Some orchids bloom at different times of the year. Usually when the Pseudobulb matures.
And others, like Dendrobiums Nobile for example, have one specific time that the flowers will show and that's it. Every year it is a bit of a waiting game for the buds to finally show on the canes. Sometimes there is more, sometimes less and sometimes none. In case there is none we have another year of waiting, because they will not change their mind during the year.
This is, because Nobile have their own rhythm throughout the year and yes - nurseries can change that and "fake" the seasons to induce blooming when they want them to bloom. But as soon you get one home, it will take its time to adjust to the natural rhythm and seasons.
They will grow new canes and leaves in the warmer months, in the fall they will stop growing and the canes from previous year will drop the leaves. In winter they require lower temperatures and less water - that's when they go dormant and stop growing completely. Around January the buds starts to show and this is also the sign to start watering them a bit more.
And now is the time when they finally bloom and slowly start to grow new canes that will bloom in a year. Pretty simple and straightforward :)
And so my two Nobile are blooming right now. Both have a very pleasant, floral fragrance that on a sunny, warm day can fill up the room.
First one is Dendrobium nobile spring dream - The oldest dendrobium and probably the oldest orchid I have. It has been split multiple times, multiple keikis were taken of it an given away. And she is still with me.
I have two pots actually. The one here is the smaller one and two years ago it was just a keiki (offshoot) too. The bigger one doesn't have many flowers this year.
There are some young canes growing already. She is in a hurry :)
Each older cane can grow one or two of the new ones from the base. That's how they slowly spread.
Next we have Dendrobium nobile comet king akatsuki. Bigger flowers in a super intensive colour. They are just amazing! There is usually less of them, but they do catch up with the size.
More buds to go :)
And lastly, this is not a Nobile type, but it grows the same way and requires the same care. Plus it is in bloom now so I will show it too: Dendrobium stardust chiyomi.
I like yellow orchids, I cant help it :)
It also has much slimmer canes, and flowers have different, more starry shape. No fragrance on this one.
The plant is a total mess: bunch of old canes, old roots, some cakes are twisted in weird directions. Ideally I would have to repot it.. like last year, remove all the old stems that the plant doesn't need anymore together with the dead roots. But I am so not looking forward to it... I am thinking of just cutting the few old canes that I would remove anyway.
But I know the cleaning task will not go away and I will have to do it eventually. Preferably after it is done blooming and starts growing new canes, so that the fresh roots that will start to grow from them will have new place to grow an will not be disturbed (read: ripped with my super gentle repotting).
I have time to prepare myself mentally :P
These opened more recently. You can still see some buds around. They start from the paler yellow colour and as they mature they darken up to this lovely, intense colour.
A little group shot so you can see the difference.
The quality Controller always (almost) on duty.
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Shot with Nikon D5500 + Sigma 105mm lens
All photos and text are my own.
