I'd always been put off of having an interest in orchids by too many people ranting about how hard they are to grow, and how fragile they are, but after watching a few of your videos my fears have been alleviated and I invested in two inexpensive but pretty Aussie native orchids this afternoon. Thank you for the relaxed and open approach and wonderful orchid stories.
Great video as always. This Dendrobium has been registered as Den Gippsland so you can update your tag :) The influence of Den bigibbbum and Den tetragonum, at a relatively high percentage in the ancestry, means that it could be expected to bloom 2-3 times per year. Den bigibbum is flowering now in Aus (literally) prior to entering the dry season, and Den tetragonum flowers 2-3 times per annum pending habit, watering and temperature. Den speciosum influences flower count and growth habit, with the varietal 'Windermere' passing on a crummier shape, but unlike many speciosum clones, it allows the penetration of colour through its progeny (hence why it is used commonly in breeding). The bigibbum influence reduces the cold tolerance of its hybrids, so it's important to note that this same orchid grown in a more exposed position with lower humidity could potentially succumb to rot over winter if left wet and cold overnight. A curse of the 'Tropicool' hybrids to be aware of!
Also, many mycorrhizal fungi are very species-specific and aren't necessary in the growing of many orchids in cultivation. The fungus powder used is a non-native that 'supports' grass, roses, agricultural plants; not a native fungus. We also grow up orchids in flasks without any fungus whatsoever very successfully due to the nutrient-rich nature of the agar, however there are species which require specific fungi such as several native terrestrials, which we harvest fungi from growing plants to isolate, grow on and use to germinate some terrestrial orchid seed. I grow hundreds of both of the above in Melbourne with no use of additional fungi powders with no issues :)
anytime biggibum is crossed in with an Aussie Den, they can bloom whenever. The two most readily available biggibum hybrids are Berry 'Oda' and Jonathan's Glory. Berry typically blooms heavy in spring with a smaller bloom in autumn. Jonathan's Glory tends to bloom heavily in both spring and autumn, although I often get a random spike through the rest of the year.
I believe I have the same orchid (lost the tag) and it flowers every spring for me in Sydney weather. I am not able to enjoy the blooms as I have found new growths to be attracting dendrobium beetles and flower spikes attracting aphids!
We have the same here in the Western Cape SA. Nearly no rain and still quite warm weather and the plants does not know what season it is. Dens also show flower spikes, so early in the year/season.
Thanks very much Matthew. I enjoyed the focus on Australian native orchids very much as I recently added several hybrids to my collection. From an environmental perspective the flowers of Australian natives are great for attracting bees and other helpful insects to our Brisbane garden. Enjoying the flowering of several Den. bigibbum var superbum at the moment.
My kingianum finally started to grow something recently and it's the beginning of a new cane. It might be making new roots at the top of the pot, but it's all covered. I was worried it wasn't going to do anything for a while. I think I added some leca to the mix, but I heard they can pretty much grow in anything.