Growing & Breeding Spatulata Dendrobiums

1. GROWING & BREEDING SPATULATA DENDROBIUMSBY CHARLIE TRUSCOTTTOWNSVILLE ORCHID SOCIETY INC Carronii Cross Den

2. COMMON NAMES USED TO IDENTIFY LARGE SPATULATA TYPE DENDROBIUMS • Sometimes called Antelope-type Dendrobiums or • Ceratobium-type Dendrobiums or • Spatulata-type Dendrobium and • Hard Cane Dendrobiums • Twisties

3. WHAT MAKES A LARGE SPATULATA TYPE DENDROBIUM • Developed from the species belonging to section Spatulata. • Ranges in height from a few centimetres to several metres • The leaves are arranged in two ranks along the stem and may be • quite leathery. • Flowers have twisted or curled petals resembling in shape the • curled horns of South African antelopes. • The species of section Spatulata are found naturally only in • tropical locations, occurring throughout the islands of Indonesia, • the Philippines, New Guinea, the islands of the South West • Pacific, and Northern Australia.

4. WHAT FEATURES MAKES A SPATULATA DENDROBIUM Twisted Petals Leaves arranged In two ranks along stem Three lobes usually concave Varying degree Of twisting 3 to 5 ridged callus

5. WHERE DO THEY COME FROM AND CLIMATE CONDITIONS Philippines Indonesia ches. New Guinea Northern Australia Temperatures: High thirties in summer And mid twenties in winter. With very high humidity

6. GROWING CONDITIONS • AS MUCH LIGHT AS POSSIBLE BETWEEN 30 – 50% SHADE CLOTH WITHOUT BURNING. • HANG PLANTS WITH PLENTY OF AIR MOVEMENT & HUMIDITY. • PREFER MINIMUM TEMPERATURES AROUND 15◦C, AND ALSO WILL THRIVE WITH MAXIMUMS IN THE HIGH THIRTIES. • NO REAL DORMANT OR REST PERIOD, NEW GROWTH CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME FROM SPRING TO LATE AUTUMN. • DON’T ALLOW WATER TO ACCUMULATE IN GROWING TIP OF NEW SHOOTS AS ROTTING WILL OCCUR. • PLANTS BEST HOUSED IN A SOLID-ROOFED HOUSE PROTECTED FROM WESTERN AFTERNOON SUN. • POT IN A WELL DRAINED MIXTURE. • PROTECT & RUG UP IN THE WINTER TIME.

7. FINDING THE RIGHT LARGE SPATULATA FOR SHOW & BREEDING – WHAT TO LOOK FOR • CHOOSE PLANTS EXHIBITING HIGH BREED VIGOUR • LONG FLOWER RACEMES • UPRIGHT FLOWERS • TIGHT TWISTED HORNS • LOOK FOR STRONG COLOURATIONS

8. My Breeding Results by Selecting the Right Parents Den. helix ‘Green Gold’ Den. Alice's Roberto Den. Green Toro Aim: Produce a better lime green Spatulata Dendrobium with improved shape and flower count

9. MORE RESULT OF USING THE RIGHT PARENTS Den. canaliculatum Den. Mem. Joan Laffey Den. Green Toro

10. My Breeding Looking to the Future Aim: Produce good shape,lime colour, with more twists, large flower count & longer Antelope Type Dorsal Petals ? In flask now Den. Green Toro Den. laxiflorum

11. SOME MORE RESULTS OF SELECTING THE RIGHT PARENTS

12. WHY GROW SPATULATA TYPE DENDROBIUMS? • VERY MUCH A BEGINNERS ORCHID, BEING MOSTLY HARDY AND COMPARATIVELY EASY TO GROW. • MULTIPLE FLOWER SPIKES AND LONG LASTING • FLOWERS CAN LAST UP THREE MONTHS • VALUED AS SHOW PLANTS • PRODUCE ALL THE COLOURS OF THE RAINBOW IN THEIR PROGENY • INEXPENSIVE TO BUY • IDEAL FOR BREEDING WITH THE SMALL SPATULATA TYPE DENDROBIUMS LIKE CANALICULATUM AND CARRONII

13. SPATULATA DENDROBIUMS ARE HEAVY FEEDERS • PLANTS THRIVE ON A WELL BALANCE LOW NITRATE TYPE NITROGEN FERTILIZER • HSO 12 – 12N, 12 P, 20 K OR PETERS BLOOM BOOSTER 10N, 30P, 20K. THESE HAVE ALL THE TRACE ELEMENTS • ONCE A MONTH WITH FISH & KELP, BLOOD & BONE SOLUTION • MUST USE CALCIUM NITRATE ALTERNATIVELY TO THE FERTILIZERS MENTIONED ABOVE. CALCIUM NITRATE IS MADE UP OF TWO NUTRIENTS, NITROGEN IN NITRATE FORM AND CALCIUM, BOTH ARE FULLY SOLUBLE & PROVIDE GOOD EFFECTS NOT FOUND IN ANY OTHER FERTILIZERS. NITROGENIN NITRATE FORM IS PLANTS PREFERRED FORM OF NITROGEN, AND HELPS PLANTS ABSORB OTHER NUTRIENTS IN ADDITION TO CALCIUM. PLANTS CONSUME HIGH AMOUNTS OF CALCIUM. CALCIUM NITRATE ALSO REDUCES THE PLANTS UPTAKE OF SALTS RESULTING IN IMPROVED PLANT GROWTH. • CRITICAL NUTRIENT FOR DEFENSE AGAINST FUNGUS, BACTERIA AND INSECTS.

14. CALCIUM NITRATE CONTINUED Important in cell wall membrane strength and stability Needed for root and shoot growth Used as a second messenger to signal growth and flowering Calcium can not be stored or mobilized from pseudobulbs to a new growth or flower spikes, must be absorbed through the roots at the time it is needed.

15. GROWING PROBLEMS • DON’T OVER POT E.G. POT TO SIZE OF PLANT ALLOW FOR TWO YEARS GROWTH. • REPOT EVERY 18MTHS TO 2 YEARS • SUBJECT TO TWO SPOTTED AND FALSE SPIDER MITES ATTACK IN DRY MONTHS • CAN BE AFFECTED BY FUNGI E.G ANTHRACNOSE BLACKPOT, PHYTOPHTHORA etc. • CHECK FOR KEIKIS

16. TOP TEN SIGNS THAT YOUR ORCHIDS ARE HAPPY • You can pick up plant by the vegetation and the pot doesn’t fall away. • The newest growth is larger than the previous growth. • Leaves are thick and turgid (Not dehydrated) • Pseudobulbs and canes are plump • Plants in growth show long green root tips • Plants are flush with new growth trying to jump out of the pot. • You get multiple flower spikes and blooms • Your orchids don’t complain about being hungry if fed regularly

17. CONTINUED TOP TEN SIGNS YOUR ORCHIDS ARE HAPPY • 9. There’s “No Vacancy” for disease and pests • All your friends want divisions • THE END • THANK YOU FOR LISTENING