Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum is a gorgeous orchid that produces tapering clusters of flowers which is why it is also called the Pine Cone orchid. It is a must-have for all the orchid lovers out there.
Our gardening experts have prepared this holistic guide to help you know all about this beautiful orchid.
What Is Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum?
Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum is native to the Himalayan mountains of India, Nepal, Bhutan, and some mountains of Indochina. It belongs to the Dendrobium genus and Orchidaceae family.
It is commonly also known as the Pinecone-like Raceme Dendrobium and the Golden Dendrobium.
– Size and Growth
Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum is a medium to large-sized orchid that can reach a height of up to 30 inches. It has round and hard green stems that have elongated flower spikes. The spikes develop grape-like clusters of flowers. It is a fast-growing orchid and produces showy flowers in clusters from spring to summer.
These plants grow well from spring to summer and their growth slows down significantly in winter. Since Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum cannot tolerate frost for too long, you need to protect it in winter and keep it in a covered spot.
– Foliage
Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum has three to five leaves per stem. The leaves are thin, pointed, and glossy. They are 3 to 5 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide. When the plant is kept in a very bright light, the leaves turn light green and when the plant receives less light, the leaves are dark green.
– Flowers
Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum flowers vary from white to deep orange in color. The flowers are not very long-lasting, with most of them blooming for a period of one to two weeks. But, during the active growing season, in spring, the inflorescences continue to come out continuously. Also, these canes can bloom for many years. A mature plant produces flowers multiple times a year.
The clusters are 8 to 12 inches long, bearing single flowers with white petals and yellow throat. Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum flowers are 1 inch in diameter and bloom from spring to summer. Fresh blooms have a light yellow shade and, as they mature over the week, they turn into a deeper shade of orange. The intensely packed white flowers with yellow and orange centers look gorgeous when in bloom.
– Roots
Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum has thick roots. If you have bought a new plant, cut off the old roots about half an inch from the rhizome.
Doing so will help in initiating new growth.
Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum Care
Growing Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum is quite easy if you follow the right steps. Read from our comprehensive guide to know all about its growth requirements related to light, water, soil mix, temperature, humidity, and fertilizer.
– Light Requirements
Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum needs bright, filtered sunlight to grow well. A south-facing window is a great spot if you are planning to keep your plant indoors. Harsh, direct sunlight can cause its leaves to burn. Curtain filtered sunlight works the best for its growth. Avoid placing your plant in dark spots, as too little light will hamper the plant’s flowering.
– Water Requirements
Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum needs water once to twice a week in summers if it is planted in a bark chips medium. Allow the soil medium to go fairly dry in between waterings. Reduce the watering frequency from about once a week to once every two weeks in the winter months, as the plant needs a dry rest period.
If your orchid is mounted, water it more frequently. It might need to be watered daily or several times a day if the weather is very dry and hot.
– Soil Mix
Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum grows the best in pots and containers in a mix of bark chips and perlite. Some people also use sphagnum moss to grow the plant. We would recommend using sphagnum moss if the air in your area is too dry and hot.
But, in a tropical area with high humidity, use bark chips mixed with perlite to keep the substrate loose and airy. Use coarse, thick bark chips to maintain sufficient air movement around the roots. Using moss, in this case, can be a bit risky because, if you overwater your plant, the roots will rot.
If you are planning to mount your orchid, use wires and strings to keep the stems firm and in place. If the wind blows continuously and the weather is hot and dry, add coconut husk or moss around the base of the plant for extra moisture. Do not cover the entire root, as this can cause root rot.
– Temperature
Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum is a moderate to cool-growing orchid. It grows well in temperatures ranging from 53 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. But it can withstand temperatures as low as 45 degrees Fahrenheit too.
On the contrary, it cannot tolerate very high temperatures. On dry and hot summer days, protect your plant from excessive heat and dry air. Mist or spritz the plant daily to keep the humidity levels high. It likes to have a short dry rest period in the winter months from November to mid-January. Shift your plant indoors to a warmer spot to protect the leaves from frost.
– Humidity
Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum prefers humidity levels above 70 percent throughout the year. Maintaining high humidity can be a challenge in hot and dry weather. Keep the humidity level high by keeping peddle trays or a humidifier around the plant. You can prepare a humidity tray by filling a shallow tray with some pebbles and water. After that, just keep your plant above the tray.
Mounted plants need higher humidity levels than potted plants. You can mist or sprinkle the plant with water twice a day in the summer if it is mounted. This will keep its roots moist and will protect the plant from heat.
– Fertilizer
Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum is not a heavy feeder. Fertilize it twice a month using a well-balanced liquid orchid fertilizer during the active growing period, from spring to summer. Apply one-fourth to one-half of the recommended dose mentioned on the label.
Do not feed your plant during the winter months of rest. Once new growth at the base of the plant begins to appear, you can resume the usual fertilization. To avoid salt buildup, give your plant a good dip in water regularly. Salt accumulation can cause the roots to die.
Repotting
Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum does not need frequent repotting. You can repot it once every two years or so, when new growth and roots start to appear at the beginning of spring. Repotting is important, because the soil mix decomposes and, if the plant remains in decomposed soil medium for too long, the roots will suffocate and die. Do not disturb your plant in winter, as the plant is in a rest period during this time.
To repot, first remove the old soil medium and wash the plant roots properly with fresh water. Cut off the old, blackened roots. Prepare a fresh soil mix composed of medium-thick barks chips.
Add perlite or charcoal for drainage. Use a 10 to 12 inches long pot for growing these orchids, as their root system goes deep into the soil. Gently place the plant in the new soil medium, water it thoroughly, and keep it in shade for a few days before shifting it to a brighter spot.
Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum is prone to mites, slugs, and pest infestations. To keep it healthy, spray your plant with Neem oil regularly. Spraying insecticide will help keep the insects at bay. For culture and propagation, Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum seeds are used but it is difficult to propagate them at home.
FAQ
How do I know if my Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum needs repotting?
Signs indicating repotting for Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum: cramped roots, slow growth, frequent watering, or poor drainage.
Should I water my Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum after the flowers fall off?
Water Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum after flowers drop if the potting medium is dry, but avoid overwatering.
Does Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum like Sphagnum moss?
Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum thrives in well-draining media like Sphagnum moss, which retains moisture without causing waterlogged roots.
Conclusion
Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum should be on your must-have orchids list if you are looking for a hardy and resilient plant. Its flowers are not too long-lasting. But it is worth the wait when they are finally in bloom.
Let us sum up all the important points about its growth requirements you need to keep in mind.
- Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum is an orchid native to the Himalayas and some countries of Southeast Asia.
- It needs bright, dappled sunlight to grow well. Avoid placing it in harsh, direct sunlight and dark spots.
- Water this orchid abundantly during the active growing period, from spring to late summer, and sparingly during the winter months.
- Keep it moist in summer but allow the soil mix to dry out a bit for some time in between waterings in winter.
- Prepare an airy and well-draining soil mix of barks chips and perlite if you are planning to plant your orchid in a pot or container.
- The Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum prefers temperatures between 53 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit to grow well.
- It prefers humidity levels above 70 percent to thrive. Use humidifiers and humidity trays to keep the humidity levels high.
- Fertilize your plant twice a month with well-balanced liquid orchid fertilizer.
- Resume regular fertilizing once new growth emerges from the base of the plant in spring.
Dendrobium Thyrsiflorum is an immensely attractive and fragrant plant and now that you know all about its beauty, we hope you will get your hands on one of these Himalayan beauties.
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