Dendrobiums Orchids

Anyone who tries to cultivate orchids usually starts with Dendrobiums. These orchids are easy to cultivate and produce abundant, colorful flowers. In fact, a single Dendrobiums plant can have hundreds of blooms.

There are over 1000 species of Dendrobiums orchids and new ones are still being discovered in New Guinea. Although they vary considerably in their stems and leaves, Dendrobium flowers have a characteristic shape and are usually purple, yellow, or pink.

Because of the large number of species, Dendrobuim flowers come in all sizes and do well in a variety of conditions. Some Dendrobiums require warmth and moisture, while others will not flower unless they have been exposed to frost.

Dendrobuims are native to southeast Asia and can be found in their natural habitat from northern India to the islands of New Guinea and Polynesia. This range encompasses approximately the area straddling the equator between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.

Although the climate at these latitudes is usually hot and moist, the higher altitudes can experience considerable variety in the weather patterns. This accounts for the wide variety of Dendrobiums orchids that grow in the wild.

Growing Dendrobuim Orchids

Dendrobuims should have plenty of light but keep them out of direct sunlight or else they may scorch. During the winter months, especially if you live in a northern climate, expose them to artificial lighting to extend their light exposure. This will help the new growth to ripen and provide flowers for the coming spring.

Although Dendrobium need plenty of light during the winter months, they should receive no water at all from mid-November to February. If the Dendrobuims are not kept completely dry during this period, they will not flower in the following spring.

Watering Dendrobiums

The only exception that can be made to this rule is if you have an extremely dry environment, for example a home heated with central heating. In this situation you can mist the orchids once a month or give them a single soaking every eight weeks.

Growth will begin in February at which point the orchids can start to receive more frequent waterings. From February to June, the Dendrobuims orchids can be watered about every week or two as the new roots start to form from the new shoots.

By June, waterings can increase to twice a week in the schedule can continue until November. This cycle of dry and wet periods during the year imitates the Dendrobuims natural habitat of Southeast Asia.

Dendrobium Orchid This lovely orchid has several delicate blossoms on a long stalk. As one of the easiest orchids to grow, it's one of the easiest choices to make.