If you’re looking for an orchid that brings both stunning looks and a wonderful scent to your home, look no further than the dendrobium. The dendrobium – exotic and fragrant orchid is a fantastic choice for both new and experienced growers.
This large group of plants offers incredible variety. You’ll find blooms in almost every color imaginable. Their fragrance can range from sweet honey to sharp citrus. And with proper care, they can thrive and flower for you year after year.
Dendrobium – Exotic and Fragrant Orchid
Dendrobiums are one of the largest genera in the orchid family. With over a thousand species, they naturally grow in diverse places. You can find them from the high Himalayas to tropical lowlands in Southeast Asia and Australia. This means their care can vary, but don’t let that intimidate you. Most types sold for home growers have similar, simple needs.
Why Choose a Dendrobium Orchid?
There are several great reasons to add a dendrobium to your collection:
- Long-Lasting Blooms: The flowers can stay open for six weeks or more, providing a long show.
- Wonderful Scents: Many varieties perfume the air, especially in the morning or evening.
- Architectural Form: Their tall, cane-like stems (called pseudobulbs) add greenery even when not in flower.
- Relatively Forgiving: They are generally more tolerant of occasional mistakes than some other orchids.
Main Types of Dendrobium Orchids
Knowing which type you have is key to correct care. They are often split into two main groups.
1. Nobile-Type Dendrobiums
These are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves. They have soft canes and often flower directly from the stem. They need a distinct cool, dry rest period in winter to trigger blooming. You’ll often see them covered in clusters of pink, white, or purple flowers.
2. Phalaenopsis-Type Dendrobiums
These are evergreen, keeping their leaves. They produce long flower spikes from the top of their tall, hard canes. Their blooms resemble moth orchids (Phalaenopsis). They do not require a drastic winter rest, just slightly less water.
Your Step-by-Step Care Guide
Here is a straightforward guide to keeping your dendrobium healthy and encouraging it to rebloom.
Light: The Key to Growth and Flowers
Dendrobiums love bright, indirect light. An east or west-facing window is ideal. A south-facing window is good too, but you might need a sheer curtain to prevent leaf scorch on hot summer days.
Signs of correct light: The leaves should be a medium green color. If they are dark green, it needs more light. If they are yellowish or have brown scorch marks, it’s getting to much direct sun.
Watering: Finding the Balance
How often you water depends on the season and your plant’s type. The golden rule is to let the potting mix dry out almost completely between waterings.
- During active growth (spring and summer), water about once a week.
- Water thoroughly until it runs freely from the drainage holes.
- Never let the pot sit in standing water, as this causes root rot.
- For nobile types in winter, reduce watering to once every two weeks or less, just enough to stop the canes from shriveling.
Potting Mix and Repotting
Dendrobiums need excellent drainage. They are usually epiphytes, meaning they grow on trees in nature, not in soil.
- Use a specialized orchid bark mix, not regular potting soil.
- Repot every 2-3 years, or when the mix breaks down and becomes soggy.
- Choose a pot that’s only slightly larger than the root ball; they like to be snug.
- The best time to repot is just after flowering or when you see new roots starting to grow.
Temperature and Humidity
Most common dendrobiums enjoy intermediate to warm temperatures.
- Daytime: 70-85°F (21-29°C)
- Nighttime: A drop of 10-15 degrees is beneficial, especially for nobile types.
- Humidity: Aim for 50-60%. You can use a humidity tray or a room humidifier if your air is dry.
Feeding Your Orchid
Feed regularly during the growing season for best results.
- Use a balanced, water-soluble orchid fertilizer (like 20-20-20).
- Dilute it to half the strength recommended on the label.
- Apply “weekly, weakly” – meaning a weak solution once a week.
- Flush the pot with plain water once a month to prevent fertilizer salt buildup.
- Stop feeding during the winter rest period for nobile types.
Getting Your Dendrobium to Rebloom
This is the most common question growers have. If your plant has healthy growth but won’t flower, check these factors.
- Insufficient Light: This is the number one cause. Move it to a brighter location.
- Missing the Rest Period (for Nobile types): In late fall, reduce water and stop fertilizer. Provide cooler nights (55-60°F). Resume normal care when you see new flower buds forming.
- Needs Repotting: An old, broken-down mix can stress the plant and hinder blooming.
Common Problems and Simple Solutions
Even with great care, you might encounter an issue. Here’s how to fix common problems.
Yellowing Leaves
Lower leaves yellowing and falling off on a nobile type is normal before its rest. Widespread yellowing can mean overwatering, to much direct sun, or a need for fertilizer.
No Flowers
As mentioned, check light first, then ensure you’re providing the correct seasonal care for your dendrobium type. Patience is also key; a plant needs to be mature and strong enough to bloom.
Wrinkled Canes
This usually indicates underwatering or a lack of roots (often from overwatering in the past). Check the roots and adjust your watering schedule. Wrinkled canes may plump up slightly but often stay somewhat wrinkled.
Pests
Watch for mealybugs (white cottony spots) or scale (brown bumps). Wipe them off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For larger infestations, use an insecticidal soap.
Propagating Your Plant
You can create new plants from your dendrobium. The easiest method is by removing “keikis” (Hawaiian for “baby”). These are small plantlets that sometimes form on the nodes of the cane. Wait until the keiki has several roots that are 2-3 inches long. Then, carefully cut it off with a sterile knife and pot it in a small container with fresh orchid bark.
FAQ About Dendrobium Orchids
How often does a dendrobium orchid bloom?
Most types bloom once a year, typically in spring or early summer. With excellent care, some may produce a second, smaller flush of flowers later in the year.
Should I cut the flower spike after blooming?
For phalaenopsis-types, you can cut the spike just below the last flower if it turns brown. If it stays green, you can cut it back to a node, as it may rebloom. For nobile-types, the flowers appear directly on the cane, so no spike is cut.
Why are the leaves falling off my dendrobium?
For nobile dendrobiums, leaf drop in late fall is completely normal before its winter rest. For evergreen types, leaf loss can signal stress from overwatering, cold drafts, or disease.
Can I grow dendrobiums outdoors?
Yes, in warm climates (USDA zones 10-12) they can grow on trees or in shaded patios. In temperate zones, you can put them outside in dappled shade for the summer, but bring them in well before nighttime temperatures drop below 50°F.
How long do the flowers last on a fragrant dendrobium?
Individual blooms can last four to six weeks on the plant. The scent is often strongest during the warmer parts of the day to attract pollinators.
Caring for a dendrobium orchid is a rewarding experience. By providing the right light, a careful watering routine, and the correct seasonal changes, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying its exotic and fragrant flowers for many seasons. Start with a healthy plant from a reputable nursery, and observe how it responds to you care in your specific home environment. With a little attention, it will thrive.