How to grow: the species orchid Dendrobium hancockii!

This week Plant Lovers a look at a stunning species orchid, Dendrobium hancockii! Mine surprised me by bursting into bloom in what seemed almost overnight....perhaps I just hadn't been noticing the buds forming! But the funny thing is I'd spent more time watching and fussing over the MUCH smaller plant I'd bought as a seedling a few years ago! I hadn't entered it into my orchid inventory so when I saw this division for sale I jumped....not realising I already owned it! Heigh ho...moral of the story; ALWAYS know what plants you have!! So we have two plants to look at in this video, one in bloom and one not, and take a look at the care I've figured out works for me in my climate.
I mention Mycorrhizal fungi in this video and this is the brand I use, but google away to find one that's available where ever you are and has some recommendations: biostim.com.au...

[@cynthiamgarner8096]

I always appreciate your explanation of the region, altitude and temperature, and I especially love your fascinating stories of the origins of the naming - the history of the people in the past. Lovely presentation.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@christinenorton2510]

It's gorgeous, daffodil like. Love yellow orchids.

[@helloplantlovers]

Isn't it!

[@billsb77]

I bought one of these last year at an orchid show. The blooms actually surprised me (I didn't notice the buds until they opened). It's a nice species, and I agree with your description of the fragrance.

[@helloplantlovers]

I didn't notice mine either!

[@patsfreund9164]

What a delight to be able to watch your video on Christmas morning. This is definitely a beautiful dendrobium. Thanks for sharing.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@loribadgero1035]

That orchid is loving its location and its care! It’s a beauty, Matthew. Nicely done.🤗👍❤️🪴👍

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@zula6436]

Beautiful yellow blooms! Thank you for sharing! Have a wonderful Christmas! 🎄🎁🌟

[@helloplantlovers]

And to you! Thanks for watching!

[@zula6436]

@@helloplantlovers Thank you ! 😊🌟🎄

[@KerynWhite-dj4jd]

My mother turned 90 in March and was gifted a white phalaenopsis in bloom, more than likely a forced blooming at that time of year. The bloom faded and I repotted it for her in September and it is now in active growth. I have taught her the tips and tricks and told her “she can start looking for a spike around July”. “JULY, I should live so long!” Each time I speak with her and she mentions her orchid she says “I hope I live long enough to see it bloom”. Your comment that seedlings are “promoting my desire for longevity” is so very true. As I told mum “I don’t think it matters how old you are, if you have orchids, that thought always crosses your mind, orchids certainly keep you looking forward”. 😀

[@helloplantlovers]

SO true! I hope she gets to see many more blooms!

[@sylviabeichert943]

Such a gorgeous orchid - will keep an eye out for it.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@dettedevere4222]

Love the colour. Will add to my list of what to buy. Thanks for all your videos this year, I have learnt so much. Merry Christmas

[@helloplantlovers]

And to you! Many thanks for watching!

[@jonathanhodgkin6546]

Hello from Tasmania,just wishing you a very happy Christmas and new year,thanks for all the wonderful information,I'll be keeping a look out for the hancockii,but getting things shipped to Tasmania is a journey,although you find some interesting things on the local Facebook market place,I came across a small dendrobium morei from lord Howe Island,it's a native there,it's flowered tiny white flowers no perfume,but really cute,have a great day.🎉

[@helloplantlovers]

How wonderful! What a great find! FB market place can be a surprisingly great resource! Have a great Christmas too!

[@miamianz]

Just got one today 🎉 your video is the only one on this species that’s well done 👍 thank you. Was wondering how to go about caring for it. I specially got it for its bamboo appearance.

[@helloplantlovers]

Good luck with yours! The flowers are incredible!

[@beeeingmeee]

I’ve always thought that this would grow too large for my space, but seeing yours is making me reconsider!

[@helloplantlovers]

Yes....I think it's manageable but can certainly get some size if allowed to!

[@incifisenk9945]

She looks magical😍🤩 The canes and flowers are dazzling 😍💚❤️

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@lienlienchan]

what a beautiful bloom. My favorite color, and I have this plant but it's not blooming yet. It's very easy to grow.

[@helloplantlovers]

It is! Thanks for watching!

[@marygorchidsmore2058]

Hi Matthew, your d.hanckokii blooms are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing. I liked the history of it too! Those yellow blooms look very much like daffodils too! Thanks for the cre tips as well! I need to look for one too! Have a great Christmas and happy new year 😊

[@helloplantlovers]

And to you! Thanks for watching!

[@zs1dfr]

"A host of golden hancockii" does still roll off the tongue, doesn't it!

[@helloplantlovers]

It does!

[@newmanmansell760]

I enjoyed watching🤗💞I have a Hancockii that I bought last year, it surprised me how much heat it can endure in summer. It's now winter and it's in a mini greenhouse enduring the cold. We will have temperatures down to -5℃ early morning, followed by bright sunny days.

[@helloplantlovers]

Yes it seems quite a toughie! Good luck with yours!

[@carolesykes7955]

Hi Matthew, I enjoyed this one thanks. Have you seen Ninja Orchid's video about Micorrhizol fungi recently? It suggests renewing applications of fungi monthly if growing in bark because it doesn't have a chance to get going. I must admit I've been using it a long time and when I repot there's no sign of anything growing from when I previously added it in the last repot. I know it's tiny but if the mycelium has been growing you should see signs of it surely? When it's used in soil it's in completely different conditions. Have a look at the video and see what you think 🤔

[@helloplantlovers]

I'm no botanist so I couldn't say! I re apply every time I re-pot or if it's an orchid that needs to completely dry out over winter, I reapply in spring. You generally won't see the fungi unless it 'blooms'. There are probably millions of different species of Mycorrhizal fungi that have evolved to thrive in incredibly varied conditions from deserts to epiphytic nooks and develop symbiotic relationships with particular plant species there. I'm actually trying to line up a botanist who specialises in it to make a video with!

[@bibicheknauf4163]

Lovely😍

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheOrchidSaGa]

Beautiful plants and great info, I have a fairly big one myself. Nice description of the fragrance 😅 and beautiful blooms❤

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching! Hope all's well with your collection! M

[@williamjohnson3938]

When I first smelled mine I smelled a more musky honey scent. Like a honey cologne almost

[@helloplantlovers]

It's a great scent - thanks for watching!

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

This is the Dendrobium version of Epidendrum schwenfurthianum, same leaves, same type of canes. What you will find as this plant ages, as with Epi schweinfurthianum, is that the canes will develop branches. These branches eventually become keikis, but they take two to three years for them start pushing out roots of their own.

[@helloplantlovers]

Interesting! I'm looking forward to it becoming a bit more of a beast!

[@marshalllai6479]

Beautiful flowers. Since Dendrobiums like to be root bound, are you still planning on moving it to a clay pot?

[@helloplantlovers]

I will - all my Dendrobiums are in terracotta pots. Thankjs for watching!

[@wazza_fishing]

Hi mate what do you use to keep your orchid in inventory ? Cheers

[@helloplantlovers]

A very poorly formatted Excel spread sheet that I can also have on my phone so that if I'm somewhere and I need to check if I already have a plant I spot I can....clearly that doesn't always work for me though!!!