Question
QUESTION: Howdy.  I've become obsessed with orchids, and living in south Florida has allowed me to explore several varieties.  My question for you is in two parts.  First, each dendrobium that I've purchases appears to be growing in what I've finally decided must be a chunk of coconut husk.  I'm guessing at some point I'm going to need to repot some of these things (I've seen large pots of dendrobiums at retail shops).  How does one deal with this coconut husk thing?  And, my second question is how do I determine for sure if each of my dendrobiums are evergreen or deciduous?  Certainly, the little stick with the name on it does not give this information.  To be honest, I'm not sure I'll treat them differently even if I figure it out, but if I knew I could at least work on being a better orchid mom!  Thanks for your able assistance, dt

ANSWER: Diana, coconut fibre or husk does not readily deteriorate as do other orchid potting mixes. It should be fine over the long haul.  If the dendrobium gets too large for the pot, simply shift the orchid plant with its coconut fiber to a larger pot and add more coconut fiber as needed in the new, larger pot.  The main drawback with coconut is that it tend to retains salts and needs to be flushed with rain water at least once a month.  Since the roots should have penetrated throughout the fiber this procedure will also help to prevent root damage during repotting.

As to your second question, the name can sometimes help to determine whether it is deciduous or evergreen. If you send me the name, I can look up the parentage.  The deciduous types are more sensitive to watering and need little or no watering during the rest period.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Wouldn't you know it?  Out of 7 dendrobiums, only three had plant sticks in them that indicated a name, and two of them are the same orchid.  So, I have Den.Dark Blue, and Den.Burana WH - Charming.  I have a few photos of the flowers on the others, but I'm not sure how much that would help.  In any case, I'm not sure how to attach them.  They all have the little tag that says they are KB dendrobiums.  

One good thing I can take away from your explanation is the salt deposit problem.  I have a very large pot where I collect rain water with a rain chain, and I use only that water for the orchids.  And relative to repotting, I'm guessing I'll know when it's time, based on how the plant fills the pot, right?  

And while I've got you in the orchid frame of mind, I'm also wondering what kinds of orchids I would have the best luck with on some large coral rocks in my yard.  I know that the term lithophytes is the group of orchids that are rock-dwellers, but I am not sure what that translates to at the dendrobium, cattleya, oncidium, etc. level.  I have this vision of seeing orchids in every space of my front and back yard, so rock and tree-mounting is my next grand adventure.  Any advice you can give that will increase my chances of success is MORE than appreciated!  

And, as an aside, I just learned that the American Orchid Society is about 30 minutes north of me (I'm in Fort Lauderdale), so guess where I'm headed on my next day off?  :)

Thanks for any and all advice and answers!  dt

Answer
For the past 30 years I have spent my vacations in the south of Florida visiting orchid nurseries.  These are fascinating places-- good advice for south Florida growers and plants also. When at the AOS headquartera, ask about their commercial orchid growers' directory to locate some of these places to visit.  A great many are in the Homestead area as well as Miami and Ft. Lauderdale.

Your dendrobiums are likely New Guinea hybrids.  The Den. Burana is of that type.  They are warm growers and tend to be evergreen.

As to your ambitions, I recommend you start by mounting your orchids on a tree.  Place a layer of coconut fiber between your plant and the tree when you mount it.  You may want to try a native florida orchid Encyclia tampensis or the Lady of the Night orchid (Brassavola nodosa).