Dendrobium....Phalaenopsis or Nobile

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by Duane McDowell

Sounds perfect. I've rarely seen one underpotted. One trick with Dens in general is that I don't like to repot until the new growths are aboout 1/8 of the way up.

One eighth of the highest cane? Because The new growths are starting to grow over the edge almost half way over the edge if the pot. If it does need repotting, the cane will be more and one eighth the size of the biggest cane by the time the bloom is done. Thanks. Alot

[Call_Me_Bob]

Which of the following fertilizers should i use, and how often?

miracle grow 20-20-20
schultz 10-15-10
peters special 15-30-15

[Duane McDowell]

I don't like repotting when they're in bloom. If the new growth is going to be able to put most of its roots into the pot, I'd wait. If not, I'd go ahead and repot anyway. I would put a bamboo or metal stake in the pot and tie the largest mature growth to that for stability so that the repotting causes the least possible disruption.

[Call_Me_Bob]

thanks alot!! that helps how often do you water phal type dens?

[RosieC]

I water mine on a similar schedule to my Phals, which for me means somewhere arround once a week.

I think they can be just slightly wetter than phals but I keep mine about the same.

[Call_Me_Bob]

slighty wetter than phals? ok

[RosieC]

Yes, Dens do like a drier winter although the Dens Phal types don't need to be kept dormant like others do.

I let the media guide my watering and keep them about the same all year, it's just that they need less water to keep the medium at the same level in the winter.

[VickiLB]

Those buds definitely are a Den-Phal and by the way keep them dry during winter -spring and cool temps. Begin to water and fertilize when you see growth.

[Call_Me_Bob]

thanks i can see buds on mine now

[Call_Me_Bob]

here is my den. outside in its summer home