Dendrobium noble: care in indoor conditions. Dendrobium orchid - care and propagation at home, photo White Dendrobium

Dendrobium is an unpretentious, beautifully flowering orchid. An epiphytic species with lanceolate leaves and large, showy flowers of a wide variety of colors. Despite the wide variety of species, they all have one thing in common - the tube-shaped base of the flowers.

Depending on the type, the height of the plant can vary from 20-30 cm to 1 meter. The dendrobium orchid is native to the tropical rainforests of Thailand, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

Also see how to grow orchids like and.

	The growth rate is high. Every year a new pseudobulb grows up to 70 cm.
	Blooms in summer with proper care.
	The plant is easy to grow. One of the easiest orchids to grow.
	It is a perennial plant.

Dendrobium: care at home. Briefly

Dendrobium orchid at home requires strict adherence to the rules of care:

Caring for dendrobium at home. Details

Caring for a dendrobium orchid at home cannot be called difficult, but it still has a number of features.

Dendrobium orchid blooming

Dendrobium blooms after a short period of dormancy. Peduncles appear only on 2-3 year old bulbs. The total duration of the flowering period is 2-3 weeks. The number of flowers directly depends on the temperature and light intensity during the dormant period.

After flowering, old bulbs are not cut off. They should dry naturally. In this case, the nutrients accumulated in them will be absorbed by the remaining shoots.

New varieties of dendrobiums can bloom without a dormant period. The process of ripening and formation of bulbs continues in winter. The main thing is to provide the plant with the necessary lighting.

Temperature

The homemade dendrobium orchid develops well at normal room temperature. At the same time, it is desirable for her to ensure a difference between day and night temperatures. Lower temperatures at night promote the ripening of shoots and the formation of flower buds.

Spraying

All modern varieties of dendrobiums are perfectly adapted to the usual level of humidity in residential premises. Therefore, as a rule, they do not require spraying.

Lighting

The dendrobium orchid plant at home requires intense lighting. Varieties with dark-colored flowers are especially demanding in terms of light levels. In autumn and winter, southern windows are best suited for dendrobium.

In the summer, the plant must be moved to the east or west side.

Watering dendrobium orchids

Watering of dendrobium is carried out using the immersion method. To do this, place the pot in a cup of warm water for 15-20 minutes. Irrigation water must be settled or filtered before use. Once a month, watering is replaced with a warm shower.

The frequency of watering depends on the ambient temperature. In summer the plant is watered much more often, in winter very rarely. If the orchid is kept in the cold, watering is stopped completely. In case of severe wrinkling of the bulbs, simply spray it with warm water. In general, the substrate in the pot should dry completely between waterings.

Dendrobium orchid pot

For young orchids, choose small transparent pots made of plastic. To prevent the plants from turning over, several stones are placed at the bottom. Heavy, ceramic flowerpots are suitable for planting large, heavily grown specimens.

Priming

Dendrobium orchid is grown at home on a substrate of bark and moss. The soil mixture is prepared at the rate of 1 part crushed moss to 1 part bark, plus a small amount of pieces of charcoal and peat. Before planting, the substrate must be spilled with boiling water.

Feeding and fertilizer

To feed dendrobium, use special fertilizers for orchids. They are applied in the form of solutions every 3 or 4 waterings. If necessary, foliar sprays can also be used. During the dormant period, fertilizers are not used.

Transplanting a dendrobium orchid

Dendrobium orchid transplantation is carried out after the flower stalks dry out at the moment when the plant begins to grow intensively. The need for transplantation is determined by the condition of the substrate. If it has decomposed, become salty, or mold has appeared on its surface, the plant must be replanted.

During transplantation, pay attention to the condition of the root system. All rotten and blackened areas of roots must be cut back to healthy tissue. The resulting cut areas must be sprinkled with charcoal powder or cinnamon. In some cases, the plant may even need a smaller pot after root treatment.

After transplantation, the plant is not watered for a week.

Trimming

Dendrobium does not need special pruning. If necessary, completely dried stems and leaves are removed from the plant.

Rest period

For the mass formation of flower buds, the plant needs a period of rest. To do this, after growth has finished, the dendrobium is transferred to dry conditions at night temperatures no higher than +15-18°. In this case, the plant must be well lit. In such conditions, the flower is kept for at least 1.5 months.

During this period, the dendrobium is not watered. To prevent the bulbs from wrinkling, the shoots are sprayed with cool, pre-settled water 1-2 times a week.

Propagation of dendrobium orchid by dividing the bush

When transplanted, strongly overgrown dendrobium specimens can be divided into several parts. Each of them must have at least 3 well-developed, healthy bulbs. In some cases, it is allowed to leave a smaller number of shoots. But such plants, as a rule, take much longer to take root.

The sections formed after division must be dried and treated with charcoal powder or a weak solution of brilliant green. The cuttings are planted in a substrate for adult plants. During the first week they are only sprayed. In the future, they are watered little by little and very carefully. The usual watering regime is resumed only when the plants begin to grow.

After 2-3 weeks from planting, they can be fed with special fertilizer for orchids.

Propagation of dendrobium orchid by cuttings

At home, cuttings can be used for propagation. They are cut from shoots that have ripened but have never bloomed. Faded pseudobulbs with dormant buds remaining on them are also suitable for propagation. If the shoot is too long, it is cut into several pieces about 10 cm long. All resulting sections must be processed. If the shoot is short, it is used entirely.

For rooting, prepare bags with wet moss. Prepared cuttings are placed in them. After this, the packages are hung in a well-lit, warm place. After a few weeks, babies begin to develop on the pseudobulbs. As soon as the young plants form root primordia, they are carefully separated.

For planting children, small greenhouses with substrate for adult plants are used. High humidity promotes accelerated root development. The disadvantage of this method of propagation is that plants obtained in this way will bloom no earlier than after 3-4 years.

Reproduction of dendrobium orchids by children

Babies are periodically formed on the pseudobulbs of dendrobium. They can be used for reproduction. The children are separated after the rudiments of roots develop on them. On average, this takes about a year. Using a sharp knife, they are cut off with a small piece of the mother stem or separated with a twisting motion. The resulting sections must be dried for several hours and then treated with a solution of brilliant green.

Children with well-developed roots are planted in small pots with a regular substrate for dendrobiums. The first few days they are not watered, but only sprayed. In the future, they do not need to create any special conditions; ordinary care is quite enough. Such plants, if grown correctly, can bloom as early as next year.

Diseases and pests

Due to errors in care, an orchid can suffer from a number of diseases:

The most common pests that attack dendrobium are spider mites, whiteflies, aphids, and scale insects. To combat them, it is necessary to use special insecticides.

Types of orchid dendrobium domestica with photos and names

In indoor floriculture, the following types are most widespread:

Large epiphytic species. It is characterized by dense, articulated stems with constrictions in the area of ​​internodes up to 70 cm high. The leaf blades are arranged in two rows. The total lifespan of the stems does not exceed 2 years. Peduncles are short, appearing on last year's shoots. Consist of 2-4 brightly colored flowers with a characteristic turned-down lip.

A large species with lanceolate leaves located at the top of the fleshy shoots. The peduncle is curved, up to 60 cm long. The flowers are collected in large, drooping racemes. Their color varies from soft pink to deep crimson. In this case, the lip is always colored more intensely. With good care, the flowering period can last up to six months. The species is grown as an industrial crop to obtain high-quality cuttings.

A species with tetrahedral stems covered with membranous sheaths. The top of the shoots is crowned with 3-4 lanceolate leaves. The inflorescences consist of many flowers collected in large drooping racemes. The length of the brushes can reach up to 30 cm with the number of colors exceeding 50 pieces. The flowers are about 5 cm in diameter, bright yellow in color with an orange stripe along the edge of the lip.

Dendrobium hybrids bred on the basis of the species described above are also widespread in indoor culture:

Prized for its original red-orange color with brown streaks.

Dendrobium Dorrigo ‘Wisteria’

It has interesting stems that resemble reeds.

It was obtained by crossing D. formnsum and D. infundibulum.

Dendrobium Red Fair ‘Akebono’

A brightly colored hybrid with a contrasting lip.

One of the most beautiful types of Dendrobium orchids and, moreover, the most common in indoor floriculture is Dendrobium Nobile. The advantages of this orchid are its spectacular appearance, luxurious flowering, amazing aroma, so pleasant, slightly sweet and not at all cloying! Even novice gardeners can grow Dendrobium Nobile, because knowledgeable people compare this flower to geranium due to its unpretentiousness. In this article we will introduce you to this epiphytic beauty and tell you about the proper care of Dendrobium Nobile at home.

A peculiarity of Dendrobium Nobile is the location of its peduncles - along the entire length of the pseudobulb

This type of orchid is most often found high in the mountains of India, Thailand, Nepal, Vietnam, and the Himalayas. Back in 1836, she was brought from India to Europe, where she amazed everyone with her unusual beauty. Translated from Greek, the name of the orchid “Dendrobium” sounds like “living on a tree”, and the prefix “Nobile” means “noble, excellent, noticeable or famous”. The second name of this orchid, Dendrobium Noble, very accurately characterizes this plant. A tall bush, about 60 cm, has an original, very impressive appearance. Purple with a yellow spot, pink, white or red flowers cover the trunk so thickly that the bush looks like a living bouquet. Its fleshy, straight stems (pseudobulbs) with a characteristic glossy tint are usually cylindrical, thickened in the lower part, and decorated with wide leaves in the upper part. Peduncles with large bright fragrant flowers appear on them in the second year of life.

The flowers of Dendrobium Nobile are united in inflorescences, which, depending on the age of the orchid and the variety of the hybrid, can have from 1 to 3 flowers. And the entire pseudobulb, if counted, can be decorated with from 50 to 70 flowers. The diameter of one flower can reach 10 cm, but on average it is from 5 to 8 cm. Natural species of Dendrobium nobilis have white petals with purple tips and a cream-colored lip with a pinkish edging and a dark purple throat. And hybrid varieties come with white, orange, purple, lilac, dark purple flowers, even variegated ones. The shape of the petals is ovoid with elongated sepals. Flowering occurs in February - March. The shoots of an adult flowering Dendrobium are literally strewn from base to top with large, unusually beautiful flowers. Each flower stays on the peduncle for up to two months.

Scale insects on orchid leaves

Spider mite. You can recognize the appearance of the pest by the thin cobwebs that cover the leaves and shoots of the orchid. Most likely, the air in your room is too dry. These insects also feed on plant sap. Small spots from tick injections on the surface of the leaf turn into large spots. Affected leaves and flower stalks die.

You are unlikely to be able to cope with the entire colony - insect pests of indoor plants are very prolific. In addition to adult flying and crawling individuals, the colony contains their larvae and eggs, which are firmly attached in the sinuses, folds, and roots. Therefore, we recommend that in case of severe damage, you use chemical control agents - insecticides. There are a large number of such drugs on sale. You can spray with one of the drugs: Aktara, Actellik, Fitoverm. Usually, re-treatment is necessary after 10 - 15 days, read the instructions.

A little about signs

According to Eastern philosophers, there are many signs associated with the presence of this mysterious flower in an apartment.

• It is believed that Dendrobium Nobile will bring peace and prosperity to married couples. If a couple is in a civil marriage, then the appearance of this flower can lead to discord and even a break in the relationship.
• It is not advisable to place an orchid in the bedroom. It is believed that the flower will take away the owner’s strength and he may become depressed.
• The plant has a negative effect on people with unstable psyches.
• For creative people, it helps awaken inspiration and new strength.
• It gives women cheerfulness and prolongs youth.
• The presence of a blooming Dendrobium Nobile orchid in the house is a talisman against guests with bad intentions and all sorts of ill-wishers. If such a person appears as a guest, the orchid will worsen his health and force him to leave your home.

The color of orchid petals also has its effect.

• Orchid species with red and purple flowers are believed to help break bad habits.
• Yellow and orange orchids promote an active lifestyle and bring success in financial matters.
• White and pink flowers relieve depression and bring harmony to the state of mind.

Conclusion

The orchid variety Dendrobium Nobile is slightly inferior in popularity to Phalaenopsis. Although, it is no less beautiful, can bloom for a long time, and exudes a pleasant aroma. This orchid is unpretentious in care and maintenance and reproduces easily. If you do not yet have a collection of indoor orchids, we recommend starting with Dendrobium Nobile. We are confident that you will be able to choose the best hybrid of this orchid for your soul and home, and it will decorate your home for many years.

Growth phases and care: the bulb has given birth to a baby, this baby is growing, when it gives roots and they grow 3-4 cm, we begin to carefully water along the edge of the pot, when the roots enter the substrate, we begin to feed with nitrogen fertilizers. At this time, you can keep the temperature at 22-25 degrees, the humidity is medium-high, as for all orchs, the light is bright, diffused (possible with the morning sun). The growth has increased by 2/3 of the mother bulb, we begin to feed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. The growth has increased (this can be seen at the top of the bulb; leaves no longer grow from it, or the last leaf may grow vertically from the very top). We put the plant in a cool place, the temperature can drop to 3 degrees, but the optimal is 8-10 degrees, do not water AT ALL! After a few months of rest, flower buds will appear along the entire height of the bulb. The most important thing here is not to fail to water! Don't change the conditions! When the buds develop and buds have already formed, then you can begin to slowly water the plant. If watering begins before the buds are formed, the flower buds can easily degenerate into vegetative ones.

In the period from mid-May until the night temperature drops to 5-8 °C, it is strongly recommended to keep this type of orchid outdoors: on the balcony or in the garden, since it is here that the night temperatures drop naturally, which in in turn, is one of the factors that stimulate orchid flowering. A place should be chosen that is protected from rain, strong winds and direct sunlight. Long-term practice shows that such plants grow more developed and bloom much more abundantly.

Then the children went, water it and you can replant it, when the children grow up like their mother, then they bloom, about half a year, when they notice the buds, keep it cool and hardly water until the flowers bloom

I don’t water before flowering until the first flowers appear!

One of the features of Dendrobium nobile is that during the “Indian summer”, new young shoots (re-vegetation) or children may unexpectedly appear in the fall. Despite this, the orchid is still given a period of rest. During it, all growth processes are “frozen”, and upon completion they continue to develop further.

A dry period is required during winter and spring (if the pseudobulbs begin to shrink, spraying can be used, but only if the room temperature is higher than +18), until new growth appears. At this stage, you need to start watering and fertilizing, and do it regularly. If you start watering too early, at the moment of flower bud formation, then instead of flowers, aerial new growths with roots may form, which can be used later for propagation.

when the bulb grows completely until the growth point closes, then do not water it in the cold

To form flower buds on bulbs, the difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures must be at least 3-4 degrees - this is the basic rule. In November we place our dendrobium in non-dendrobium conditions: the temperature should be 10-14 C no more and no watering. The peculiarity of the flower buds of this dendrobium is that if you water or increase the temperature, the flower buds will degenerate into babies and flowering will not happen. If the plant becomes especially sorry and the bulbs are especially wrinkled, then spray lightly and put on the bag.

On average, it takes 2 months from swelling of the buds to flowering. If everything is done correctly, then buds-tubercles are first formed from the bud and then transformed into flowers.

When the flowers have bloomed, watering should be resumed.

during the dormant period they do not water and keep it cool, I know this for sure, otherwise there will be new growth instead of flowers, you cannot water until the buds color...watering only in the active phase of growth, as the children grow up to the parent, watering is sharply reduced and we wait

If we accurately translate the name of this genus of orchids, it means “living on trees” and indicates that plants of the genus always lead an epiphytic lifestyle. Dendrobium orchids form one of the most diverse and, perhaps, one of the most numerous genera of the orchid family (the genus contains approximately 1,500 species).

Dendrobium. © Elena Gaillard Content:

Description of Dendrobium

Plants of the genus Dendrobium differ greatly not only in the shape and color of flowers, but also in their growth and structural features. Here you can find a wide variety of amazingly exotic species.

Flower shoots can grow hanging down, in clusters, or straight upright. All flowers of the genus are characterized by a spur-shaped protrusion of the lip, the so-called “chin”. The size of the plants also varies greatly: some orchids are only a few millimeters, while others can reach a size of 2 meters or even more.

Many Dendrobium species such as Dendrobium pierara or Farmer's Dendrobium They shed their foliage before flowering. These species belong to the orchids of the moderately cold temperature zone. During the leafless stage, they look like dried out, neglected plants, but when the dormant phase ends, these orchids become lush green again. Other species of the genus such as Dendrobium noble or Dendrobium bukeshotsveshny They can also shed their foliage if the dormant phase is clearly defined, but this usually does not happen.

The remaining species of this genus are evergreen and belong to the warm-temperate zone. There are such significant differences in the cultivation of orchids of the genus Dendrobium that this genus can be divided into approximately 15 groups. The number of cultivated orchids has included a large number of very unique, bizarre species, which are often quite easy to care for. Orchid hybrids are becoming increasingly important for growing on a windowsill. Dendrobium phalaenopsis And Dendrobium noble.

Homeland: Sri Lanka, India, Southern China, Southern Japan, Polynesian Islands, Eastern Australia and North-Eastern Tasmania.

Features of growing dendrobium

Temperature: Dendrobium is thermophilic, in winter the optimal temperature is about 22-25 °C, the night minimum is 15 °C. In winter, the dormant period when kept in cool conditions is about 12 °C, depending on the type of plant.

Lighting: Dendrobiums are light-loving; eastern and western windows are suitable for them; the southern window will require shading during the hottest hours of the day.

Watering: Abundant during growth in spring and summer, the soil should be kept moist at all times. In winter, watering is very limited, i.e. almost dry content.

Fertilizer: During the period of growth, budding and flowering, they are fed with a special fertilizer for orchids.

Air humidity: Dendrobium requires air humidity of about 60% or higher, so it is better to place it on a tray with water or wet pebbles.

Transfer: Transplantation is carried out only when the roots of the orchid begin to crawl out of the pot and the plant slows down its growth. Approximately the dendrobium is replanted after 3-4 years; the pot should not be too large, otherwise the plant will not grow well. The soil is a special purchased mixture for orchids. You can prepare it yourself - for this you need high-moor peat and large pieces of pine bark.

Reproduction: By division and air layering.

Pests, diseases: Scale insects and pemphigas, some species also have spider mites - when the air is too dry. When dampness accumulates, fungal infection is possible.

Growing and caring for dendrobium

Depending on their ecology, Dendrobiums are cultivated in rooms with moderate (18–22 °C) or cool temperatures in baskets, on blocks of cork oak bark or tree fern roots. The substrate for their cultivation is pine bark, rotted leaves, charcoal and sand (1: 1: 1: 0.5).

Deciduous Dendrobiums, originating from areas with a monsoon climate, have a pronounced dormant period. In spring and summer they are kept in a warm (22–24) humid environment, preferably in a greenhouse. After the stems ripen, watering is reduced, and in winter it is stopped altogether, limiting itself to only occasional spraying and maintaining the temperature at least 15–17 degrees. Dendrobium phalaenopsis, since it does not have a dormant period and comes from tropical rain forests, it needs to be kept evenly warm and humid all year round. In general, the plants are light-loving, however, in hot midday hours they need light darkening. They grow better in small containers.

Propagated by dividing the bush, stem cuttings and apical shoots - children that form aerial roots. Bushes should be divided no more than every 3-4 years, while apical shoots can be removed annually. Transplantation and propagation are carried out in April-June, depending on the species, when young shoots begin to grow.

Dendrobiums are light-loving plants that prefer fresh air, but do not tolerate drafts well. They bloom profusely, on average for 12–19 days. When cut, the flowers of some species remain fresh for 4–6 days (for phalaenopsis dendrobium - up to 3 weeks).

Feed during the period of intensive growth 2 times a month with a 0.01% solution of complete mineral fertilizer.

After growth has finished, deciduous species enter a dormant period and need to be kept cool and dry. Species without a clearly defined dormant period, such as D. moschatum, require minimal watering when growth processes die out. Tropical species (D. phalaenopsis, D. chrisotoxum) require watering at any time of the year, and the minimum temperature in winter should not be lower than 15 ° C. During dormancy in the greenhouse, a certain air humidity should be maintained at all times, and the plants should be sprayed periodically to avoid excessive depletion and wrinkling of the tuberidia.

All types of Dendrobium orchids need a small container. Many species are also suitable for breeding on blocks. Tall plants need to be sprayed more often to prevent pest damage. Some species of Dendrobium, for example, phalaenopsis, are prone to the formation of “babies”, which are easy to propagate these species.

Dendrobium noble(Dendrobium nobile), as well as other species and hybrids that shed leaves, should be placed in a cool (10-14 ° C) and dry place in the dark season (from November to January). Once the buds are clearly visible, return the plant to its normal location.

Dendrobium kinga(Dendrobium kingianum), Dendrobium magnificent(Dendrobium speciosum) and their relatives in the summer, like orchids of the genus Cymbidium, can be placed in the open air, in a bright but not sunny place. If you do not have this opportunity, pay special attention to keeping the plant in a cool and dry place in winter.

Dendrobium phalaenopsis(Dendrobium phalaenopsis), as well as related species and hybrids, simply place them in a warm place and make sure that the temperature drops at night, as required by plants of these species.

Advice: When purchasing a plant of the Dendrobium genus, you definitely need to find out which temperature zone your orchid belongs to, since due to the wide variety of Dendrobium species, it is impossible to give general advice on caring for the plant.

Dendrobium. © Juni from Kyoto, Japan

Dendrobium species

Dendrobium aloifolium

An epiphyte common in Southeast Asia and Indonesia. Thin shoots are densely covered with unusual triangular leaves, more like the leaves of succulents. Short flower stalks develop from the buds of the upper internodes of the shoot, which are devoid of green leaves. The flowers are numerous (at least 10-12) and very small, only 0.2-0.4 cm in diameter. All parts of the flowers are greenish-white. Blooms in summer and autumn, from July to October.

Leafless Dendrobium (Dendrobium aphyllum)

An epiphytic or lithophytic species, widely distributed in Southeast Asia. Pseudobulbs are long, semi-drooping, multi-leafed. Short flower stalks develop at the nodes that have shed the leaves of last year's shoots and bear one to three pale pink flowers with a creamy fringed lip. Each flower reaches 3-5 cm in diameter. The main peak of flowering occurs in February-May, however, flowering specimens can be found in cultivated conditions almost all year round.

Epiphytic orchid, widespread in Southeast Asia. Pseudobulbs up to 60-90 cm long, multi-leaved. Short peduncles develop one to four flowers from 6 to 10 cm in diameter, which have a dense texture and can even be cut for some time. Flowers of various shades - from dark purple and deep pink to pure white. The lip has a large dark purple spot. In cultivation, it often blooms from January to May.

Dendrobium bigibbum

An epiphytic or lithophytic plant from Northern Australia. Pseudobulbs bear fleshy leaves at the end. Peduncles appear from the buds of the upper internodes, and both young shoots of last year's growth and old leafless pseudobulbs can bloom simultaneously. Each peduncle bears 8-20 bright flowers with a diameter of 3-5 cm, violet-crimson or purple-pink, sometimes white. Blooms from August to December.

Dendrobium unicum

This miniature epiphytic and lithophytic dendrobium is native to Northern Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. The plant is deciduous and remains in a leafless state for most of the year. Lateral one- to three-flowered inflorescences usually appear on internodes that have shed their leaves. The flowers are turned with the lip upward, bright orange, 3.5-5.0 cm in diameter. The lip is pale yellow. Blooms from January to June.

Dendrobium christyanum

The miniature epiphyte is native to northern Thailand, Vietnam and southwest China. Pseudobulbs consist of 2-7 internodes, each of which bears one leaf. The inflorescences are single-flowered, very short, appearing in the upper part of the shoots. The flower is up to 5 cm in diameter, white or creamy, translucent. The lip is three-lobed, with a red-orange or orange-yellow central part. Blooms from mid-summer to mid-autumn.

An epiphytic species widely distributed in Southeast Asia (India, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and southwestern China). The pseudobulbs are unifoliate, densely covered on the outside with translucent scale-like leaves. The inflorescences are lateral, drooping, bearing 10-14 pale yellow or golden yellow flowers 2.5-5.0 cm in diameter with a wide open lip equipped with a large orange-yellow spot in the center. Blooms from March to July.

Dendrobium lindleyi. © KENPEI

Dendrobium loddigesii

Homeland: Laos, Vietnam, southwestern China, Hong Kong. This is a small epiphytic orchid (10-18 cm) with multi-leaved thin pseudobulbs and large bright flowers with a diameter of 5 cm. The inflorescences are one-two-flowered, usually appear in spring on shoots that have shed their leaves. The flowers have pinkish-purple sepals, purple petals and a pink-purple lip with a large yellow-orange spot in the center. Flowering lasts from February to June.

Lion's Dendrobium (Dendrobium leonis)

Homeland: Cambodia, Laos, Malaya, Thailand, Vietnam, Sumatra and Kalimantan. A small (10-25 cm) orchid with thin shoots and completely covering them with fleshy, flattened triangular leaves from 3.8 to 5 cm long. Inflorescences develop at the nodes of apical internodes that have shed their leaves. Each peduncle bears one or two creamy-yellow or pale-green inconspicuous flowers with a diameter of 1.5-2.0 cm. It mainly blooms in summer and autumn.

An epiphyte widely distributed in Southeast Asia. In nature, its shoots can reach enormous sizes - up to 3 m, and in culture - 30-90 cm. Short peduncles appear on shoots that have shed their leaves and develop 1-2 large bright flowers. The flowers are 7-10 cm in diameter, painted in purple tones of various shades. Flowering plants of this species can be found in the greenhouse all year round, with peak flowering observed from January to April

Dendrobium primulinum

The species is widespread in Southeast Asia. Epiphytic plant with long multi-leaf shoots. One or two-flowered inflorescences develop from buds that have shed the leaves of the internodes. The flowers are 4-8 cm in diameter, light purple with a large yellowish-white fringed lip, which inside the throat is painted with parallel dark red or purple stripes. In nature it blooms in spring, in cultivated conditions - from January to August.

You never cease to be amazed that in their homeland - somewhere on the islands of Indonesia, orchids grow like simple weeds. In Russia, they seem to be the standard of sophistication and require personal care, like capricious ladies. A flower called Dendrobium Nobile stands out somewhat among other orchids. Firstly, this plant is less whimsical than other orchids. Secondly, its flowers do not crown a long, dry stem, but grow along it, which is very beautiful.

An orchid is not cheap, and it would be a pity to destroy a beautiful and expensive flower with improper care. So, let's learn how to treat an orchid according to all the rules.

Substrate: special soil for planting

Before you start transplanting Dendrobium nobile into another pot, you need to purchase a “light” soil mixture, that is, one that conducts air and water well. Pine bark is perfect as the basis for such a mixture. You can add pieces of moss to it, and, if available, coconut fiber. Remember that the orchid does not tolerate acidic soils. To prevent such a disaster, include some coal in the mixture.

For a plant such as an orchid, the composition of the soil is related to illumination. If you place your Dendrobium nobile on the windowsill of a south window, then the soil (and, therefore, the roots of the orchid) will need to be protected from drying out. Therefore, more moss is added to the soil mixture.

If the orchid is to move to a north window, you will have to take preventative measures to ensure that moisture does not stagnate in the soil. You can crumble some polystyrene foam and mix it with the soil mixture.

Lighting and temperature conditions

Lighting is an important factor in itself, even without its influence on the soil. If the window where the orchid stands faces south, or southwest, or southeast, then on sunny days the orchid will need to be protected from direct rays. This can be done using matte paper that you use to cover the window, thin muslin, and gauze.

The plant will also need fresh air, so the house will have to be ventilated. But at the same time, the flower pot should not be in a draft.

Particular attention should be paid to Dendrobium nobile when the plant is preparing to bloom. At this time, if you are going to move the pot, you need to make sure that the lighting angle does not change. Otherwise, a capricious orchid may simply drop its buds.

The orchid must be illuminated at least 10 hours a day. In winter, when the days are short and cloudy, you can turn on a fluorescent lamp for your flower as evening approaches.

It is advisable to maintain the room temperature at least 20 C in summer and 16 C in winter.

But the orchid simply loves humid air. In the cold season, when the central heating radiators make the air in the rooms dry, you can keep a spray bottle ready and from time to time give the flower a shower. A wet terry towel hung on the radiator will also help to avoid dryness.

Watering and fertilizing Dendrobium nobile

Watering is what the plant needs regularly, throughout the year, so let's start with that. Recommendations depend on the air temperature in the apartment. The hotter and drier it is, the more often the flower will need to be watered. For this purpose, it is preferable to use water other than the one you just collected from the tap. At a minimum, the water must be allowed to settle. It is even preferable to pass it through a filter or boil it. In winter, if you live in an ecologically clean area, you can use water obtained after the snow melts and warmed to room temperature.

An unusual tip from experienced gardeners: orchids like to take a fairly hot shower from time to time. The water temperature can reach 45 C. With this care, the orchids will bloom especially generously. Just remember to blot the leaves with a clean cloth so that moisture does not stagnate in them.

In winter, during the dormant period, watering is reduced and the soil is slightly loosened, all this is done so that the roots do not begin to rot.

Now about fertilizers. Since your flower lives in a rather cramped pot, and the soil remains the same day after day, the plant needs to be fed. Nowadays, specialized stores sell a lot of fertilizers intended specifically for orchids.

They begin to feed Dendrobium nobile in the spring, when the orchid is just about to bloom. Fertilizers can be applied according to the system: after two waterings, on the third.

In preparation for flowering, it is best to use fertilizers that contain phosphorus rather than nitrogen.

Reproduction and transplantation of orchids at home

You can propagate your orchid in several ways:

• separating the “babies” from the plant;
• dividing the bush itself into several parts;
• preparing the cuttings for planting.

“Children” are separated from the “mother” when their roots reach several centimeters. As a rule, they successfully take root in a new place, and after 2 years they begin to bloom.

If the orchid is already “adult” and has grown considerably, then once every 4 years or even less often, it can be divided into parts. In this case, all the “received” plants will soon bloom.

Cuttings from Dendrobium nobile are obtained from those flower stalks that have already stopped flowering. The length of the cuttings should be approximately 9-10 cm. They are planted, having previously sprinkled the cut areas with crushed chalk, in pots filled with damp moss. Actually, they don’t even plant them in the usual sense, but lay them on moss and cover the pots with film on top.

Warm and humid. If such an atmosphere is maintained under the film, then after 3 weeks the cuttings will take root. And after a couple of months, young orchids can be transplanted into the soil that is most suitable for adult Dendrobium nobile.

It is best to use special pots designed for orchids for breeding capricious beauties. Flower shops always have a selection of them.

When replanting an orchid, be careful not to damage the roots. If any root does break, then, to avoid rotting, sprinkle the damaged area with coal or chalk.

There should be a small layer of drainage at the bottom of the pot, under the soil. When planting an orchid, they try not to bury the orchid too much so that the pseudobulbs do not disappear underground. If the flower is tall enough, provide support for it in advance.

The transplanted plant is not kept in bright light for some time.

Possible content issues

What worries orchid owners most is when the plant refuses to bloom.

There may be many reasons for this:

• excessive amounts of nitrogen fertilizers applied;
• shaded room;
• excessive moisture, due to which the roots begin to rot;
• low air temperature.

The “sissy” orchid will not want to bloom even if it is in the room of a heavy smoker.

Diseases and pests characteristic of Dendrobium nobile

It would seem, what pests can indoor flowers have? But orchids have both pests and diseases characteristic of these plants.

Leaf spotting. Dry spots of dark color appear on the leaves. In this case, diseased leaves must be removed. Bordeaux mixture can be used for spraying.

Root rot. A common and very dangerous disease. Sometimes you can only notice what’s wrong when replanting the plant. A characteristic sign is that an unpleasant odor begins to emanate from the pot. The orchid needs to be replanted, during which the damaged parts of the roots will be carefully cut out and the sections sprinkled with chalk or charcoal. You can also use an unsaturated solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection.

Powdery mildew. A white coating appears on the leaves and even on the buds. First, it is recommended to spray the affected areas with a soap solution, then you can use Fitosporin.

Aphid. All gardeners and gardeners know what these insects look like. Aphids can be washed off with water. And then use onion or garlic tinctures to preserve the orchid.

Spider mite. Orchids are covered with silver threads. In this case, rubbing the leaves with alcohol tincture will help. Just don’t forget that in a quarter of an hour the orchid will have to “take a shower.”

Features of care after flowering

In hot climates, plants may bloom several times a year. With proper care, this can be achieved from an orchid.

In spring, up to 2 dozen flowers may appear on Dendrobium nobile. When the long flowering period ends, the orchid enters the growth phase and the “babies” begin to develop.

At this time, it is advisable to apply fertilizers, and nitrogen ones replace phosphorus.

Winter can be called a “rest period” for an orchid. Even if you use fluorescent lamps, the flower will “feel” that the light intensity has decreased compared to summer. The air temperature in the room at this time can be reduced to 16-17 C, watering should be very moderate.

The “resting phase” is an important time for a flower. Its spring flowering depends on how well the orchid is provided with the necessary conditions.

In fact, growing Dendrobium nobile on your windowsill is not difficult. You just need to master the necessary skills to care for the plant. For this it will thank you with abundant and long-lasting flowering.