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Need advise on general care

16 years ago

I have two orchids with which I would like your assistance.

1. Dendrobium Proud Appeal 'Ace". I've had it for a little over a year and it has not bloomed. I have recently begun to suspect that it needs a winter rest with no fertilizer, no water and rather cool tempts. Is that correct?

2. Paphiopedilum Hainanense x Paph. Wolterianum. Purchased same time as Den., but this one was in spike when I got it. It bloomed nicely but has not bloomed again. Can anyone advise on proper care and how to get it into the flower cycle?

Thanks,

Mulchlady

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Comments (5)

arthurm
16 years ago
The Dendobium has a mixed ancestry. New Guinea species and some warm growing hard-cane types plus nigrohirsuite types. Perhaps slightly reduced watering in winter and a slight reduction in temperature. Hard to advise without some indication of your growing conditions.

Passing on the Paph.
mulchlady
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks. My plants are in a heated greenhouse. During the day the temps can get into the high 80's and sometimes into the low 90's. There are auto vents and an exust fan to keep air movemnet going and cool things down when it gets really hot. At night, it's about 59. Very good light, but orchids are protected from direct sun. I try not to overwater, but the pots dry out pretty quickly. I use 1/4 strength orchid food.

Hope that gives you a better idea.

Mulchlady
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highjack
16 years ago
Mulchlady do you have new growths on your paph? When a new growth matures, it will bloom. It might not be the season for it to bloom yet if you have new growths.

I have some sitting, some spiking and some blooming.

Brooke
arthurm
16 years ago
Proud Appeal is a very mixed up Dendrobium.
Parents: Midnight, Formidible
Grand Parents: Gracia Lewis, atroviolaceum, formosum, infundibum
Gracia Lewis is macrophyllum x xsuperbiens
xsuperbeins is discolor x bigibbum

I really do not have a clue how to grow it as the only orchids that i grow from the above list are xsuperbiens and bigibbum. Both need it drier with warm day temperatures, high light in winter, but they are way back in the pedigree. Suggest you look up cultivation notes for the three species grandparents for clues OR go back to the purchase source and ask for cultivation suggestions.
mulchlady
Original Author
16 years ago
Two sets of leaves opened about a month ago, but no signs of a spike forming. I purchased the den. from Charley's Greenhouse who puchased it from Carter & Holmes. Charley's really didn't know anything about it and the Carter & Holmes website was not very helpful.

My guess is to follow some general care for dens. and restrict water and food during the winter and wait to see what happens.

Mulchlady

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