Orchid Dreams: Captivating Beauty of Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum
This blog post is about growing and bloom Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum orchids. Thus far I have been a total failure in growing and getting them to bloom. Therefore, more research into this orchid and it’s needs. Thus the reason for this post.
My history with Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum Orchids
I purchased my first Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum Orchid in 1998. It died later when I was working as consultant. In 2018, I decided well maybe the time is right to try again. Part of that plant died and it did not grow well. Since one of my projects is getting my plants to bloom and grow well. Fixing this lack of knowledge for me means research and reading to fill in my lack of knowledge. Then change my methods to grow and bloom this variety. Thus the journey to learn more and share it in this post.
Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum Orchid in bloom
Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum and their history
About Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum orchids plants have round, hard stem with green color and about 30-60 cm long, with many longitudinal grooves running along the stem. They usually have 3-5 leaves per stem, the size of the leaf is the same as that of the Dendrobium Amabile, but it is thinner, more pointed, bluish, slightly glossy in appearance. What attached me to this orchid was the blooms.
So what do I need do?
First, I looked up the Wiki on this orchid. Most likely I am missing the blooming cues that helps them know when to bloom. Also likely, I maybe over watered in low light winter time. These are the grow hints I found. The first hint, they really need to dry out between watering and even shrivel a little. Second hint, keep them wet again from spring through fall. Last hint, the grow up high in deciduous humid forests at altitudes ranging from 1200 to 2000 meters (about 3,900 to 6,500 feet). I live at 1,400 feet. So I need to use a water spray daily on the leaves and stalks to simulate the natural environment.
A mature dendrobium thyrsiflorum produces 30 to 50 fragrant flowers! These flowers are between 5 to 10 centimeters (2 to 3.9 inches) and cluster together, forming beautiful bunches. They are white with a yellowish center and last for 5 to 7 days. This takes a great deal of energy. So fertilization and feeding bacteria on the roots will be critical.
So my take away using super biodynamic methods
So I will apply spray daily of water with light sugar added to rice water for the nutrients . Also I learned like some of my Phalaenopsis orchids the fall temperature drop becomes a blooming cue. Use a temperature drop to help starting a cue for a blooming process. Thus biodynamic rice water and ash water will be used in greater quantity. Will update this post later with results.