(Continued from previous page)

      Hardcane dendrobiums like to be repotted. You may not think so when you have just finished repotting and the damned thing won't stay in the pot. Yes, I know. Been there, done that. Try this. When you see the new growth coming, that's the time to repot. New growth, new roots. Make sense?

      Alright, try this for more good sense. Hardcanes tend to grow tall, then send out flower spikes from the top. The centre of gravity is HIGH. Result:- They fall over. Solution:- Heavy pot.

     I don't like clay pots, which you would think should be the obvious solution, because when they are dry, they tend to suck the moisture from the roots. Try a large deep plastic pot with half a house brick in it (or similar). Now, I know that this is sacrilege. All the books say that hardcanes should be underpotted. And so they can be if you live in the tropics. (If you live in the tropics, you can

dispense with the pot entirely)  If your hardcane was living in it's natural

condition - on a tree - it would send it's roots out thither and yon. Metres and metres of roots, all latching on to trunk or branch. A large pot is but a poor

excuse for a tree. So, (blasphemy) overpot.

       If your hardcane wants to fall out of it's new pot, shove a long stick down the pot and tie the cane to it until new root growth locks the plant, the pot and the potting mix together.

      Perth's water quality is poor. (There's an understatement). If you are in a position to use rainwater, then do so. Hardcanes grow just fine in rainwater. OK, so you don't have rainwater. Like most folks you have to use second best. Tap water! (Yuk) Never mind. If that's all you have, then it will do. You just have to put up with salt buildup on your pots and leaves etc. Give them a good flush out every now and then. It's the least you can do.

  Now this is the IMPORTANT BIT!  Are you paying attention?

  Here is the recipe for killing a hardcane dendrobium.

  Get it wet. Get it cold. Keep it that way.

  Result? Dead dendrobium. I give you my personal guarantee!

OK? Am I getting through to you? You understand the problem, so here is the solution.

Don't get them cold and wet. They don't like it. They can take some wet and some cold, but not both together.

   How you achieve these ends is up to you, but some suggestions may help.

      In winter ;- You could take them into the house. (They housetrain easily)

                        Only water on warm days and then allow the pot to dry right out.

                        During the dormant period you hardly need to water at all.

                        Only water the roots, not overhead.

                        Put a wind break around them.

                        Keep them warm. (10C upwards)

                        Use your imagination.

  If you do these things, your hardcane dendrobium will grow and flower just fine.

How to Make a Hardcane Dendrobium Sit up and Beg.

                  1. do all of the above.

                  2. Build a greenhouse.

                  3. Install a thermostatically controlled heater, set to a minimum 13C.

You only need it for the winter months and they'll love you for it.

                                                                        Tony Watkinson

The Wanneroo Orchid Society