expanded clay, crushed moss, coconut fiber, charcoal and conifer bark.

Transplantation is an excellent occasion for vegetative propagation of the dendrobium orchid. You can get young plants in two ways:

• using for planting child rosettes formed on top of an adult pseudobulb;
• having received sprouts from the lateral dormant buds of the shoot cut into cuttings.

If the orchid is large enough, you can divide the bush. But at the same time, at least three juicy pseudobulbs are left in each new plant. Old shoots that have lost their elasticity form roots worse and take longer to acclimatize.

For denbrobium orchid cuttings and small rosettes rooted in the substrate, greenhouse conditions are suitable. In bright light, in warmth, plants quickly form roots for independent life. It is possible to transplant shoots into the ground when several rhizomes with a length of 3 to 5 cm appear.

Features of caring for a dendrobium orchid - video

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 that this type of orchid be found 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 needed during winter and spring (if the pseudobulbs start 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