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Dendrobium orchid - flowers gone - now what?

16 years ago

I received 3 dendrobium orchids for a house warming gift. They had lovely flowers on them and now have dropped off. What do I do now? With my Phalaenopsis, I know to cut back at the last node...but what do I do with these Dendrobium orchids? DO I cut the stem that the flowers were growing on? HELP!

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Comments (10)

mswmom
16 years ago
See if this site helps:

http://www.easyorchids.co.uk/site/content/view/18/41/
jane__ny
16 years ago
If the flowers were on a long spike, but it off when finished. It won't flower again.
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Interesting Jane. I never saw empty spikes unless the buds, alfter almost complete growth, turn yellow and fall off. To much water ....... I guess. I have 2 species of hard canes Dendro. One is doing well, the other not. I learned that they need a month with no water during the growth of the Spikes, between the end of the growth of the new canes and bloom time. Then you can start water, but not as much as summertime. Am I right ? I am trying this now and it seems to do well so far. with the other one (Celadon and red wine), it's complicated because they seem to keep growing. The canes are still short. They feel they are in july. I try to stop them in order to restart them in the spring in the right time. If I can. I like the challange .. hours of fun !
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jane__ny
16 years ago
sorry, meant 'cut.' I guess that's why they have a preview button.
orchid_girl_07
Original Author
16 years ago
So cut off the long spike where the flowers use to be? To where? As you can see I am clueless... I do have new canes and those will hopefully flower, right?
richardol
16 years ago
I like to cut the spike fairly short but leave enough so that I can see that the flowering occurred since one mark of good culture is that every new growth flowers.

Dendrobiums need quite a bit of light to grow well. To get it to flower again, you will need to have a growing area which will likely not be the same as the area where you had them to display.
orchid_girl_07
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you! I will move them to a sunnier window and continue to water and fertilize...any other tips?
terrysealey
16 years ago
What type of Den do you have? Some (nobile types) flower along the length of the cane with flowers comming off all along it. Do NOT cut this type back.

Others bloom in a similar way to a phal with a spike comming out of the top of the cane. This spike carries all of the flowers well clear of the cane itself. This spike can be cut back within an inch or so of the cane when it has finished blooming.
jane__ny
16 years ago
If your plant has spikes similar to these, cut them down near the leaves of the cane.

{{gwi:177849}}
ifraser25
16 years ago
DONT cut the stem. Many will reflower, even if they have no leaves and by cutting into the living tisue you always risk introducing disease.. The only canes I remove on mine are those that are shriveled and dead. If your plant shows no sign of new stems growing from the base, keep it dry for a while then water when it starts to regrow, which should be soon.
jane__ny
16 years ago
I thought I was clear, cut the spikes (flowering stems) not the canes! My photo is showing the flowering spikes, cut them off when finished.

Jane

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