Dendrobium orchid plant care instructions
Many people feel that orchids are tricky plants to care for and, in some cases, this can prove true. However, the dendrobium orchid will not necessarily make you work too hard in order to achieve amazing results. With the following care instructions, you can be sure that your beautiful orchid will thrive, grow and produce the most amazing blooms year after year.
Consider their natural preferences
Just like other plants, when growing a dendrobium orchid, you want to make sure that you consider the natural environment in which it grows without human intervention. These particular plants are known for enjoying higher levels of humidity. They also grow in trees which means that their roots are not tucked away in soil. They prefer indirect sunlight and they do not enjoy particularly cold conditions either.
Prepare their new home
When you buy or receive a dendrobium orchid, you want to take the time to prepare their new home properly. This means that you need to select the right spot in your home to accommodate its natural needs. In addition, the plant should already be placed in a pot with a bed of dead wood chips. You will find that your nursery will have bags of potting mix specially formulated for orchids. The area in which you place the plant should offer sufficient ventilation and the pot itself should have plenty of holes in the bottom for drainage. Remember, when this plant is attached to a tree in its natural environment, it will not have its roots constantly resting in damp soil. So, if you use the wrong potting mix, it can result in the roots rotting and the plant will perish. The holes in the bottom of the pot also ensure that there is sufficient air flow around the roots.
Added humidity
While you do not want to overdo it in terms of watering you dendrobium orchid, you do want to ensure that their immediate surroundings are humid. You can do this by placing the pot on a drip tray with a layer of pebbles. You can add some water to the tray but not too much. The pebbles form a barrier so that the potting mix does not constantly absorb water. The water in the tray will slowly evaporate and increase the humidity levels around the plant. Another option is to place a glass or bowl of water next to the plant and top it up as needed.
Position the container
Throughout the year, the weather will change depending on the season. As such, you may need to shift your orchid’s position accordingly. This is in order to ensure that your plant receives enough natural light. While they can be grown under artificial lights, they do prefer those natural rays.
Seasonal spot
If you are able to place your dendrobium orchid outside during the warmer months of the year, this will be perfect for their overall health and happiness. You can place the plant in a hanging basket and hang it from a suitable tree. It will enjoy plenty of indirect sunlight and rainwater will always benefit the plant. Of course, if harsh weather arrives, you should bring the plant indoors until any storms pass.
Extra nutrition
From time to time, just like other plants, your dendrobium orchid will benefit from some extra nutrients. A specially formulated orchid fertilizer will prove extremely beneficial for their overall health and continued growth. Considering the fact that the plant will eventually deplete the nutrients in the potting mix and, you can either repot it or add fertilizer. The latter will prove least invasive.
Don’t overdo it
While your dendrobium orchid will require regular care and attention, it’s important not to overdo it. There is no need to water daily, for example. You can take a look at the leaves of the plant just to make sure it’s getting enough light and water.
With these basic care tips, your dendrobium orchid will look amazing and produce gorgeous blooms for years to come. Remember, when the time comes to move the plant into a larger pot, you should not use one that’s too big. Simply move up a size or two at most. If you use a pot that is too large, your orchid may not continue to thrive and it may not even survive.