Dendrobium x gracillimum 'Wisley'

Spring-Winter · Indoors

Keep dry during dormancy

This plant should be watered regularly while it is growth. It likes to be completely dry during its rest period which is usually in winter.

Spring-Winter · Outdoors

Keep dry during dormancy

This plant should be watered regularly while it is growth. It likes to be completely dry during its rest period which is usually in winter.

Spring-Winter · Planting

Divide when too large for pot

Orchids that are too large for their pots can be divided when dormant. Cut through the rhizome and root ball if necessary. Treat cuts with sulphur powder, repot the plant and stake it to ensure it is not going to move in its pot.

You can also remove offsets and bulbils etc. at this time, but be sure to leave some pseudo bulbs and put bulbs back in place. Research specialist literature on this if you wish to get the very best from your orchid.

Summer-Autumn · Indoors

Feed with orchid feed

Use a standard orchid feed regularly at every third watering during summer, applying it as directed on the packet.

For specialist feeding, you can buy a group of orchid feeds. Apply a high nitrogen feed in spring as the plant is coming into growth, a balanced feed during growth, and a high potash feed in autumn.

Summer-Autumn · Outdoors

Feed with orchid feed

Use a standard orchid feed regularly at every third watering during summer, applying it as directed on the packet.

For specialist feeding, you can buy a group of orchid feeds. Apply a high nitrogen feed in spring as the plant is coming into growth, a balanced feed during growth, and a high potash feed in autumn.

Summer-Autumn · Planting

Support tall stems

The plant may require support for long stems. Provide an artificial frame which it can grow through, or loosely tie the whole plant. A network of twigs can be woven together to provide a framework through which the plant can grow.

Tall stems can lean or be battered by weather. Support the plant to keep its vertical lines, aiming for a natural appearance which is easy on the eye.

Indoor temperature · Planting

10C minimum temperature

This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.

Indoor plant · Planting

Position in moderate light / some shade

This plant is happiest in a position with part or light shade, near a sunless window or some distance away from a sunny or bright window. It should not be exposed to full sunlight.

Compost · Planting

Orchid-epiphytic compost for repotting

Buy a standard orchid mix for orchids that are epiphytic in character i.e. they grow on other things, generally other plants.

If making one's own one recipe create a mix that is half fine bark chips, and a mix of fine gravel and perlite and charcoal for the other half. Opinions vary on 'recipes' and if your interest develops, you can research the views of specialist growers.