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While there are over 1500 species of Dendrobium orchids that come from all over Asia and the South Pacific, a select few species come from a very similar climate to that of SoCal - Australia!
Australian Dendrobiums can handle a wide range of temperatures from the low 30s to the low 100s, making them well suited to grow outdoors in almost all parts of LA County. Plus, they LOVE to bloom. It doesn’t matter how healthy your plant looks; these guys will always give you a Spring show.
Here are some basic care requirements:
Light: Aussie Dendrobiums love filtered, or indirect sunlight. So, they fare well under umbrellas, shade cloth, or trees. I grow them on my patio table under my umbrella and sheltered between or under other plants. Some direct morning sun is fine, but direct afternoon sun will scorch the leaves.
Water: Water once a week during the winter months and at least twice a week during the summer. If temperatures get into the 90’s you may want to increase watering to every other day.
Fertilizer: Use a water-soluble fertilizer formulated for orchids and apply about once every two weeks.
Potting: if potting is required, use a light, airy, well-draining orchid mix containing bark, perlite, and sphagnum moss or coco coir. These plants generally don’t require repotting and do well when they crowd the pot. If the plant or roots start to outgrow the pot, just nest it into a larger pot and the orchid will be happy as a clam.
That’s it! Easy-peasy, and beautiful. Try one out for yourself!
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