Also known as Dendrobium Orchid · 3 saves
Dendrobium
Dendrobium, the genus most gardeners know as dendrobium orchid. We track 3 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 3 most-saved Dendrobium varieties
3 species of Dendrobium
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Dendrobium in Sow
Save the Dendrobium you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Dendrobium
Whats common across all Dendrobium varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them.
The Dendrobium year
- PruneJune100% of varieties
Remove old, shriveled, leafless canes (pseudobulbs) after flowering
- FertilizeApril–August100% of varieties
Use balanced orchid fertilizer weekly during active growth (Mar-Aug)
- Winter PrepOctober and November100% of varieties
Cease fertilizer and reduce watering to initiate cool, dry winter rest
- Check for PestsJune–August67% of varieties
Inspect leaf axils and new shoots for mealybugs and scale insects.
Do
- Ensure bright, indirect light 🌞
- Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging 💧
- Fertilize regularly during active growth
- Provide good air circulation
- Repot every 2-3 years
Avoid
- Avoid direct, harsh sunlight ☀️
- Do not overwater, leading to root rot ❌
- Never let the plant sit in water
- Avoid cold drafts
What goes wrong with Dendrobium
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mealybugs | White, cottony masses on leaves and stems | Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Scale insects | Brown or black shell-like bumps on plant surfaces | Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on leaf undersides accompanied by silvery, speckled stippling on the foliage. | Increase local humidity and spray the foliage thoroughly with insecticidal oil or miticide. |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on the undersides of leaves and stippled, yellowing foliage. | Increase local humidity, isolate the plant, and treat with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. |
| Root rot | Dark, mushy roots and wilting | Reduce watering, improve drainage, and remove affected roots |
| Fungal leaf spots | Dark spots on leaves | Use a fungicide and maintain good air circulation |
| Root Rot | Soft, brown, mushy roots and yellowing, shriveling pseudobulbs caused by Pythium or Phytophthora fungi. | Repot immediately into fresh, coarse bark media, trimming away all decayed roots with sterilized shears. |
Making more Dendrobium
Division
- Gently remove the plant from its pot and divide the pseudobulbs with a sharp knife, ensuring each division has roots.
- Plant divisions into fresh orchid potting mix.
- Water lightly and keep in a warm, humid environment for 6 weeks.
Keiki propagation
- Identify keikis (small plantlets) on the stem or pseudobulb.
- Allow keikis to develop roots of at least 2 inches.
- Carefully cut and pot keikis in orchid mix, then water and maintain humidity.
Dendrobium questions
How many types of Dendrobium are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Dendrobium varieties. The most popular — ranked by 3 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Dendrobium grow in?
Across its varieties, Dendrobium covers USDA Zones 9–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Dendrobium bloom?
Most Dendrobium varieties bloom in fall, mid-spring, spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Dendrobium should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.