Dendrobiums


Dendrobium wall in burn zone

Many growers shy away from Dendrobes and it is understandable because of their reputation as difficult and inconsistent growers. The problem has been cultural practices from the suppliers and distributors and buyers' lack of understanding of their cultural requirements. This is unfortunate. If you have bright and airy conditions, these plants are a delight. Here are suggestions:


1. All biggibum types do very well slabbed. Although they will grow in small sized clay pots with open mix.
2. Phalaenopsis type Dendrobiums and many other dendrobiums must be very underpotted.
3. They must have a minimal amount of an open type mix. They will be top heavy, so it helps to stake securely and to weight the bottom of the pots. Use extra drainage material to reduce mix in the pot.
4. They prefer clay pots which lets them dry out quickly.
5. Water often when temperatures are warm. Reduce watering if night time temperatures drop below 62 degrees.
6. Use absolutely minimal nitrogen fertilizers. When in active growth, fertilize often with low dilution.
7. Selected plants that might form keikis (off shoots) - wait until root development is 3" - 4" and remove and slab or pot.
8. Discard plants that are inferior, difficult to flower, have consistent bud drop or form too many keikis.


Bigibbum Compactum Types

Sentinel has been collecting bigibbum types since 1980. Bigibbum is the small form of Dendrobium phalaenopsis. We have selected what we consider the best in species and hybrids. The types that are offered are easy to grow and will usually flower more than once a year with 2" flowers that are long lasting. We transferred all the bigibbum types to cork slabs. They form specimens quickly and are very rewarding with myriads of flowers. From October through March reduce watering unless they tell you that they are active. If they make keikis, wait until they establish roots and remove them and reslab. All of these plants are blooming size, propagated from stock and are in limited quantities. There are usually a few smaller plants available at lesser cost.

Dendrobium bigibbum compactum 'Harford' HCC/AOS - 78 pts. $20. - $50.00
Sentinel received the award on this plant in 1990 as Dendrobium phalaenopsis var. compactum. It is an exceptional grower with dark pink flowers of fine form. Main flowering season is August. It is a good idea to have more than one because they make a spectacular displays. Maximum plant size is 9". Flowering size to large plants.

Dendrobium Darlin Imp 'Pink Showers'. $20. - $40.00
( D. Little Profusion x D. bigibbum compactum). Most prolific bloomer of the group with as many as 22 medium pink flowers on one inflorescence. Will usually have more than one inflorescence per cane with as many as five. Plant size to 9".

Dendrobium Darlin Imp 'Pink Stars'. $20. - $40.00
Long spikes with 15 to 20 flowers medium pink with darker lip. Plant size to 10".


Dendrobium Darlin Imp 'Sentinel's Candy Stripe'. $30. - $50.00
Don't let the taller plant size of up to 20" scare you. The canes grow very tightly. Spectacular vertical inflorescences of perfectly arranged pink flowers with darker purple candy stripes. Very unusual.

 

 

 

Dendrobium Lavender Jewel 'Richella'. $40. - $50.00
Fat plants to 10" with inflorescences of very dark purple beautifully formed flowers with white edging.

 

Dendrobium Pinky
(D. Little Profusion x D. dicuphum). An extraordinary result for this hybrid. Stout canes to 20" can produce up to four inflorescences each. Spectacular 16" mass of flowers beautifully aligned on pendent inflorescences with as many as 36 starry, 2" pink flowers and dark purple lip.

 

'Sentinel's Pink Munchkin' HCC/AOS. 78pts. 10/21/92. $75.00
Clear pink with tiny purple darts at ends of petals.
'Sentinel's Purple Exception'. $40. - $85.00
Light pink center with light purple flaring at sepal and petal ends.

Other Dendrobiums

Dendrobium Andree Millar & New Guinea types. $30.00
(D. atroviolaceum x D. convolutum). Easy to grow, topped with clusters of green flowers with purple striations on lip.

Dendrobium Jaquelyn Thomas 'Sentinel's Amethyst'. $30.00 - $60.00
Spectacular variety. One of the best overall Dendrobiums that I have seen. Attractive plants with massive flowering capabilities and beautiful growth habit. 2 1/4" full, semi-antelope amethyst flowers with white centers and darker amethyst lips. Up to 19 flowers per inflorescence with as many as 4 spikes per cane. Fat canes to 20". Exhibition type.


Dendrobium Kuniko 'Stars 'N' Stripes' HCC/AOS. $60.00
(D. miyakei x D. Victoria Reginae). More compact growth habit than standard. Intensely striped purplish blue flowers in clusters.

 

(Dendrobium Mabel Furosho x D. Phalaenopsis 'Red Lip'). $100.00
A very special well behaved plant to two feet in height from the Richella collection. Inflorescence with up to 16, 3" full white flowers with amethyst picotee on petals and a beautiful white lip beautifully patterned in purple and amethyst. One of the most beautiful Dendrobiums I have seen.