Help: Dendrobium speciosum

[cuongland]

I have just gotten the small plant named "Dendrobium speciosum var speciosum" with bare root from Australia. Right now, I just use some sphagnum and small bark. Is it OK for it? Anyone knows how long i can see the first bloom. How can it grow quickly? Thank you for your help.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by cuongland

I have just gotten the small plant named "Dendrobium speciosum var speciosum" with bare root from Australia. Right now, I just use some sphagnum and small bark. Is it OK for it?

I'd be inclided to take the sphagnum out of the mix bark. I grow my speciosums in 2 parts bark to 1 part lava rock with a slightly coarser mix than I'd use for my other Dendrobiums.

Anyone knows how long i can see the first bloom.

They take about 10-15 years to flower with good conditions. They can sometimes bloom a little earlier depending on the breeding.

How can it grow quickly? Thank you for your help.

Other than good culture (lots of light, cool winter) you'll just need patience. Maybe you could use a high nitrogen fertilizer year round so the plant can put all of its resources into growth.

[SP2340]

Originally Posted by Andrew

I'd be inclide to use take the sphagnum out of the mix bark. I grow my speciosums in 2 parts bark to 1 part lava rock with a slightly coarser mix than I'd use for my other Dendrobiums.

I have a Dendrobium speciosum v. curvicaule. I planted it in a basket with moss, it's been in there for a year and it's growing fine... i think. Is it ok for this species?

Originally Posted by Andrew

They take about 10-15 years to flower with good conditions. They can sometimes bloom a little earlier depending on the breeding.

10-15 years!? OMG! It's not the same for the Dendrobium speciosum v. curvicaule is it?

[cuongland]

Originally Posted by SP2340

I have a Dendrobium speciosum v. curvicaule. I planted it in a basket with moss, it's been in there for a year and it's growing fine... i think. Is it ok for this species?

10-15 years!? OMG! It's not the same for the Dendrobium speciosum v. curvicaule is it?

Only using moss,i think, is good idea. I may put some more moss for my orchid.

10-15 years :-s. I've heard about that.

[cuongland]

Originally Posted by Andrew

I'd be inclide to use take the sphagnum out of the mix bark. I grow my speciosums in 2 parts bark to 1 part lava rock with a slightly coarser mix than I'd use for my other Dendrobiums.



They take about 10-15 years to flower with good conditions. They can sometimes bloom a little earlier depending on the breeding.



Other than good culture (lots of light, cool winter) you'll just need patience. Maybe you could use a high nitrogen fertilizer year round so the plant can put all of its resources into growth.

To Andrew: Thank you for your help, Can you give me a little more detail please?
1. How many new canes per year do they grow?
2. Up to now, how many canes do your plants have?
3. Can you tell me exactly the fertilizer used? Can I use Miracle-Gro 24-8-16 , Is it fine for them?

Further, I read some somewhere, they told me if my orchid that is grown from seed. it need a long time as you said. However, if it is divided from big plant, it only need 3 to 5 years. Is it correct?

Finally, can you tell me the environment you use? temperature and humidity, as well as the light? Because i put them on the windowsill. Based on your suggestion, may i need a humidifier or a light-ball?

Again, thank you for your answer

[Weebl]

I've heard grandiflorums take the longest, sometimes 20-25 years from flask, while some clones of blackdownense and pedunculatum prove to be some of the quicker varieties to flower, only taking 6-7 years.

[cuongland]

Originally Posted by Weebl

I've heard grandiflorums take the longest, sometimes 20-25 years from flask, while some clones of blackdownense and pedunculatum prove to be some of the quicker varieties to flower, only taking 6-7 years.

To Weebl: Do you have any? and I have to say: WOW, 6 to 7 years is still very long time for me

[Bloomin_Aussie]

Yeah, they are not particularly fast growing. From flask they will take AGES to flower as Andrew said but a division may yield results much sooner depending on its size. A good sized plant will have much more resources to produce more growths but it obviously takes many years to reach that point.

How big is the plant you have at the moment? A mature plant has pseudobulbs that are up to 40cm long and about 3-4cm diameter. Not something you can generally grow on a window sill as a mature plant.

They like lots of light like most Dendrobiums and very good drainage. I would opt for no sphagnum and stick to bark and rock/perlite. Naturally they will grow in temperatures from about 50F up to 100F or there abouts. Generally tough and will take a lot of direct sun. Your Miracle-Gro should be fine to use. I usually dilute my fertilisers a bit more than the recommended strength though.

[s1214215]

I had a Curvicaule bloom in 5 years. Depends on the plants and breeding I think.

Brett

[Eythan]

i'm in the same boat as cuongland i think

i have one (i think, no ID, but it's a pretty recognisable species) with three canes about 30cm high.

i'm also interested to know how many canes per year and how long till flowering