Dendrobium Jenkinsii: The Orchid With Vibrant Yellow Orange Blooms

Dendrobium Jenkinsii of the Orchidaceae family, a tiny orchid, needs only a little time and love from its plant parents to produce a heavenly bloom and foliage.

We asked our professional florists who have been caring for this Dendrobium genus orchid for ages to give us all their tips so that you can grow them without any trial and error.

What Is Dendrobium Jenkinsii?

Dendrobium Jenkinsii is a small-sized orchid that grows as an epiphyte on thick branches of deciduous trees. It is native to Northwestern India, Bhutan, Thailand, and surrounding regions, growing at elevations of five hundred meters above sea level. The total height this orchid reaches is two to five inches tall. 

You can find out what it looks like by reading the next sections.

– Pseudobulbs

• Pseudobulbs are a thickened nutrient storage and support organs that grow from roots upwards.
• The pseudobulbs of Jenkinsii orchids are only 1 or 2 inches tall.
• They are branching, oblong-shaped and flat in appearance.

– Flowers

• The bloom of Dendrobium Jenkinsii occurs in early June. 
• The flowers of Dendrobium Jenkinsii are quite large in comparison with the rest of the orchid and measure one inch across in diameter.
• These flowers grow in up to five flowered clusters on a 6 inches long arching inflorescence.
• Dendrobium Jenkinsii petals are arranged in two whorls. The petals of the inner whorl are broad and quite wide, whereas those of the outer whorl are pretty narrow. The lip is speckled and heart-shaped.
• These flowers are brilliant orange in color and will surely brighten up any living space where you put them.

– Leaves

• The leaves of Jenkinsii orchids are one to two inches long.
• They are leathery and rigid to the touch and have a notched appearance.

Dendrobium Jenkinsii Care

The care requirements of this orchid are very similar to other members of this genus. If you’ve grown other Dendrobiums before, you will find Jenkinsii super easy to care for as well.

Water

• Dendrobium Jenkinsii needs abundant watering during its growth period, which lasts from spring till the end of summer or the beginning of fall. There is no such thing as over-watering this orchid during this time. Keep the substrate wet at all times and do not let it become dry. Plenty of water is good for its growth.

• During the winter rest period, from fall till the next spring, gradually reduce water and allow the soil to become dry each time before the next watering.
• Each time you water this plant, use clean or filtered water. Salt-softened or alkaline water is not healthy for your orchids. Let the water run through the entire plant for a minute or so and then allow the excess water to drain completely from the drainage holes in potted and basket borne plants.

Light

The light requirements of Dendrobium Jenkinsii are pretty much the same as most other Dendrobiums. Read below to find out what they are.

• Dendrobium Jenkinsii has a high light threshold and can tolerate about 25 to 30,000 lux intensity of light.
• These orchids love to be put under bright light. During winters, they can even be able to tolerate direct sunlight because the sun is mostly weak at that time of the year.
• However, in summer you will need to transport your Jenkinsii indoors and provide only indirect bright light. Summer sunlight for a long period can cause nasty sunburns.
• Indirect light by placing Jenkinsii orchids near windows with sheer curtains is our favorite method these days.
• A south-facing window provides the most adequate light in fall, winter and spring whereas in summer an east-facing window is the safest option.
• You can substitute natural light with artificial light of the same intensity. Provide it for the same amount of time as the duration of a natural day.
• Beware: If you notice that the leaves of your Jenkinsii orchids are turning yellow or brownish, then this is a sign that your orchids are being exposed to light of much higher intensity than they can tolerate. It’s time to move them to a slightly dimmer location.

– Growing in Bare-Rooted Form

We strongly recommend that you try growing Dendrobium Jenkinsii in the bare-rooted form at home. This method of growth mimics the way this orchid actually grows in nature, where it thrives on ferns and trees as an epiphyte.

In the bare-rooted form, you will need to mount your orchids on pieces of wood, fern, or cork. Because there is no potting medium or substrate to retain moisture for long periods, these mounted orchids should be watered daily and adequate humidity maintained around them with special rigor.

Growing in Soil

Potting orchids is a much-preferred method of keeping them at home. Always choose a pot that is breathable and not too large. This is because Dendrobium Jenkinsii roots like to be cramped, provided that sufficient breathing space is available around them. The pot should have a drainage hole at the bottom.

The choice of the potting medium is also very important. For Jenkinsii, we recommend you use any loose, quick-drying potting medium. Do not water unless at least the top half of the potting medium has dried completely. Use a pencil to gauge the dryness of the medium.

Repotting is done when the orchid overgrows its current pot. This is indicated by new roots emerging from the corners of the pot. It is best to schedule repotting at the beginning of spring, when new roots usually grow.

The new pot should not be larger than the previous one by more than 2 inches. Take this time to change the soil/ potting medium along with the pot too.

– Seeds

If you want to try something daring and want to grow this orchid from scratch using seeds, follow our step-by-step guide below.

• First of all, buy premium quality sterile Dendrobium Jenkinsii seeds from a trusted orchid vendor.
• Take a small-sized flask and fill it with a nutrient medium. Both the flask and the nutrient medium should be sterile as well.
• Surround the flask with maximum humidity. Also, maintain the right temperatures that are needed for the growing orchid.
• Water frequently and abundantly.
• Wait until new shoots emerge and grow to a significant size and then mount or pot them.
• Keep in mind that growing orchids from seeds is notoriously difficult. Patience is your best friend here!

Temperature

Maintaining the perfect temperatures is an essential component of growing Dendrobium Jenkinsii.

• The most suitable daytime summer temperature for this orchid is around 84 degrees Fahrenheit.
• The temperature for summer nights should be 71 degrees Fahrenheit. This drop in temperature from day to night is an important factor for the flowering of Dendrobium Jenkinsii.
• Many florists suggest you turn on the fan or crack open a window slightly to simulate this drop in temperature from day to night time.
• During fall and winter, the average day temperature is 71 degrees Fahrenheit and at night it should drop to 44 or 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Humidity 

The humidity surrounding this orchid should be changed from one season to the next in order to mimic the climate conditions of their native regions.

• In summer, Dendrobium Jenkinsii needs very high humidity levels of about 85 percent.
• In fall and at the start of winters, the humidity requirement of this orchid drops to about 75 or 80 percent.
• At the start of spring when the flowering period starts, the humidity needs of this plant decrease even further and drop to only 55 to 60 percent.

– How To Keep the Right Humidity Level

So, how can you maintain these fluctuating humidity levels all year round?

• Buy a hygrometer. This instrument records the surrounding humidity levels and is a must-have for all serious orchid growers out there.
• Take a tray and fill it with water and pebbles. Then put this tray under your potted or mounted orchids. This method has been known to increase the humidity around orchids.
• Regularly mist your orchids, especially the mounted varieties. Misting should be done in the evenings.
• If you can spare the expenses, buy a humidifier. This way you will have complete control over the humidity levels around your orchids.

FAQ

Does Dendrobium Jenkinsii need soil for propagation?

Dendrobium Jenkinsii can be propagated without soil, using specialized techniques such as division or stem cuttings.

Why won’t my Dendrobium Jenkinsii grow?

Insufficient light, improper watering, or inadequate temperature conditions may hinder the growth of Dendrobium Jenkinsii.

Is Dendrobium Jenkinsii fragrant?

Yes, Dendrobium Jenkinsii is known for its fragrant blooms, adding a delightful aroma to your space.

Conclusion

In this well-researched article, you learned how to identify, care for and grow the beautiful Dendrobium Jenkinsii orchids in a simple, straightforward manner. Read below as we revise the most important points that should be kept in mind.

• Dendrobium Jenkinsii orchids are very small in size. Their flowers bloom in early spring.
• This orchid needs abundant watering during its growth period, which lasts from spring till late summer.
• In fall and winter, reduce water and allow the substrate to dry before the next watering.
• This plant needs abundant bright light in an indirect manner. Put them indoors in a brightly lit room or near a window. In winters, it can also be put under direct sunlight.
• You can either grow them bare-rooted by mounting them on cork or grow them by planting them in pots.
• Repot when new roots emerge around the corners of the old plant, preferably in early spring.
• This orchid is very particular about its changing humidity needs from one season to the next. Buy a hygrometer to ensure adequate humidity at all times.

There is no doubt that Dendrobium Jenkinsii will be a worthy and welcome addition to your home nursery. Using our tips and tricks given above, we are sure you’ll be the best orchid parent to this lovely species.