Dendrobium faciferum, like all other orchids, has its own unique requirements when it comes to cultivation. This orchid, however, is relatively simple to take care of and is appropriate for beginners as well as experts.
In this article, we bring you a comprehensive guide on how to nurture this orchid so that it can bloom all year round. Continue reading to find out the secrets to making your orchid thrive every single time.
Contents
What Is Dendrobium Faciferum?
Dendrobium faciferum is a medium to large-sized epiphyte in nature. It grows on trees, and specifically old mangroves, at elevations of around 380 yards (350 meters) above the sea level.
This unique-looking orchid is also called the “all-facing Dendrobium” because of its completely upright stature. Find out more of its exciting features here.
– Flowers
- This orchid often blooms at least twice per year. Larger, mature plants have been known to flower all year round.
- Each inflorescence of Dendrobium faciferum emerges from the apex of a mature stem and produces two to five flowers.
- Individual flowers are half an inch in size and range from bright yellow to orange in color.
- Dendrobium faciferum petals of the inner whorl are oval in shape, while those of the outer whorl are triangular.
- This orchid also has a large, sharpened ovoid dorsal petal and a tri-lobed lip.
– Stems and Leaves
- The stems of this orchid are erect and can grow up to be 40 inches in height.
- These stems are greyish-brown in color and have yellow-green stripes on them.
- Each stem branches towards the apex to produce several leaves.
- The leaves of Dendrobium faciferum are about 3 inches long and shaped like a lance.
- One unique feature of these leaves is that they are shiny on the top side and darker below. They also have dirty violet sheaths on them.
Dendrobium Faciferum Care
Caring for this unique orchid has never been any easier. Our seasoned orchidists bring you their expert knowledge to make this process feel more like fun than a chore.
– Light
- Faciferum falls in the category of Dendrobiums that need bright but indirect, filtered light.
- Sunlight is, of course, the best kind of light. Put these plants in partial shade near a window if you can if you grow them indoors. If grown outdoors, they should be placed under the shade of a larger tree.
- Early morning sunlight is most conducive for optimum orchid growth. In the northern hemisphere, eastern-facing windows provide bright early sunlight in the mornings and partial shade throughout the rest of the day.
- Keep in mind that, as you move your orchids away from the window, light intensity tends to fall down rapidly. Even at a distance of 1 yard, light intensity is only a quarter of what it was at the window.
- As an exception to the general rule, if you live in an area with an inherently low level of sunlight, then your orchids can even be placed under direct sunlight.
- If you must substitute natural light for artificial lights, then use specialized fluorescent or plant lights and place them at a distance of no more than 10 inches from the orchids.
– Water
The water requirements of the Dendrobium faciferum vary from season to season.
Therefore, you should not keep up with the same water regimen all year round.
Water During Growth Season
- The growth season of Dendrobium faciferum lasts from spring till fall each year.
- During this period, give this orchid plenty of water and do not allow the substrate to become dry at any time.
- Use a potting medium that retains moisture for long periods without getting soggy.
- Because bare-rooted forms of orchids do not have any potting medium to retain moisture, they should be watered every single day.
- Using orchid bark or compost in the top layer of the soil also helps to retain moisture for the plant.
- Each time you water your Dendrobium faciferum, use a rather large volume of water and let it run through the entire plant. This way you can also wash away the dirt, grime, and any potential pests from it.
– Water During Rest Season
- The resting season of faciferum orchids lasts from fall till the spring of next year.
- Gradually reduce the frequency of waterings. Towards the end of fall, you can start allowing the soil to become dry in between each watering.
– Soil: The Right Substrate and Potting Medium
There are a variety of ways you can keep these ornamental orchids at home. Continue below to find out what they are.
– Bare-Rooted Orchids
One very popular way of growing orchids at home is the bare-rooted form. You can either mount them on pieces of cork or barks. As an alternative, you can hang them in a breathable mesh work basket with pieces of cork as substrate. When growing this orchid this way, always water it daily and maintain high humidity levels.
– Potted Orchids
The most convenient method of growing and caring for orchids is to pot them. This is even truer for faciferum orchids because of their large size. The right type of soil and potting medium for Dendrobium faciferum orchids is one that is loose and breathable.
It should also be adequately draining. We personally recommend the following soil substitutes as the best potting media:
- Sphagnum moss
- Peat moss
- Perlite
- Fir bark
– Temperature
- Dendrobium faciferum orchids grow under high temperatures in their natural habitat.
- The average temperatures all through the year at daytime should be 84 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit.
- At night time, the temperatures around your orchids should drop to 73 or 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Orchids need a temperature difference of 44 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit in order for their flower buds to bloom properly.
- In summer, if you live somewhere where the temperature difference between day and night isn’t that sharp, you should turn on the fan or crack open the windows to decrease the surrounding temperature.
– Humidity
- Dendrobium faciferum needs high humidity levels, around 80 or 85 percent during the growth season.
- Lower levels approximately 65 to 70 percent are required during the winter rest months.
Repotting, Growing From Seeds and Fertilizing
– Repotting
Repotting is best done during early spring. This is when newer and fresh roots and shoots start to grow. Choose a pot that is about 2 inches larger than the previous one. Do not use a very large pot. Generally, orchids like their roots to be cramped a bit.
When repotting, also change the potting medium. This is because most of the nutrients contained in the soil will have been used up at this point. Take great care not to damage the roots of the orchids during repotting, as this can lead to stunted growth, failure of flowering, or even death of the orchid.
– Culturing Seeds
Cultivating this orchid from seedlings takes time and patience. However, if you want to try a no-hassle method, then the following guide is for you.
- Obtain sterile seeds from a reliable nursery or orchid greenhouse.
- Buy a small-sized flask and fill it with an orchid nutrient medium.
- Plant the seeds in the medium.
- Take strict precautions against the contamination of this flask.
- Maintain the right temperature, humidity, light, and water conditions.
- Orchid seedlings are extremely sensitive and if at any time there is even the slightest change in the cultural conditions or the sterility of the flask, they will not grow at all.
- Once roots and shoots start growing, transfer the seedlings to a pot or mount them on a piece of cork or bark, and proceed with caring for them as explained in the previous sections.
FAQ
Does Dendrobium Faciferum like sun or shade?
Dendrobium Faciferum prefers bright, indirect sunlight rather than direct sun or shade.
Should I mist my Dendrobium Faciferum?
Misting your Dendrobium Faciferum occasionally can help maintain the desired humidity levels.
How do I cut old Dendrobium Faciferum canes?
To cut old Dendrobium Faciferum canes, use clean, sterilized pruning shears. Cut the cane close to the base, ensuring a smooth, clean cut. Dispose of the trimmed canes properly.
Conclusion
Before you get about cultivating this beautiful orchid, let us quickly go through the most pertinent point that you should always keep in mind.
- Dendrobium faciferum is an epiphyte orchid that can bloom all year round if cared for properly.
- It is a large-sized plant that grows to be 40 inches tall and is best grown in a pot.
- Choose a potting mixture that is loose and well-draining, such as sphagnum moss, peat, or perlite.
- Maintain high temperatures all year round. However, there should always be a temperature drop of 44 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit from day to night, so that flower buds are stimulated to bloom.
- During the growth period from spring till fall, water copiously and don’t let the soil dry. During the months of rest (from fall until the following spring), instead, gradually decrease the amount of water and allow the soil to become somewhat dry in between waterings.
- Put Dendrobium faciferum under filtered indirect bright light for most of the day. Only put them under direct light during early mornings.
- Whilst using artificial light, put them at a distance of only 10 inches from the plant.
- Maintain high humidity levels — around 85 percent — during the growing season.
In short, this water and heat-loving orchids are super easy to grow and take care of. In return, its exuberant foliage and flowers will surely liven up your living spaces.
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