Vivi's Orchid Corner

September 2002 - Volume 7, Issue 8

"Cane Dendrobiums: 'The Hardy Boys'"

Dear Orchid Friends:

Dendrobiums are some of the most popular orchids for beginners, amateurs and hobbyists, and for good reason. Dendrobiums produce striking inflorescences with many, many flowers. Sprays are long lasting and are available in such a myriad of colors to satisfy everyone's fancy. Dendrobiums make wonderful arrangements and are favorites of florists for their versatility and long lasting flowers. The genus Dendrobium contains well over a thousand species and even more hybrids. Thus, one can imagine the growing requirements for all these Dendrobiums are quite varied.

The cane Dendrobiums are truly adaptable species. These orchids love neglect and extremes of conditions. A renewed interest and new found admiration for cane Dendrobiums surfaced a few years ago. I have always enjoyed Dens and had many in my collection. For a short period, my Dendrobiums suffered because I failed to repot overgrown plants and those in which the medium had decomposed and now were retaining too much moisture. They did not respond as they had several years ago. The dilemma before me was whether to repot, discard or try to salvage my plants. I opted for the "Sink or Swim" treatment and mounted these failing cane orchids on tree trunks and branches throughout the yard.

The South Florida environment is tough on plants; intense sun, extreme high temperatures and extended periods of rain or drought. The canes looked withered and desiccated with little hope of survival. The newly mounted orchids did not fair well and busy schedules prevented me from rendering appropriate care. Over the year, they have made a surprising comeback with no assistance from me. The dens are healthy with new growth and roots have finally attached to the trunks. They bloom continuously throughout the year and reward me with beautiful color in my yard. There is always a different Dendrobiums in bloom.

ADAPTABLE, STRONG and HARDY: this is best description for cane Dendrobiums. What are some of my favorite orchids? Cane Dens! Not for my benches, but for my yard. The plants receive water only when it rains and are exposed to direct FULL Sun. They receive no fertilizer and have acclimated to the intense South Florida environment. During the cold winter months when temperatures drop into the 40s F at night, they are left to their own accord. If frost is imminent, I will mist them (if I remember).

Due to such versatility, I have taken large potted specimen Dendrobiums and removed them from the benches and placed the orchids on the patio under the pool screen enclosure in full sun. Prolific blooms!...and I don't fuss with them. During the cold winter nights, these potted orchids are moved under the patio awning if near frost temperatures are possible and stay outdoors to weather the cold. These cane Dendrobiums adjust remarkably well and continue to flourish.

Dendrobiums respond well to "Benign neglect". Leave them alone and they will reward you with multiple inflorescences at any given time. Are your cane Dens needing a boost? If you are lucky to live in South Florida, strategically place them around your yard and let them be. Yes, it takes them a while to acclimate, but they will and do acclimate. What a handsome addition they will become in your yard. Our tendency is to over-nurture our orchids. The "Sink or Swim" method really works. No fuss…how easy is that? Perhaps now you too will have a renewed interest in cane Dendrobiums!

Vivi