How to Grow Dendrobium nobile

Dendrobium Red Emperor 'Prince'

Dendrobium nobile hybrids make stunning potted plants. Staked upright they look exactly like a living bouquet, with flowers spaced so closely that it becomes hard to see the plant underneath. Dendrobium Red Emperor 'Prince', which we used in our Orchid Daze display,  is an especially vivid color combination--deep fuchsia and yellow. We are selling them today and tomorrow at our Gently Used Plant Sale.

Dendrobium nobile hybrids are seldom seen at retail outlets, unlike the ubiquitous Dendrobium phalaenopsis hybrids which you are probably familiar with. Dendrobium is a huge genus, widespread throughout Asia and diverse in morphology. Thus, there are many types (the group is divided into sections) of dendrobiums with different cultural requirements.

The Yamamoto Dendrobium website gives an illuminating description of the habitat: The nobile type Dendrobiums are  native to SE Asia and grow on branches of tall trees (read: needs very bright light) in cool areas up to 3,000 ft. elevation where night temperatures may drop near freezing in winter (read: cold temps are required in winter for bud initiation). There are two seasons: rainy summer and a dry winter in which there is very little rain for four months.'

In a nutshell: warm moist slightly shaded summer followed by cool dry full sun winter. We grow our plants in a 50% shade humid greenhouse and move them to a cold greenhouse (53 to 55 º nights) from November to New Year's.

The folks at Yamamoto have produced some terrific pages with detailed cultural information. If you are buying Dendrobium  nobiles at our Gently Used Plant Sale I would recommend that you keep them at 55º to 75º in order to maximize the longevity of the flowers.

How to Grow the Oncidium Intergenerics

Beallara Big Shot 'Kitty Kat'

Among the Dancing Lady orchids, subtribe Oncidiinae, the Oncidium intergenerics are the ballet corps: beautiful, even fragile looking, but in fact, quite strong.

Beallara Marfitch 'Howard's Dream'

Subtribe is one rung above genus on the taxonomic ladder. Genera within the (formerly) large genus Oncidium are closely enough related that hybridization is possible among them.

Beallara Tahoma Glacier 'Sugar Sweet'

Beautiful but tough--that's the goal of all of the breeding involved in making one of these complicated hybrids.  Want to buy one of those gorgeous high elevation Odontoglossum for your place in Atlanta? Why not just set your money on fire? Try a Beallara instead. Beallara combines four genera. Odontoglossum and Cochlioda for frills plus Miltonia and Brassia for warmth tolerance. There are lots of different Oncidium intergenerics bred for beauty and ease of growing.

Odontioda  Hot Pants 'Hot Stuff'

Oncidium intergenerics

Light

A few hours of mild but direct morning sun on an east facing window sill will provide enough light intensity for flowering. Make sure there are no trees or buildings blocking the light. A west-facing exposure will work if you make sure the leaves don't feel hot to the touch. In a greenhouse, 50% shade.

Temperature

All orchids like a daily 15º difference between day and night temperatures. The annual temperature range should be between 58º low (at night in winter) and 83º high (daytime in summer).

Water

Take a good look at the potting mix every day for the next week and learn to recognize the change in color & moisture that accompanies the drying-out process. The top 1/2 inch of potting mix will be lighter in color and drier on day six than on day one. Drench thoroughly from above when that top 1/2" looks dry. Saucers that allow standing water to accumulate and flow back into drainage holes are a bad idea.

Pots and Potting Media

You did pick a pot with drainage holes, right? Putting that pot inside another pot without drainage holes is cheating. Your plant will know. Your plant will know that you value waterstain-free furniture above its own life and it will die.
Oncidium intergenerics like to grow in relatively small pots in either a fir bark-based orchid mix (which you can buy from most garden centers) or a New Zealand sphagnum moss mixture (purchased online).

Fertilizer

1/2 strength all purpose soluble fertilizer every two weeks.

Odontocidium St. Anthony of Egypt 'Huina Road'

How to Grow the Pansy Orchid (Miltoniopsis)

The Pansy Orchid (Miltoniopsis)

If you're thinking about dropping by our Gently Used Plant Sale on Wednesday or Thursday of this week to scoop up some of the delicious orchids from our OrchidDaze display you may want some information about how to grow them. I'll post a new care sheet each day this week for you.
The Pansy Orchids are gorgeous.

The Pansy Orchid (Miltoniopsis)

Miltoniopsis is a genus of six tropical orchid species native to Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador. They grow in moist humid forests ranging from warm lowlands to cooler highlands up to 2200 m. The hybrid offspring of these species which are commercially available today have been bred for large flower size and warmth tolerance. The hybrids typically flower in April, May and June, but commercial growers can force them into flower year round by giving them two months of short days at 68º, followed by two additional months of short days with nighttime lows between 52º and 58º.

Light

Miltoniopsis need to be shaded from hot sun. A couple of hours of mild morning sun in an unobstructed east window is good. In a greenhouse 75% shade.

Temperature

Miltoniopsis like mild temperatures. Try to keep the daytime temperature below 80º. Most orchids like a 15º difference between the daytime high and the night time low temperature. Miltoniopsis need cool temperatures at night (52º to 58º) in winter in order to set buds.

Humidity

70% to 80% is ideal.

Pots & Potting Media

Grow Miltoniopsis in relatively small pots. Two mixes work well for us: a bark-based mix (equal parts fine fir bark, charcoal and perlite) or a moss-based mix (equal parts New Zealand sphagnum and tree fern fiber). Repot every two years.

Water

Miltoniopsis should dry slightly between watering, but never become bone dry. Drench thoroughly. The drainage holes of the pot should not be immersed in water.

Fertilizer

1/4 to 1/2 strength every two weeks with a soluble general purpose fertilizer.

The Gently Used Plant Sale!

Pansy Orchid (Miltoniopsis)

When: Wednesday April 18 & Thursday April 19 from 9 am until 4 pm.
Where: Georgia Pacific Classroom (located in the Fuqua Orchid Center)
Prices: Start at $15 for blooming orchids; 2 for $15 for non-blooming orchids

Almost as popular as our annual Orchid Daze display is the Gently Used Plant Sale! that follows it, when we sell off many of the display orchids.

The orchids look great. The Pansy Orchids above were bought in three weeks ago in bud in order to get our display through its final two weeks. The flowers should last for weeks.

Beallara Tahoma Glacier 'Sugar Sweet'

At the sale there will be written information and volunteers available to answer your questions about orchid care. On Monday and Tuesday I will post orchid care information on this blog.

Beallara Marfitch 'Howard's Dream'

This year's orchids were exceptionally beautiful. Plan to come to the sale early to scoop up the freshest material. The sale is very popular. Some of you (names withheld) have been giving our plants the 'shoppers eye' for weeks.

Phalaenopsis hybrid

True story: On Wednesday I got a call from our receptionist. Standing in front of her was a hand wringing bride-to-be who had the mistaken notion that our sale was today. The woman's wedding is this Saturday. She was planning to buy all of our white orchids for wedding decorations and, Could we please remove the orchids from the display now and sell them to her? 


I've been taking calls like this all week.

The Phal Blast

Sarah Carter creating the Orchid Daze Phal Blast last January

Many of the walls within the Orchid Center are covered with cedar trellis. The trellis was designed and built by one of my all-time favorite volunteers, a talented Brazilian man named Ricardo, as yet another venue for displaying orchids.

During Orchid Daze our usual treatment of the trellis is to cover every square foot in Phalaenopsis orchids in order to create our Phal Blast. The Phal Blast has become an enormously popular backdrop for family photos.

For their part, the Phals don't particularly like being stacked vertically, one above the other. This sort of treatment can lead to crown rot in the plants in the lowermost rows that receive excessive run off when we water the plants above. Vertical stacking is not something we would ever do to our collection Phalaenopsis. The hybrids will tolerate it for ten weeks, though we have probably shortened their lives somewhat. Many display techniques can be harmful to orchids, the epiphytes in particular. In short: don't try this at home!

This weekend is your last chance to see Orchid Daze 2012, Hanging Gardens. Don't miss it!

The Orchid Tapestry

The Conservatory Lobby features an Orchid Tapestry 

Orchid Daze 2012, Hanging Gardens was designed by Tres Fromme of StudioOutside. Tres' design for the entrance makes brilliant use of the soaring space inside the Conservatory Lobby. The orchid tapestry measures 12' from floor to ceiling. As seen from above its curving outline is broadly S-shaped as it traces a path between two opposing beds. The tapestry forms a vertical arch above the pathway in several places, allowing visitors to walk beneath it.

The Pansy Orchid (Miltoniopsis) is a terrific subject for this display. Miltoniopsis flowers are as large as those of Phalaenopsis and nearly as long lasting. The arching spikes are shorter than those of Phalaenopsis, but the plant typically produces 5 or more spikes of beautifully presented flowers. Miltoniopsis is much more tolerant of cool temperatures than Phalaenopsis, and so pairs well with Cymbidium, Dendrobium nobile, Masdevallia and other cool growing orchids that wither in the company of warm-growing Phals. 

And they smell delicious. In fact the fragrance in the Conservatory Lobby is overwhelming--in a sweetly floral way.

Oncidium Twinkle (we used two color forms: 'Red Fantasy' & 'Yellow Fantasy') makes a perfect pairing with Miltoniopsis hybrids, in texture, color and fragrance. The delicate texture of the flowers looks wonderful alongside the bolder flowers of the Pansy Orchid. I have always wanted to use Oncidium Twinkle in a display and finally had an opportunity this year.

Orchid Daze 2012, Hanging Gardens runs through Sunday April 15.

Shiny Rings & Orchid Things

It was pure pleasure selecting the orchids for the giant shimmering rings suspended above the Formal Bed in the Orchid Display House. When you are working with a palette of cool colors the choice of orchid varieties expands enormously.

Doritaenopsis Long Pride 'Sparks' HCC/AOS

Phalaenopsis are an obvious choice for any orchid display, with their graceful arching habit, large flowers and amazing longevity. The Doritaenopsis in our display are an intergeneric cross between Phalaenopsis and Doritis, two orchid genera so closely related as to be considered synonymous by some taxonomists. Doritaenopsis Long Pride 'Sparks' HCC/AOS is one of the most beautiful harlequin varieties that we have ever featured in our display--certainly worthy of the spotlight.

Beallara Tahoma Glacier 'Sugar Sweet'

Beallara is the name given to the offspring resulting from a sequence of crosses between the genera Brassia, Cochlioda, Miltonia and Odontoglossum. Thus, Beallara is an intergeneric hybrid, as is the Doritaenopsis above, only more complex in its genetic background.

I love the über-feminine look of these beallaras. They wear their frothy Odontoglossum lineage on their sleeves. Tahoma Glacier is pure white overlaid with rosy markings and a favorite of mine in a display where white is needed. 'Howard's Dream' is one of only a few Oncidium intergenerics with a large flower that reads purple, not red violet.

Beallara Marfitch 'Howard's Dream'

One unfortunate characteristic of some Beallara cultivars is their extremely weak flower spikes. The spike will often break under the weight of its full complement of mature flowers unless it is staked along its entire length. We learned this the hard way, of course, after an entire bed of 'Howard's Dream' collapsed prematurely during Orchid Daze 2007. So, beware. If not staked 'Howard's Dream' becomes Howard's Nightmare.

Beallara Big Shot 'Kitty Kat'

Finally, the diminutive Big Shot 'Kitty Kat,' which we just used to replace the 'Howard's Dream.' Most of the Oncidium intergenerics last about eight weeks in flower under our conditions. Since Orchid Daze lasts ten weeks we do a switchout at week eight. 'Kitty Kat' is a new variety for us and an unexpected delight.

Sunday is the last day to see Orchid Daze 2012! We are open every night until seven pm.

Our Kennel of Bulldog Paphs

"Bulldog" Paphiopedilum hybrids displayed on the Cube in the Orchid Atrium

Probably the most popular orchids on the hanging Cube in the Orchid Atrium are the Asian Slipper Orchids, the paphiopedilums, or "Paphs." These particular Paphiopedilum hybrids are colloquially known as "bulldog Paphs" on account of their broad-faced flowers and drooping petals. Among the most famous of the bulldogs is Paphiopedilum Winston Churchill. You can read more about this famous hybrid here.

The bulldog Paphs make outstanding display orchids. Their enormous shiny flowers are mesmerizing when viewed at eye level and they are extraordinarily long lasting (for Paphs, anyway)--eight weeks if you can keep the daytime temperatures at or below 72º.

Paphiopedilum species in nature are usually, but not always, terrestrial. They often grow as understory plants, or wedged into crevices in rocky limestone or granite outcrops. Adapted to an environment where there is a fairly dependable reservoir of moisture surrounding their roots, Paphs are not as drought tolerant as their epiphytic relatives, like Cattleya and Laelia, which often possess thickened leaves to resist moisture loss and pseudobulbs to store water.

Thus, in cultivation, Paphiopedilum orchids enjoy more subdued light, a more moisture retentive medium, and more frequent watering than Cattleya orchids.  They do well under lights or on an east facing windowsill. On a windowsill they will need a few hours of mild morning sun in order to flower. Most growers pot their Paphs in a mixture of fine grade bark, charcoal and perlite, often with some additional peat or milled sphagnum.

You won't want to miss these extraordinary orchids. And don't forget your camera!

The Garden is now open every night until 7 pm. The Orchid Daze display runs through April 15.

Dramatis personae: the orchids

The hanging Cube in the Orchid Atrium

Now that you've seen the Orchid Daze 2012 display as a whole you might like to meet some of the individuals in leading roles--the orchids, of course.

Rows of Dendrobium nobile occupy one side of the Cube

Dendrobium nobile hybrids are among the most rewarding orchid hybrids to grow and display. A well grown Dendrobium nobile hybrid will put any of the ubiquitous Dendrobium phalaenopsis hybrids completely into the shade. The flowers are larger, more colorful, more abundant. They make a gorgeous bouquet-like presentation. And they last a good 8 to 9 weeks in perfect condition before the flowers show any sign of decline. Once you have mastered these you may never want to grow another Den. phal hybrid.

Dendrobium Red Emperor 'Prince'

Dendrobium nobile hybrids are easy to grow. You just need to know one thing about them, and it's that one thing that sets them apart culturally from their Den. phal cousins. In a word, it's seasonality. In nature the growing conditions that they experience in summer are dramatically different from the conditions that they need in winter in order to set buds. In short: warm moist summers and cool dry very bright winters. These are the conditions you have to mimic in order to grow Dendrobium nobiles well.

In the summer we grow our Dendrobium nobile orchids in a 50% shade greenhouse at 80% humidity. We fertilize every two weeks with Cal Mag 15-5-15 from April through August and then stop the high nitrate fertilizer in order to harden off the new canes, which are staked for support. At Thanksgiving we move the nobiles (and the Dens in section Callista) into a nearly full sun greenhouse that drops to 53º at night, watering about every two weeks. This year, admittedly, a freaky warm year when all growth has been accelerated, they flowered in March.

The renowned growers and breeders of Dendrobium nobile hybrids at Yamamoto Dendrobiums have produced a terrific cheat sheet for growers. Don't forget to check out their gallery, which ought to get your pulse going!

Orchid Daze 2012, Hanging Gardens

Orchid Daze 2012, Hanging Gardens still looks magnificent in week 9.

In fact the entire Orchid Center & Conservatory are at their spring best, full of flowers (and flower photographers) and bursting with color.

The hanging tapestry of Pansy Orchids (Miltoniopsis) in the Conservatory Lobby is one of the most popular elements of the Orchid Daze display. Pansy Orchids produce a wonderful fragrance--far better than any synthetic perfume. They are one of my favorite orchids for big displays, with bold, long lasting flowers, good presentation, fragrance--and they look great with fine textured orchids like Oncidium Twinkle.

The  modernist Cube in the Orchid Atrium allows visitors to appreciate the orchids at eye level. It has become a favorite stopping place for photographers.

In the Orchid Display House three shimmering orchid rings hover above the Formal Bed.The metallic silver of the rings looks terrific with the cool colors of the Beallara and Phalaenopsis hybrids.

Orchid Daze 2012, Hanging Gardens runs through April 15. Be sure not to miss it!