Dendrobium nobile 'Bouquet Purple Rain'

Spring-Autumn · Indoors

Orchid fertiliser

Feed this plant with a specialist orchid feed every other watering while the plant is actively growing or flowering (orchids can grow and flower all year round). Some manufacturers supply one feed for foliage growth and another for flowering.

Spring-Autumn · Indoors

Feed regularly during growth

This plant can flower all year, so feed the plant regularly all year. Follow the feed manufacturer's directions for the amount of feed to use.

Spring-Winter · Indoors

Keep moist, but not standing in water

Keep moist at all times. Water more sparingly in winter, keep the compost just moist.

Spring-Winter · Indoors

Soak completely when watering

Water until water comes out of the bottom of the pot. Leave for 30 minutes or so until the compost is fully moist, then pour away the excess water so the plant pot is not standing in water. (This avoids waterlogging which can cause "root rot".)

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 · 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

Average room, cooler room (min 13C/56F) in winter

This plant thrives in average or cool rooms when grown as a houseplant (average room temperature is around 20C/68F). The minimum advisable temperatures at night and in the colder months are 13C/56F.

Indoor plant · Planting

Position in a bright spot, no direct sun

Give this a bright position away from the direct sun, especially direct sun at the height of the day. (Direct sunshine is too hot and can burn the leaves.) Move the plant to a brighter position in the room during winter and early spring.

Compost · Planting

Orchid compost for repotting

Use orchid compost designed for plants that are terrestrial, i.e. they grow in earth.

You can create your own using a mixture that includes equal measures of a coarse peat and grit with ten percent perliite and charcoal. Opinions vary on 'recipes' and if your interest develops, you can research the views of specialist growers.