TheDendrobiumgenus is one of the largest of allorchidgroups with more than 1,500 species.
Dendrobiums are primarily epiphytes, meaning they grow on other plants but don’t take nutrients from the host.
In nature, they’re often found growing on tree branches.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Some are deciduous and drop their leaves in the fall, and some hold their leaves year-round.
If cared for properly, a dendrobium lives for decades.
Soil
Purchase aspecial orchid growing mixturewhen potting or repotting that mimics their environment in the wild.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Simply stick your finger in the medium to determine when you should water.
If it feels wet, wait to water until it has dried out slightly.
During the winter months, space the watering out more without letting the medium dry out entirely.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Overwatering leads to root rot and ultimately causes the plant to yellow or wilt.
Dendrobiums prefer a humidity level between 50 and 70% (with a minimum of 45%).
Brown leaf tips usually indicate that the air is too dry for your orchid.
Dendrobium phalaenopsisStefano / flickr / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Fertilizer
Feed the orchid regularly during the growing season with a balanced orchidfertilizer, following label instructions.
At the end of the growing season, reduce fertilizer by about half.
Clipping this stem off does not promote reblooming, as is the case with other types of orchids.
Dendrobium discolorAllthingsnative / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Repotting is usually needed every two to three years and is best done in the spring.
Repotting is needed if the plant outgrows its pot or the potting mix has broken down and loses aeration.
Large infestations may require spraying with a commercial pesticide formulated for houseplants.
Dendrobium thyrsiflorumMotohiro Sunouchi / flickr / CC BY 2.0
Petal blight, a fungal disease, sometimes causes spotting on the flower petals.
Affected blossoms should be removed.
Ifblooming seems suboptimal, try providing your orchid with more light.
Dendrobium atroviolaceumOrchi / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Improper temperatures also cause orchids to be shy about blooming.
These plants also need regular feeding during their active growing season.
Most likely, though, is sun scald due to too much exposure to direct sunlight.
Dendrobium bellatulumMotohiro Sunouchi / flickr / CC BY 2.0
Dendrobium orchids will tolerate partial shade and some direct sun, but bright indirect light is better.
Low humidity can also cause leaves to dry up and turn brown.
Most dendrobium orchids prefer a spot next to a south-facing window or under a grow light.
Dendrobium linguiformeGeoff Derrin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Temperatures should remain between 70F and 85F, with a nighttime drop of about 10 degrees.
Some species only bloom once per year.
Black or Brown Leaf Tips on Orchids.
St. Augustine Orchid Society.
Fragrant Orchids.New York Botanical Garden.
