Hello there, new caretaker! From my perspective as a Dendrobium orchid, my most fundamental need is a stable and breathable home. I despise having my roots sit in water; they will quickly rot and I will perish. Therefore, I require a very specific potting medium. Please plant me in a small pot with excellent drainage—clay pots are fantastic as they allow air to reach my roots. My ideal home is not soil, but rather a chunky, loose mix of orchid bark, sphagnum moss, and maybe some perlite. This mixture holds a tiny amount of moisture but primarily provides air pockets for my roots to breathe and anchor myself. I feel most secure when my roots are snug, not swimming in a huge pot.
My watering needs are a delicate dance. I am a tropical plant, so I enjoy humidity, but I am also an epiphyte, meaning I naturally grow on trees and absorb moisture from the air. The rule is to water me thoroughly, then let me almost completely dry out before watering again. A good way to check is to stick your finger about an inch into my potting mix; if it feels dry, it's time for a drink. Please use lukewarm water, and ideally, rainwater or distilled water, as my roots are sensitive to the chemicals and salts in tap water. Overwatering is the quickest way to make me unhappy.
To produce my beautiful, cascading flowers, I need abundant, bright, but indirect light. Direct, harsh sunlight will scorch my leaves, leaving ugly brown marks. A spot near an east or south-facing window (with a sheer curtain) is perfect. I can tell you I'm getting enough light if my leaves are a light to medium green color. If they are dark green, I need more light; if they are yellowish or have brown spots, it's too much. I also thrive with a distinct temperature drop at night, a difference of about 10-15°F (5-8°C) from the daytime temperature. This mimics my natural mountain habitat and is crucial for triggering my bloom cycle.
While my potting medium doesn't provide much nutrition, I still need food to grow and bloom. During my active growth period (typically spring and summer), please feed me with a balanced, water-soluble orchid fertilizer diluted to half-strength every other week. In my dormant period (fall and winter), you can reduce feeding to once a month or stop altogether. I also appreciate a humid environment. If your home is dry, placing my pot on a tray of pebbles with water (ensuring my pot is not sitting in the water) or occasionally misting the air around me will make me feel right at home.
