Orchid Care & Growing

How to Care for your Dendrobium Orchid

The Dendrobium orchid is one of the easiest to grow and most rewarding of orchid plants. The blooms last for months making this orchid a favorite, especially for the novice orchid grower. The Dendrobium Orchid is beautiful as a gift or in your home or office.

WATER

• Plants should be watered every 7-10 days, allowing the plant to dry out in between watering.
• Run tepid water through the pot letting it run out of the bottom.
• Water early in the morning to allow the plant to dry out by the evening.
• In warmer weather, water more often.

FEEDING

• Fertilize using a complete fertilizer, such as Grow More 20-10-20. Mix at a rate of ½ teaspoon per gallon. (Try keeping a container of food, premixed to make it easier).
• Fertilize on a regular basis about every other watering during the summer months and every third watering during the winter months.

LIGHT and TEMPERATURE

• Plants grow best near bright windows, with no direct sunlight.
• Most ideal is an east facing window, or a shaded south or west exposure.
• Temperatures should range between 70 to 85 degrees F during the day and be above 60 degrees F at night. Generally, if you're comfortable, then the plant is comfortable also.
• When the plant is in bloom, it is fine to display in a prominent spot.

HUMIDITY AND CIRCULATION

• Since the plant prefers good humidity, try placing the plant on a bed of small rocks, filled with water. This is especially important if the air conditioner or heater is in use.
• The leaves, (not the flowers) can also be misted.
• Provide some air movement if possible.

REPOTTING

• Repot in the spring after blooming season, using an orchid bark mix.
• Repot when the roots of the plant become overly pot-bound or when the mix begins to deteriorate, usually about every 2 years.
• This orchid prefers a smaller pot for the size of the plant.