Dendrobium Trantuanii: A Simple Approach To Caring For This Orchid

Dendrobium Trantuanii of the Orchidaceae family is an orchid that was only discovered recently, more specifically in 2003.

Since then, it has taken the orchid world by storm because of this Dendrobium genus orchid’s fragrant flowers and silvery foliage.

We bring you a point guide on growing Dendrobium Trantuanii all by yourself.

What Is Dendrobium Trantuanii?

Dendrobium Trantuanii is a small to miniature-sized orchid species native to the lowlands of Vietnam.Like most orchids, this species too contains thickened pseudobulbs that are light silver or greenish in color. Pseudobulbs are thickened storage units and support organs that grow up from the root system.

– Plant Size, Flowers, Color and Foliage

Furthermore, here are some important points about its size, flowers, color and foliage:

• This flowered plant has six inches long stems that radiate upwards in a fan-like manner.
• The inflorescence that arises from these stems contains up to three flowers each.
• The flowers of this orchid are small, being only 1.5 inches in diameter.
• Dendrobium Trantuanii petals are metallic pink in color with a white center. The lip in the center is mahogany and dark burgundy in color. These flowers are scented.
• The blooming period for these flowers is in the spring and summer.
• Dendrobium Trantuanii foliage is also quite gorgeous. The leaves are silvery or grey-green in color and will freshen up your entire house.

Dendrobium Trantuanii Care

In this section, we will explain in detail the requirements of this gorgeous orchid, so that you know what to provide for it to be healthy in your home.

Light

Making sure that the particular light requirements of your orchids are being fulfilled is very important. Your orchids will refuse to bloom in time if they do not receive enough light during their growth period. 

• Dendrobium Trantuanii falls in the category of medium-light orchids. Such orchids need around 2,000 0r 3,000 foot candles of light.
• Their ideal condition is to be put under filtered or shaded bright light for most of the day, except early mornings and late evenings. In the mornings and evenings, it is beneficial to put them under direct sunlight instead.
• We understand that it can be a little inconvenient to move the orchids back and forth from outdoor to indoor every day. Instead, why don’t you put these little things near an eastern or western-facing window?
• In the northern hemisphere, the east-facing windows receive adequate morning light, whereas the west-facing windows receive a good amount of direct evening light. Either window would be a great spot for your Trantuanii orchids.
• Do not put them under direct sunlight or near a southern-facing window for too long. This would lead to more light exposure than these orchids can tolerate.
• If you want to substitute natural sunlight for artificial light, buy special plant lights and place them at a distance of only 10 inches from the orchids.
• Dendrobium Trantuanii needs light exposure for at least 14 hours every day.

Water

Because this is a relatively newly discovered orchid, there is not much information available about its cultural requirements out there.

Its water requirements are pretty straightforward, though.

• You should water Dendrobium Trantuanii abundantly each time.
• Let the water flow through the entire plant and out through the drainage hole, the cork or the pieces of bark where you have mounted your Trantuanii.
• Let the plant and the potting medium dry somewhat before the next time you water it.
• In potted plants, you can simply see whether the potting medium has dried or not by sticking your finger or a pencil down it. If it comes out dry, then it’s definitely time to water your orchid.
•  Over time, you will learn how much time you should take before another watering.
• Orchids should preferably be watered using filtered or reverse osmosis water. However, common tap water is fine too. Just make sure it’s safe enough.
• In very hot conditions, you will obviously need to increase the frequency of giving water to your orchids.

Soil

Like all other Dendrobiums, Trantuanii orchids too like to be potted in a medium that is soft and drains quickly. You can use any reputed orchid medium as soil such as peat or sphagnum moss. You can also use orchid bark as the top layer of the soil.

Always plant orchids in pots that are a bit small and fit the plant just enough. The reason for this is that Dendrobium Trantuanii roots like to be cramped. Providing them too much space in the potting medium and pot itself will not lead to more growth. In fact, growth will be hampered instead.

Temperature

• Dendrobium Trantuanii orchid is a cool to warm growing species.
• The temperature around your orchids should be from 40 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
• One great thing about this orchid is that it can tolerate somewhat extremes of temperature. It does, however, prefer staying in colder temperatures.

Humidity

Like most Dendrobiums, Trantuanii orchids also love high humidity levels all year round. In fact, humidity levels should be as high as 70 percent at all times. Here are a few of our recommended methods of maintaining high humidity levels at home.

• Mist your orchids every day during the evenings.
• Using a pebble tray to increase humidity around your orchids is a time-tested method being used by our experienced orchids for a long time. Use a tray filled with water and pebbles and place it under the orchid pot. The water should not touch the pot, though.
• Keeping similar plants together also increases the surroundings’ humidity.
• Very serious orchid growers should also buy a hygrometer to monitor the accurate humidity levels around their plants.

A Guide on How To Grow This Plant at Home

Now that you know the cultural requirements of this orchid, it is time to get to business. You can either buy an already grown orchid that has been potted or mounted or grow them from seeds. Learn more about both options below.

– Culturing From Seeds

Only the most daring orchid growers have been known to choose this method of growing Dendrobiums. Spurring a new plant from Dendrobium Trantuanii seeds requires a lot of time and effort. Follow our simple guide below to make sure your orchids grow successfully from seeds.

1. Orchid seeds need to be completely sterile in order to cultivate them.
2. You should always buy sterile orchid seeds from a reputed orchid nursery.
3. Take a sterile flask and fill it with an orchid nutritional medium.
4. Keep this flask somewhere where you can maintain high humidity and temperature levels.
5. Water regularly and wait until new shoots and roots emerge.
6. Your orchid is now ready to be transferred to a proper pot.

– Repotting

• You should repot Dendrobium Trantuanii every two years, when the orchid starts to outgrow its current pot.

• The best time to repot is when new roots start to grow. For Trantuanii orchids, this occurs around springtime each year.
• Remember, orchids like their roots to be cramped. So don’t choose a very large pot. The new pot should be larger than the previous one by only 2 inches. Don’t worry, it will last another two years.
• Use sterile equipment to move the whole plant very carefully and transport it to the new pot with the new potting medium.
• A newly repotted orchid should never be fertilized right away. Allow the roots to adjust to their new environment first.

– How To Fertilize Your Orchids

• Dendrobiums should be fertilized every week or once every two weeks if you’re a busy person.
• Any good orchid fertilizer will do.
• In our experience, you should always dilute your fertilizer and use only one-half of its original strength. This is to protect orchid roots from the toxicity sometimes associated with undiluted fertilizers.
• Once a month, flush the potting medium with water equal to the volume of the pot. This practice washes away built-up salts due to fertilizer use.

– How To Protect Orchids From Pests and Infections

• The easiest thing to do in this regard is to keep a vigilant eye on your orchids for any sign of blight or pest infestation. Every time you water your orchids, take two minutes out to carry out this check-up.
• Overwatering is one of the most common causes of fungal and bacterial infections in orchids.
• Even though Trantuanii orchids love frequent watering, do not let the soil become soggy.
• Clean your orchids at regular intervals and remove all dead leaves, flowers and sheaths. This removes all the hiding and breeding places of potential pests.
• Under unfortunate circumstances, if your orchids do get infected or infested, you can treat them using fungicides or pesticides.

FAQ

Can Dendrobium Trantuanii be submerged in water?

No, Dendrobium Trantuanii should not be submerged in water. It prefers a well-draining medium like orchid bark for healthy growth.

How do I take care of Dendrobium Trantuanii in the winter?

In winter, provide Dendrobium Trantuanii with cooler temperatures, reduce watering frequency, and ensure adequate humidity levels to mimic its natural conditions.

When should I repot Dendrobium Trantuanii?

Repot Dendrobium Trantuanii when it outgrows its current container or when you notice overcrowded roots, usually every 1-2 years for optimal growth.

Conclusion

Dendrobium Trantuanii is a relatively newly discovered orchid and there is much we are still learning about it. In this blog, we have covered all the basics of cultivating them at home and getting them to bloom. Here are the most important points.

• Dendrobium Trantuanii orchids have only been recently discovered. They produce scented flowers that bloom in spring.
• Provide them with medium light. Put them indoors in a bright room with indirect light.
• During the growth period from spring till fall, this orchid should be watered abundantly. Don’t let the soil become dry but also prevent it from getting soggy.
• The pot should not be too large and always have a proper draining outlet.
• Use a potting medium that is loose and quick drying.
• Dendrobium Trantuanii needs humidity levels up to 70 percent.
• This is a species native of temperate climates and grows best at temperatures between 40 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Fertilize every week only at half the recommended strength.

There is only one thing left for you to do at this point: Get yourself some fresh bulbs of Dendrobium Trantuanii and get to work! In just a few months, your house will brighten up with its flowers and foliage.