The genus of orchids Dendrobium is represented by a huge number of diverse subgroups that differ from each other in appearance, arrangement of flowers and their size, specific care. A special place among them is occupied by a subspecies called Dendrobium nobile. Literally, this name can be translated as a noble orchid, which, by the way, corresponds to both the appearance of the plant and its refined aroma.
The Dendrobium nobile orchid is extremely popular among both experienced and beginner gardeners. The fact is that caring for it is much easier than for other types of orchids. At the same time, this species is in no way inferior to most of its relatives in its beauty. However, this tropical beauty is still capricious - like a significant part of ornamental crops, and therefore a grower who decides to acquire such a flower should prepare for this in advance.
Dendrobium nobile: photo and description
Dendrobium nobile is one of the most beautiful species of orchids. It has very large flowers - their diameter reaches 9 centimeters. The length of the shoots is on average about 50 cm, the minimum height of the plant is 30 cm.
The leaves are quite large, elongated. Pseudobulbs are formed on the plant - this is how flower growers call the thickening of the stems, in which nutrients and water accumulate. By the way, in the second year of cultivation, these pseudobulbs may bloom.
The orchid species Dendrobium nobile is an epiphyte. Under natural conditions, this plant settles in the cracks of the bark, you can often find it on tree branches. It is worth noting that the flower has a pronounced dormant period - at this time, growth stops. Failure to follow the rules of care or the occurrence of a stressful situation can cause the orchid to miss the flowering period. However, once all bugs are fixed, the number of peduncles will double!
It is worth noting that all varieties of Dendrobium found on sale are hybrid forms created on the basis of wild species. Breeders have worked to breed them to produce plants that are hardy and resistant to growing indoors. The Dendrobium nobile orchid can become a decoration of any interior: it will perfectly fit into both strict cold minimalism and luxurious classics.
Features of care
For the Dendrobium nobile orchid, home care has a number of features. To get betterto understand, it is necessary to understand that the entire development cycle of a plant can be divided into four main periods:
- vegetation - at this time, sprouts appear at the base of the old pseudobulbs, the so-called babies, which are used for reproduction;
- growth of new pseudobulbs;
- dormant period when the plant lays future flower stalks;
- bloom.
So what conditions must be observed for the Dendrobium nobile orchid to grow and bloom profusely?
Lighting
In its natural environment, this species grows in bright but diffused light. For the normal development of Dendrobium Nobile at home, daylight hours are needed, which is at least 10-15 hours. There is usually not enough light in the rooms, so experienced flower growers recommend keeping orchids from May to September on the east or west windows (while they should be protected from direct sunlight with light curtains), and in winter they should be moved to windows located on the south side. In addition, in winter, plants need additional illumination with special lamps. On cold days, flowers should be removed from windowsills.
In order for the growth of the orchid to be uniform and the trunk to be even, it is necessary to periodically turn the pot with the plant. By the way, in the summer you can take the Dendrobium nobile outdoors. The main sign that the plant has enough light is juicy green leaves.
If there is too much light, the orchid continues to grow, growing pseudobulbs. However, they differsmaller size, which may affect flowering. If the lighting is insufficient, the pseudobulbs become thin and long, and the plant itself does not bloom.
Humidity
Like other epiphytes, orchids of this species do not tolerate dry air. Florists are advised to carefully monitor the level of humidity. If it is low, it needs to be raised. There are several ways. For example, you can put moss in a tray under a pot and moisten it regularly. Another option is to spray the plant with boiled water. You can cover the orchid with a plastic bag or place it in a special greenhouse.
Temperature conditions
Demanding these orchids and temperature. So, you need a difference between night and day indicators. During the daytime, the temperature should be around +22 … +27 °C, and at night it should not rise above +20 °C, without falling below +17 °C. The main advantage of Dendrobium nobile can be considered its endurance - the plant can withstand even 30-degree heat, however, for a short time.
Irrigation
Orchid care also includes watering. In summer, the plant needs 2-3 waterings per week, in winter this amount should be reduced. Please note - orchids can be watered only after the top layer of the substrate or moss dries well. Flowers in pots are watered from above, but blocks and baskets are best placed in water for five minutes. It is important that water does not get inside the rosettes and pseudobulbs! ATotherwise, the process of decay may begin.
You cannot use plain tap water for watering orchids, it must certainly be soft. The best option is boiled water, the temperature of which is 3-5 degrees higher than the air temperature in the room where Dendrobium nobile grows.
Starting from April, fertilizers can be added to the water, which contain equal amounts of phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. It is worth feeding orchids with such nutritious moisture after two waterings for the third. Stop fertilizing in September.
By the way, if you want to encourage an orchid to bloom, you can give it a hot shower. The water temperature should be 40 °C.
Soil selection
All epiphytes also need the right choice of soil. It should be quite poor and loose. You can purchase a ready-made substrate or make it yourself by mixing:
- shredded pine bark;
- peat;
- moss.
Charcoal should also be added to the Dendrobium nobile orchid mixture. Please note: there should be no potassium in the soil - orchids do not tolerate it well.
Choose a pot
Ordinary pots, hanging baskets are suitable for this type of orchid. The main thing is to ensure good drainage. For this, at least a quarter of the height of the container is allocated. At the bottom you can lay out broken bricks, crushed granite. But limestone and expanded clay will not work - they contain calcium. Baskets should be laid with a thick layer of sphagnum. Look goodorchids attached to snags.
Before filling the pot with the substrate, both the container and the soil should be disinfected - pour boiling water and leave for 15 minutes, then dry thoroughly.
Please note: orchids love tight pots. After planting, the distance between the walls of the container and the roots of the plant should not exceed two centimeters.
Fertilizers
Caring for Dendrobium Nobile is impossible to imagine without the use of top dressings and fertilizers. It is necessary to make them during a period of intensive growth. It is best to use special formulations for orchids. When the plant is at rest, it should not be fed.
Post-flowering care
There is nothing complicated in caring for the Dendrobium nobile orchid after flowering. For example, if your specimen has faded, just purchased at a flower shop, you don’t need to do anything with it - the soil has not yet become unusable, and therefore the orchid can grow further in the same pot. But if the plant has pleased you with flowering for more than one year, it will need to be transplanted into a fresh substrate. It is also important to pay attention to the pseudobulbs: if they are fully formed, you can start the transplant process.
Worries inexperienced flower growers and the question of what to do with already faded pseudobulbs. Some even want to cut them. You don't need to do this! After all, the pseudobulb is the source of nutrition for the plant, and therefore, if it is in a he althy state, it is not recommended to cut it. Remove only old shoots that are sick ordry up. You can do this at home - you need to cut them at the very base with sharp scissors, and sprinkle the cut with ground cinnamon or activated charcoal. In addition, after flowering has ended, the temperature and humidity in the room should be increased. Once every two weeks, growers are advised to use mineral fertilizers.
By the way, there is one way to prolong flowering. To do this, you need to maintain the temperature in the room within + 18 … + 20 ° C during the day and at night.
Winter care
When caring for Dendrobium nobile orchids at home, its active growth begins in the spring, when the light improves. At this time, it is necessary to increase watering, fertilize. If there is enough moisture and light, and the temperature regime meets all the requirements, by October this orchid grows a large number of leaves and forms he althy pseudobulbs. In the future, professional flower growers note, two options are possible:
- if the conditions are favorable, the growth of the orchid continues, flower stalks are formed;
- if the conditions are not very favorable, the plant falls asleep, the tips of the roots dry up.
In the first case, nothing needs to be changed, but in the second case, it is necessary to transfer the Dendrobium Nobile to a cool room (the optimum temperature is no more than +10 °C), limit watering.
Diseases
Speaking about caring for the Dendrobium nobile, one cannot but mention the diseases that affect this plant. Let's tryunderstand their reasons.
Dry brown spots appear on orchid leaves? This is a sure sign of sunburn. But weeping spots are usually caused by various fungi. Sometimes the flower begins to grow horizontally. The reason for this is an acute lack of light and improper watering. Sometimes gray rot appears on the leaves. This is due to spraying orchids at low indoor temperatures.
Dendrobium nobile: home care, photos and videos of transplants
Experienced growers know that all Dendrobiums are extremely painful to transplant, and therefore it should be carried out no more than once every two to three years. This can be done only in case of urgent need, for example, if the pot has become cramped, pseudobulbs hang over the edges of the container, orchid growth has stopped.
Replant the plant should be in the spring. The old soil must be completely removed from the roots. The easiest way is to soak the orchid pot in water. After that, the roots need to be examined, damaged or dry areas removed, sprinkled with charcoal. Do not cauterize slices with brilliant green or preparations containing alcohol. The roots should then be left for a few hours to dry out.
The container must be filled with drainage, pour the substrate into a slide. The roots of the plant should be straightened, covered with soil voids. It is recommended to place the flower in the center without deepening the pseudobulbs. Then the pot must be left in a dark room, the temperature in which is about 20 degrees. Wateringorchid stands 3-4 days after transplanting.
Mistakes in caring for orchids
The main mistake that almost all beginner growers make is overwatering. Of course, orchids love moisture, but not in a pot, but in the air. There is an easy way to determine if it is time to water the plant: a network of wrinkles should appear on the lower leaves. Another misconception is that this plant needs a transparent pot. In fact, it is not an orchid that needs it, but a florist. So it is much easier to observe the state of the roots. By the way, in no case should they be allowed to turn green - this indicates improper watering. The roots of a he althy plant are pearl green. Orchids should not be watered in the afternoon. By evening, the air temperature drops, so at this time the substrate should already be dry. Watering errors are indicated by the presence of condensate on the walls of the pot.
Don't overfeed the plant. An excess of fertilizer is indicated by the acquisition of a brown color by the roots, the drying of their tips.
