Farmer's Dendrobium

Farmer's Dendrobium key facts

Growing Difficulty

Intermediate

Lifespan

Perennial that can be kept for many years by division (little data on lifespan)

Size

Stems 20-30 cm; flower stems 20-25 cm; flowers about 5 cm across

Watering

Dilute liquid fertilizer in the growing season

Light & Placement

It likes some shade; screen strong direct sun and grow it in bright partial shade.

Watering

Water heavily while growing, and give a short, definite dry spell in winter to set buds.

Temperature & Overwintering

A warm to intermediate grower; exposing it well to autumn cool outdoors before bringing it in helps it bud.

Soil & Repotting

Pot in sphagnum or bark in a smallish pot; repot after flowering.

Dormancy Care

Withholding water for a period after bringing it indoors is what triggers flowering.

About Farmer's Dendrobium

Dendrobium farmeri is a spray-type orchid with pale lilac-to-white flowers and a bright yellow lip, borne in pendulous clusters of 30 or more blooms. Learn its key features and care points.

7 things to know before growing Farmer's Dendrobium

1. 1Placement and Light

   Dendrobium farmeri thrives in bright light, but direct midsummer sun can scorch the leaves, so filtered or slightly shaded light works best. Good air circulation around the plant also helps keep the stems and leaves healthy.

2. 2Watering Balance

   During the growing season, water thoroughly once the medium dries out, alternating between moist and dry rather than keeping it constantly wet. From autumn into winter, cutting back watering sharply to create a dry rest period is important for encouraging flower buds, since overwatering through this season can result in fewer blooms.

3. 3Well-Draining Medium

   As an epiphytic orchid, Dendrobium farmeri prefers a fast-draining medium such as bark rather than soil-like mixes that hold too much moisture, which can lead to root rot. It can be grown in a pot or mounted on a slab of bark or fern fiber.

4. 4When to Repot

   Repot roughly every two to three years, once the growing medium starts to break down. Spring, after flowering when new roots begin to grow, is the best time, so work quickly and avoid damaging the roots more than necessary.

5. 5Autumn-Winter Rest

   Flowering depends on giving the plant a proper dormant period in autumn and winter, with cooler temperatures and reduced watering. If kept warm and watered as usual through this season, the plant tends to keep growing vegetatively instead of forming flower buds.

6. 6Choosing a Plant

   Look for stems that swell near the tip into a distinctive diamond-shaped cross-section, a hallmark of this species. Healthy leaves and roots, along with stems that aren't shriveled, make for a plant that's easier to care for going forward.

7. 7Post-Bloom Care

   After the flowers fade, trim away the spent flower stem and return to regular watering and feeding to support new stem growth. Since this season's new stems will carry next year's blooms, this growing period is an important time to help the plant build strength.

Frequently asked questions about Farmer's Dendrobium

Q.Can beginners grow Dendrobium farmeri?

A.It's generally considered suited to growers with some experience, since getting it to flower well requires care with the dry winter rest period. Those already comfortable with basic orchid care will likely find it manageable.

Q.How large and how many are the flowers?

A.Each flower measures about 5 cm across, and a single pendulous spray can carry 30 or more blooms. Even one flowering spray makes for a full, eye-catching display.

Q.How big do the stems grow?

A.The stems typically reach about 20 to 30 cm tall, with flower spikes extending roughly 20 to 25 cm. Only the area near the tip swells, giving the stem its characteristic diamond-shaped cross-section, a useful way to identify this species.

Q.How many years can I keep growing it?

A.It's a perennial that can be divided and kept growing for many years. Detailed data on its overall lifespan is limited, but with proper care it can be expected to flower again each year.

Q.Why might it fail to flower?

A.A common reason is not giving the plant a proper dry rest in autumn and winter, so it keeps growing instead of setting flower buds. Lowering the temperature somewhat and cutting back watering during this period makes flower buds more likely to form.

Handy Growing Tools for Farmer's Dendrobium

Learn more about Farmer's Dendrobium in the encyclopedia

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