Aussie Dens

[orchidsarefun]

from photos these are floriferous and spectacular. Mine has grown really well outdoors. Sunset Valley Orchids has a wide range for sale.
I am curious - has anyone got theirs to bloom ? what did you have to do to the plant ?

[sbrofio]

Hi, you mean D. speciosum? As I know, they need some cold rest period (almost 5/6°C for 4 weeks more or less)

[orchidsarefun]

yes, that is one. I have mine outdoors and minimum temps are around that 5c/41f now.

Sunset Valley Orchids - Superior Hybrids for Orchid Enthusiasts

[WhiteRabbit]

I have kingi, specio-kingianum, a noid kingi hybrid that all bloom fine to spectacularly (the kingi is spectacular - but has a lot more growth than the others). Earlier this year I got a speciosum, so waiting to see about that blooming for me; and a couple of kingi hybrids -Jonathan's Glory, in bud in June when I got it, bloomed again in September, has a couple of spikes growing now, plus lots of nodes swelling; and another who's name escapes me right now, but I don't think it's bloom size yet.

So far, my experience has been "easy" - I am able to grow them outdoors year-round. I think if you can give them good light while they are growing in spring - summer, and cool enough night temps late summer - fall to initiate spikes they should be alright - tho my only experience is outdoors growing year-round for these ...

I do not give mine a dry "rest" (we'll see how the specio does), but do allow mine to be a bit dry in winter, tho mine may be out in quite low (for an orchid) temps, so I don't want them to be "wet" during freezing mornings. Mine are usually developing/growing spikes during winter, so I always figured I don't want the plant being really dry at that point. I also fertilize normally year-round.

[AJW]

Not that I want to write a novel here but Aussie Dendrobiums are a passion of mine:
Aussie dendrobiums are obviously very popular down under (NZ) some we can even grow out side in sheltered from frost areas and others will grow in the forks of trees. However you need to know what is in the breading of each plant as some need higher night time temp. requirements. (Orchid wiz provides good cultural notes)
I find that I will have at least one out in flower all year round.
There are also a number of quirks that come with this genera. I am happy to share those that I know but to get them all there is a great book written by the Late Walter Upton on Aussie Dendrobiums that is worth having if you intend to grow a number of these orchids. Here are two "quirks"
Quirk #1 Those with Den Speciosium in their immediate background tend to flower every second year with plant growth in the in-between year.
Quirk #2 to bring a number of the Dendrobium genera into spike you withhold watering for between 5 to 7 weeks (end of winter) this then allows them to bloom through the spring.

[orchidsarefun]

Hmm. Mine does have speciosum in its background, has already skipped a year and did put on a number of growths. In fact it has another 3 right now that are still growing on. Thanks for the info and great photos.

[AJW]

You are welcome.
You should also get some nice perfume when in full flower day temp dependent

[sbrofio]

Hi AJV! What's the Name of the third one ? Here in Italy We (me and some Friends of mine) are looking for D. Speciosum But the yellow form. It looks like there is only the white one.

[AJW]

The third photo is Den, Avrils Gold (Den Aussie Child x Den. speciosum)
Den, speciosum var. compactum tends to be yellow.
Good luck with your search.

[sbrofio]

Thank you!!