Question
I have a jade dendrobium that has 4 flowered long stalks. I'm quite new for growing orchids, but learning about their nature and techniques to grow. The plant that i have is a well matured plant with one taller shoot 3 foot surrounded by two more of 2 and 1 foot tall each. The plant is quite heavy for the pot plus the roots are all over. I want to know if i could repot when it is bloomed? We living in singapore and would like to know the watering schedule during and after flowering. I had kept the plant indoor facing north-east window. I would also like to know is this position fair enough.
AnswerCharulatha, congratulations on the great flowering. When it has finished flowering, your dendrobium will likely enter a rest period. After cutting off the old flower spikes, cut back on the watering to no more than once every two weeks and do not fertilize. Repotting should only occur when new growth makes its appearance at the base of the old growth. Dendrobiums prefer to be tightly potted, so use no larger pot than is necessary. Repotting it to a clay pot with lots of drainage holes will help to deal with the top heaviness of future flower spikes. You may also stake them with bamboo stakes to help with the top heaviness. Once you have repotted the plant, you may resume heavy feeding and watering to promote growth of the new shoots. You may then feed weekly with every watering at 1/2 tsp of plant food per gallon of water.
