Re-potting a (hopefully) Dendrobium Speciosum: a spectacular native Australian orchid

[@kiyuemadkick]

That loose cane can keiki. Its taking nutrients from its leaves to apply to a node and grow a keiki. My rule is I never throw away a cane until its withered yellow/ brown. You can cut the yellow/brown bottoms if the cane is still green on top and clean& glue the tip and it will keiki.

[@helloplantlovers]

Interesting! Thank you!

[@RareRootsOfJoyMelbourne]

I have two very large Dendrobium speciousa hybrid specimens and aren’t they just fabulous? Mine are both in bloom at the moment, although I can’t take credit. I’ll give that to Murray from Murray Harding Orchids. Apparently he has a couple in the trees of his driveway. But the blooms are just stunning. One thing I’ve noticed, is they seem to love the CalMag. I’ve given them 200ppm in liquid form twice since arriving in my care 6 weeks ago and it’s certainly helped them acclimate to my environment. You have a beautiful plant there. Hope she is doing well.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching! An ‘in flower’ video coming up soon!

[@lylythea3752]

Hello from brisbane. Yes I bought 1 from market place too for $70, even more expensive🥲 and the roots not so healthy. Now just having 1 new shoot🥰 very happy already 😆😆

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching - that's great news! No new shoots on mine yet - but LOTS of new roots - we'll see!

[@tuyentrancalifornia9250]

Beautiful dendrobium, thank you your sharing👍💐 Happy weekend 💐

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@libbyhocking5516]

Great information thanks Mathew!

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@costadenae4692]

Wow what a find!! great looking plant I am sure it will do well in your care. lookinf forward to seeing it in bloom. Enjoy and thanks for sharing,

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@maureensmith4993]

Blimey ! I have been giving my devisions away!! I have so many now, in big baskets, big pots, in the ground and tied onto trees!! I love the perfume. Love your videos too. 👍

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@MannaCat]

I’m a Melbournian starting a native orchid collection, thanks for posting! I have just bought a baby speciosum 😍

[@helloplantlovers]

OOooh good luck!!!!!! So many great native options!

[@Helliconia54]

Great informative video. I'm having very good success with both cymbidiums and dendrobiums in shop bought orchid mix. I'm also growing Pterostylis curta and nana (terrestrials)All mine just sit outside and get what rain ,falls .In summer i'll give them a little more.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching - I have my eye on native terrestrials so good to hear they're relatively easy. AN an update on this Speciosum - it has flower spikes so I'll make a video about it when they open.

[@JuliesOrchids]

That is a wonderful reference book. Such beautiful pictures. A very luck op-shop find there.

[@helloplantlovers]

It really is! Thanks for watching.

[@carolzlata6913]

From Trinidad, beautiful orchids you have.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watchig!

[@christinenorton2510]

What a great plant. Enjoyable video.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@jenbochan]

I got this same species on market place as well. My first orchid! Thank you for a great video!

[@helloplantlovers]

Oh good luck with yours!

[@roslyndrury523]

Love your videos. My Sydney Rock Orchid I keep dividing and planting out in the garden. I keep 1 pot bound incase some die in the garden. Tough as nails. And beautiful. I plant out my Cymbidiums too.😜

[@helloplantlovers]

Excellent - where abouts are you?

[@rasangichandrasiri4271]

Hello... from Sri Lanka. I've been loving watching your videos. I also orchid lover here. Fantastic explanation ☺️

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for finding me and watching!

[@auzziewoz3620]

I've had one in western Sydney for a couple of years. I've just noticed it's about to flower for the first time. It's July. Mine is in full shade

[@helloplantlovers]

It might do better with a bit more light - but enjoy the blooms!

[@auzziewoz3620]

It's in full shade but a lot of indirect light from reflections of a white building. I was about to look for a new position when I noticed the flower stork forming, so will just leave it for now

[@eddylavigne875]

Hi Mathew it me again I’m going to watch all yr video now as you are growing yours outside that what I do too and I still got a lot to learn . Can you please advice me what the best roofing to use like , it is better to use clear laser light as I have shade cloth that I roll back when it very hot but I want to get a clear roof as we are having a lot of rain this winter and I’m a bit worried it will rot all my orchids as this is a new place and no trees and not much sun either . I suppose I probably can get a watering sympton to water the back one as hard to reach also . Sorry for all the questions but I just want to get more better orchids as I love them too like you .. Thank you so much fir all your advice and can’t wait for us to be off lockdown to get stuff .

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching - as I'm in a rental at the moment while we're renovating I have no choice with the roof! It's an opaque polycarbonate so it offers UV protection but still lets in a lot of light and can get warm underneath. Under that I can create micro climates with larger shade plants like bamboos, palms and strelitzia palm. I then move things around as the sun moves from winter to summer to make sure nothing gets too much or too little light. It's a dance! I used to grow orchids on a balcony in the city using just larger plants as protection! Good luck! It can take a while to figure out what works as you have to observe the movement of the sun for a year to see how it falls in your garden!

[@SVKLOrchids]

Thanks for this! I recently got this species from Sunset Valley Orchids and am interested in learning more.

[@helloplantlovers]

Good luck with yours!

[@matadaniel6520]

Hello from NZ love your find! & Also your content 👌 awesome

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for finding me!

[@mariaholman7760]

Hi Matthew, Love your KZbin videos. Learning heaps! I'm in Wallan (Melbourne's Northern suburbs), and I have a MASSIVE dendrobium speciosum. It hasn't flowered for me yet though. What month/season are they supposed to start showing flower spike activity. I've got heaps of new canes that have come up in the last 8 months or so, so ROUGHLY 25 canes in the pot. It's the beginning of July, and I thought for sure I'd be seeing something by now. Your thoughts?

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for finding me! Mine has no sign of spikes yet either. Should start to see them within the next month or so - don't panic! Cane growth is a great sign and as long as it's getting plenty of direct sun you should be good! Mine was in full bloom in Sept so I imagine the spikes started to form mid ish July?

[@mariaholman7760]

@helloplantlovers oh, OK. That makes me feel better. Thank you so much. Will let you know if spikes appear. It's outside under shade cloth, and I feed it a bit more than my cymbidiums. Fingers crossed 🤞 Thanks again.

[@lucytran-nguyen8042]

I moved to Canberra and found two huge plants at the local orchid show for $30 each. Bargain. I was told, I could leave outside under any big trees and it would have cover for frost. But alas, no. Lost most of the leaves. And one full year for the plant to recover. Still waiting for it to flower. Lesson learnt!

[@helloplantlovers]

Ah! It can depend on your exact location as to the relative protection provided - at least they are not dead!!! Good luck for a bloom!

[@simplyorchidsetc.2]

Hello Matthew I'm growing in S. California and yes you are so right about how expensive this orchid specie they start at $75 for a 4inch . Thank you for sharing. Have a great day stay safe and happy growing : ) Reah

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching! It certainly is a commitment this one!

[@knikers78]

Great video. I have a dendrobium speciosum and it has gotten so big over the 6 years I have had it but has never flowered. At the moment it is looking sick with I think burnt leaves and maybe eaten from tiny snails. I wish I could add a picture for you. I would love some help.

[@helloplantlovers]

Oh dear - I don't know where you are but burnt leaves are merely an aesthetic issue, not necessarily a health minus for the plant. In the wild they look TERRIBLE growing in full sun! But in cultivation if you are in Australia protect them from fierce afternoon sun - dappled afternoon is great. Under a deciduous tree is perfect as they get more winter sun which is important to good flowering. New leaves can be nibbled, mature leaves are too tough. Good luck!

[@knikers78]

@@helloplantlovers thank you. I am also in Melbourne.

[@helloplantlovers]

@@knikers78 There you go!

[@bonemanx1]

Hi I'm wondering if you have any recommendations as to what time of year to divide and repot? I have one potted with canes over 100cm tall and its just starting to show buds between the leaves. Is it best get it repotted now , wait for the flowers to drop or wait for the first new canes?

[@helloplantlovers]

Definitely wait till after it's bloomed. Spring-summer is fine to re-pot these. It may sulk for a year though and not bloom so be prepared for that too...of course it might not!

[@janinegall8062]

Wow, what a great find! Both the speciosum and the book! I live in Tasmania and we do get heavy frosts so I have to keep my orchids inside most of the year. I have a cross between Dendrobium Rhubarb Pie "double cherry" x speciosum windermere. I bought it as a seeding plant and hasn't flowered yet. I wonder if it will grow that big? I hope not otherwise I need a bigger house!

[@helloplantlovers]

....oooo Speciosum is often in the mix for the size so you might need to start checking the real estate listings!

[@BrandonMeeker-qw2of]

Because they started there start on rocks would it be a good idea to include a good amount of oyster shell and decomposed granite?

[@helloplantlovers]

You can indeed, or use lime as part of watering regime.

[@marynguyen2579]

I bought a big pot of dendro speciosum in September. I cleaned it up by cutting all roots, with the hope to have new roots in Spring time. I tied it firmly on a big rock, water occasionally, however, my specious seems be dried out, not a single sign of new roots, leave start turning yellow. I believe I had made a big mistake. How can I rescue it? Thanks

[@helloplantlovers]

Oh dear.....not sure! I might try lightly potting it loose orchid mix with sphagnum moss mixed in and watering it but allowing it to dry out reasonably in between. Choose the smallest pot whatever of the roots left will fit into. Good luck!

[@marynguyen2579]

@@helloplantlovers Thanks very much, will try. 😥

[@graceaxisa4213]

Thank you, Matthew. I really enjoyed this video. I also live in Melbourne! I have a fairly root bound orchid that will need to be repotted at some point and your video has filled me with confidence, so I'll give it a go! I am assuming that I had better wait until it has finished flowering? This is the thing: the orchid was given to me years ago by a friend who couldn't look after it any more. I always assumed it was a Sydney Rock Orchid, but the leaves are substantially smaller than the ones in your video...ahh well! It flowers profusely every year and it looks like this year won't be any different! Thanks again!

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching! The Speciosum has huge canes and leaves, the Kingianum is to a smaller scale and Delicatum kind of in-between. What colour is the flower? And yes, I'd wait util the flower spikes have all died before repotting, but they do thrive being REALLY pot bound - within reason! Generally the Speciosum is called 'Sydney Rock Orchid' and Kingianum 'Pink Rock Orchid'. Good luck!

[@graceaxisa4213]

@@helloplantlovers Ooh!!! I do believe I have a Dendroblum delicatum. I just googled it and it looks right. The flowers are quite white with purple tingles and a splash of yellow in the centre of the flower. Thank you so much! I will repot after flowering. I received the orchid years ago and it was pretty root bound even back then! But I'll definitely only go up one pot size.

[@helloplantlovers]

@@graceaxisa4213 Delicatum is a fabulous orchid! Very floriferous and fragrant - a stunner!

[@eddylavigne875]

Hello just found your Chanel , can you please tell me where I can buy mycorrhizal fungi and what brand please I’m in Melbourne, many thanks

[@helloplantlovers]

Hi - thanks for watching. I just googled it and found an online Australian seller. I don't think you need to worry about brand as it will all be much of a muchness. This is the one I bought: biostim.com.au/shop/myco-gold/ Good luck!

[@paprikagirl5496]

Beautiful dendrobium - looking forward to seeing the blooms. Also - many thanks for providing an update on your zygo! Great news it's doing well. Thanks for the great videos.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching! (And caring about Zygo!)

[@kevinbest9307]

I have one of them what is the best thing to repot them in

[@helloplantlovers]

What ever you want! Pots tend not to be the deal breaker with any orchid! Mine's in terracotta, you could use anything that works for and your conditions. They do like to be pot bound though. Good luck!

[@joanneharrup5201]

Hello from Adelaide, I've been loving watching your videos, you've inspired me to add more variety to my own collection 😊 I have just purchased a Maxillaria ( not received it yet) I would love a video if you have one 😉

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you're experimenting - I've found that once you figure out your conditions it's a lot easier to find new things that might work! I do have a Maxillaria tenuifolia but it hasn't flowered yet. When it does I'll make a video! Good light is key and they are a spring flowerer so I'll see if mine is mature enough to bloom this year!

[@andreianifourcault2245]

Incredible I bought one last month from a collector who wanted to sell her collection but it is 1/10th of yours in size Are there different types of this plant? Thank you for the video

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching - yes I was SO lucky - hence my excitement! Apparently because of its range in the wild it is highly variable and now there are also many hybrids. I'll have to wait and see when it flowers!

[@GyanVikasVikas]

Why the leaf is having dark patch

[@helloplantlovers]

Too much sun. Direct sun will burn the leaves.

[@GyanVikasVikas]

thank you for respond

[@annatoporkova3467]

Hi , I love your videos. I’m from Clyde Vic. I’ve got one of those beauties in my backyard, I keep it potted in larger size bark though. I’ll check the label on it tomorrow.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching - do you get good flowering?

[@annatoporkova3467]

@@helloplantlovers mine is speciosum Capricorn hydra. Apparently it should flower yellow, not white. I had it since last September, so I didn’t have a chance to see it blooming yet . But the new cane it has grown over summer looks very decent in size, it’s bigger then older ones, so I’m hopeful. It tolerated full sun without any problems, no burns at all, but I introduced it slowly.

[@helloplantlovers]

@@annatoporkova3467 Oo I just googled it - sounds interesting! I think mine will be far less glamorous!

[@annatoporkova3467]

@@helloplantlovers I discovered buds on two canes on it today! Yey!!!!!!!

[@helloplantlovers]

@@annatoporkova3467 Hurrah!!!

[@seachangeau]

Oh the BOOK

[@helloplantlovers]

Isn't it fabulous!

[@ESW206]

How often do you have to water this plant?

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching! They are very drought tolerant - in Australia the rain is enough. Otherwise let it dry out between waterings. Depends entirely upon your conditions.

[@marcusmcmahon7113]

Wow! Just wow. I love your orchid book! The pictures looked amazing! How accurately do the pictures reflect your Australian orchids?

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching! Some botanical illustrations are better than others but these are very accurate I think!

[@kenjiro2676]

3:25 I got mine for $125! And unfortunately the plant was buried to deep, so a lot of new growths have died, but now that I have the plant properly leveled in its new pot. Now that it is transplanted into rocks(no roots, lots of them were rotten, there was a lot of maggoty looking grubs too, gross), and has sat there for a while, it has 5 new growths growing!

[@helloplantlovers]

Fantastic!!! Happy growing - all those Aussie dendrobiums are pretty tough and can survive incredible neglect to flourish again under the right touch!

[@sue5061]

I can go one better than you I have a huge speciosum that an orchid guy from our society gave me for free it is so huge and pot bound I really am too scared to report as it will take me hours to get it out of its pot.

[@helloplantlovers]

LUCKY you!!!! Fortunately they don't mind being pot bound! Did it flower this season? Mine didn't.

[@sue5061]

@@helloplantlovers yes mines had 2 flowers this year but 4 last year, if you send me your email I can send you a photos

[@eddylavigne875]

Hello plant lovers it really Eddy wife that asking all the questions fir some reason it comes on his name , have bought my mycorrhizae fungi and got all my rocks and all ready to repot this year I had so many blooms on mine but I bought mine 10 years ago before I got this kind of blooms was just beautiful but if you have an email I would like to send you the photo maybe you can tell me the name please it similar to yours but don’t have a name . Thank you for replying about the roof I do the dance with the sun too like yiu said but I’m getting too many to move now that why I’m hoping a permanent transparent roof might help me better . Love your Chanel please show us your roof one day Mathew

[@helloplantlovers]

@@eddylavigne875 Thank you - I will definitely make a video about my growing space and show the roof! And I'm not sure I could help with identification - there are so many hybrids now and I honestly can't see the difference in half of them! You might be better off contacting a specialist grower like: www.australianorchids.com.au/collections/dendrobiums and asking them what they think the variety might be?