Spiking Dyakia hendersonia care

[poetiscariot]

I've been ogling these plants' blooms for a couple years & finally ordered one:



Look at that spike! I think there's a second one starting below it, too -- it could be a root nub, but it looks like a spike. So I got this unfamiliar plant at an exciting but demanding time -- and I have no idea how to grow it. I've read them described as easy to grow, but it looks more vandaceous than I expected, judging by the empty pot. How can I make this one happy so it'll put out those awesome pink blooms for me?

Oh -- and I don't have a greenhouse. I have a living room with grow lights in it. I do better than I think I should with high-humidity plants (Aerangis and Aerides, for example), but I grow those in sphagnum.

[Halloamey]

I even hadn't heard about this plant till now, just googled it and it indeed is a must have. Yours is really nice and healthy. Looking forward to the blooms.

[panam]

You really got some good stuff in your shipment. Is this one of your new babies you just got in?

[poetiscariot]

Yeah, it is. I got several plants I'm very excited about. (whee!) With this one, barring any better ideas, I'm thinking about soaking some potting mix tonight and adding it loosely into the pot -- not enough to pack the roots in, but enough to sit in there and hold a little humidity between waterings.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

This is what I could find on this orchid:

Temp: 81-85 F day and 65-66 F night
Light 2500-3500 Foot candles. Light should be bright but diffuse and plants should not be exposed to direct sun.


Growing conditions should be maintained all year. In winter, water may be reduced somewhat for cultivated plants, particularly those grown in the dark, short-day conditions.Never allow them to dry out completely. (Charles Baker)

cheers,
BD

[poetiscariot]

Well, hmmmmm. . . it doesn't specifically say to grow them in baskets/bare root, and it does say not to let them dry out, so maybe my adding loose bark to the pot it's in(which I did) was a good choice. Generally, it sounds like I can put it in with my hybrid Catts and it should be fine. Let's hope!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

It also said that many growers grow them in the top of the greenhouse for brighter light. (don't know if that will help, but thought I should add it since it was in the details)


cheers,
BD

[poetiscariot]

Interesting -- I have my rupiculous laelias and a couple bifoliate catt species in my brightest spot, but I let them get pretty dry between waterings. I might. . . don't know, rig up a way to get it closer to one of my lights or something. Keep those tidbits coming if you run across any more.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Okay - here is the rest of it. Lots of typing, lol!!

Plants are usually grown in small clay pots filled with medium grade fir-bark; but they may be mounted to a cork or tree-fern slab. If mounted, however, high humidity must be maintained and the plants watered at least once daily in summer. Several waterings a day may be necessary for mounted plants during extremely hot, dry weather. These plants do not grow well when exposed to old, decomposed medium and should, therefore, be repotted before the medium breaks down. Repotting should be one when new root growth is just starting. This allows the plant to become established in the shortest possible time with the least amount of stress. (Charles Baker)


Humidity: 85-90% most of the year dropping below 85% for about 3 months in summer.
Water: Rainfall is very heavy all year. Plants should be watered heavily, particularly while actively growing. the roots should alswyas be able to dry rapidly after watering, however, and the medium should never be allowed to become stale or soggy. (Charles Baker)

cheers,
BD

[paphioboy]

From what I've heard, dyakia hendersoniana is usually grown like a phal, but brighter. Somewhat like ascocendas, but avoiding direct sunlight. Bright filtered light with high humidity like phals. I have 2 plants with my phals but they are growing slowly and have not bloomed yet...