Potting media for Dendrobium

[aliceinwl]

I have a Dendrobium Roy Tokunaga and a Dendrobium Little Atro. They're both potted up in a media that seems to predominantly large chunk perlite with a little peat moss or similar material. I bought them back in March and the vendors indicated that they wouldn't need re-potting for awhile. They've been holding pretty much steady with not a lot of new growth. The media they're in drys very quickly so I was watering them every 2-3 days over the summer but have scaled back now that temperatures are cooler.

I'm wondering how these would fair in a bark mix and is there a good time to repot? The Dendrobium nobile and Dendrobium phalaeopsis types I have in bark seem much happier. The Dendrobium moschatum bare root keiki I bought this summer also seems to be establishing quickly in bark with two new canes already forming at the base which is more activity than I've seen from the Dendrobium Roy Tokunaga and Little Atro.

[Dollythehun]

In pot mine in medium bark but something more moisture retentive might be better, as I water as often as you. I'm going to try some smaller bark with a little moss mixed in. The best time to pot is when you see new roots. My plants will soon be coming into their bloom cycle. So I'll be waiting on repotting. Also, they seem to like a tight pot.

[aliceinwl]

Thanks! I’m inclined to switch mine over to small bark then and maybe just return them to their original pots. Mine also have spikes just starting to form but only on the new canes of which each plant only has one. Hopefully the change in media will spur better growth next year.

[Dollythehun]

Be patient, the older spikes should also rebloom.

[POLKA]

repot after they are finished blooming, not while spikes are forming.

They like to dry out between waterings.

Be patient and wait.

R

[Leafmite]

I looked them both up and they are very pretty! Good luck with them!