The genus of orchids Dendrobium is represented by a huge number of different subgroups that differ from each other in appearance, arrangement of flowers and their size, specifics in the 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 the appearance of the plant and its sophisticated aroma.
Orchid Dendrobium nobile is extremely popular among both experienced and novice gardeners. The fact is that caring for it is much easier than for other types of orchids. At the same time, this species is not inferior to most relatives in its beauty. However, this tropical beauty is still moody - like a significant part of the ornamental crops, and therefore the plant grower who decided to get such a flower should be prepared for this in advance.
Dendrobium nobile: photo and description
Dendrobium nobile can be safely called one of the most beautiful types of orchids. He has very large flowers - their diameter reaches 9 centimeters. The length of the shoots on average is 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 what flower growers call thickening of stems, in which nutrients and water accumulate. By the way, in the second year of cultivation, these pseudobulbs can bloom.
The orchid species Dendrobium nobile is an epiphyte. Under natural conditions, this plant settles in the cracks of the bark, it is often possible to meet 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 lead to the fact that the orchid misses the flowering period. However, as soon as all errors are eliminated, the number of peduncles will double!
It is worth noting that all the varieties of Dendrobium on sale are hybrid forms created on the basis of wild species. Breeders worked on their breeding in order to obtain plants characterized by unpretentiousness and resistance to growing at home. Orchid Dendrobium Nobile can be an adornment of any interior: it perfectly fits both strict cold minimalism and luxurious classics.
Care Features
For the Dendrobium Nobile orchid, home care has a number of features. In order to better understand, you need to understand that the entire cycle of plant development can be divided into four main periods:
- vegetation - at this time at the base of old pseudobulbs sprouts appear, the so-called babies, which are used for reproduction;
- the growth of new pseudobulbs;
- a dormant period when the plant lays future peduncles;
- bloom.
So what conditions must be observed for the Dendrobium Nobile orchid to grow and bloom profusely?
Lighting
In the natural environment, this species grows in bright but scattered light. For normal development, Dendrobium nobile at home needs daylight hours of at least 10-15 hours. The rooms usually do not have enough light, so experienced gardeners recommend keeping orchids from May to September on the eastern or western windows (at the same time they should be protected from direct sunlight with light curtains), and in winter, move 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 the 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, builds up pseudobulbs. However, they are smaller in size, which may affect flowering. If the lighting is insufficient, the pseudobulbs become thin and long, and the plant itself does not bloom.
Air 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 is necessary to raise it. There are several ways. For example, you can put moss in a pan 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 put in a special greenhouse.
Temperature mode
Demanding these orchids and temperature. So, a difference is needed between the night and day indicators. In the daytime, the temperature should be around + 22 ... + 27 ° C, and at night not rise above +20 ° C, without dropping 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.
Watering
Orchid care includes watering. In summer, the plant needs 2-3 irrigation per week, in winter this amount should be reduced. Please note that orchids can only be watered after the top layer of the substrate or moss dries thoroughly. 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 outlets and pseudobulbs! Otherwise, the process of decay may begin.
For watering orchids, you can not use plain tap water, 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 the Dendrobium Nobile grows.
Starting in April, fertilizers can be added to the water that contain equal amounts of phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. To feed orchids with such nutritious moisture is two waterings for a third. Stop applying fertilizers in September.
By the way, if you want to stimulate the flowering of orchids, you can give her a hot shower. The water temperature should be 40 ° C.
Soil selection
All epiphytes also need the right choice of soil. She should be quite poor and loose. You can purchase a finished substrate or make it yourself by mixing:
- chopped pine bark;
- peat;
- moss.
Charcoal should also be added to the mixture for the Dendrobium nobile orchid. Please note: there should not be potassium in the soil - orchids do not tolerate it well.
Pot selection
For this type of orchid, ordinary pots and hanging baskets are suitable. The main thing is to provide good drainage. For this, at least a quarter of the height of the tank is allocated. At the bottom you can lay broken brick, granite crushed stone. But limestone and expanded clay are not suitable - they contain calcium. Baskets should be laid with a thick layer of sphagnum. Orchids fixed on snags look good.
Before filling the pot with a 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, between the walls of the container and the roots of the plant, the distance should not exceed two centimeters.
Fertilizers
It is impossible to imagine caring for the Dendrobium nobile without the use of fertilizing and fertilizing. They must be brought in during a period of intensive growth. It is best to use special compositions for orchids. When the plant is at rest, it should not be fed.
Care after flowering
There is nothing complicated in caring for the Dendrobium Nobile orchid after flowering. For example, if you have a bloomed specimen that you just purchased at a flower shop, you don’t need to do anything with it - the soil has not deteriorated, and therefore the orchid can grow further in the same pot. But if the plant pleased you with flowering for more than one year, it will need a transplant into a fresh substrate. At the same time, it is important to pay attention to pseudobulbs: if they are fully formed, the transplantation process can begin.
The inexperienced gardeners are also worried about the question of what to do with already faded pseudobulbs. Some even want to crop them. You do not need to do this! After all, a pseudobulb is a plant's nutritional source, and therefore, if it is in a healthy state, it is not recommended to trim it. Only old shoots that are sick or dry out should be removed. You can do this at home - you need to cut them at the base with sharp scissors, and sprinkle the cut with ground cinnamon or activated charcoal. In addition, after flowering has ended, the temperature and humidity should be increased in the room. Once every two weeks, plant growers are advised to use mineral fertilizers.
By the way, there is one way to extend flowering. To do this, you need to maintain the temperature in the room, day and night, within + 18 ... + 20 ° C.
Winter Care
When caring for the Dendrobium nobile orchids at home, its active growth begins in the spring, when the illumination improves. At this time, it is necessary to increase watering, to fertilize. If there is enough moisture and light, and the temperature regime meets all the requirements, by October this orchid will grow a large number of leaves and form healthy pseudobulbs. In the future, professional flower growers note, two options are possible:
- if conditions are favorable, orchid growth continues, flower stalks are formed;
- in the event that the conditions are not very favorable, the plant falls asleep, the tips of the roots dry out.
In the first case, you do not need to change anything, but in the second, you need to transfer the Dendrobium Nobile to a cool room (the optimum temperature is no more than +10 ° C), to limit watering.
Disease
Speaking of caring for the Dendrobium Nobile, one can not help but say about the diseases that affect this plant. Let's try to figure out their reasons.
Dry brown spots appear on the leaves of the orchid? This is a sure sign of sunburn. But wet spots are usually caused by various fungi. Sometimes a 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 happens due to spraying orchids at low air temperature in the room.
Dendrobium Nobile: home care, transplant photos and videos
Plant growers with experience 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.
The plant should be transplanted in the spring. It is necessary to completely remove the old soil from the roots. The easiest way is to soak a pot of orchid in water. After this, the roots need to be inspected, removed damaged or dry areas, sprinkled with charcoal. Do not cauterize slices with brilliant green or preparations containing alcohol. Then the roots should be left for several hours so that they dry out.
The tank must be filled with drainage, pour a substrate with a slide. The roots of the plant should be straightened, covered with soil of emptiness. 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. Watering the orchid is 3-4 days after transplanting.
Mistakes in Orchid Care
The main mistake made by almost all beginner growers is excessive watering. Of course, orchids love moisture, but not in a pot, but in the air. There is a simple way to determine if it is time to water the plant: a net of wrinkles should appear on the lower leaves. Another misconception is that this plant needs a transparent pot. In fact, this is not an orchid, but a grower. So 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 healthy plant have a pearl green hue. Orchids should not be watered in the afternoon. By evening, the air temperature drops, so at this time the substrate should already be dry. Errors in watering are indicated by the presence of condensation on the walls of the pot.
Do not overfeed the plant. An excess of fertilizers is indicated by the acquisition by the roots of a brown color, the drying of their tips.