Dendrochilum wenzelii

Also known as: Wenzel's Dendrochilum or Dendrochilum wenzelii h.f. album in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

General Information

Wenzel's Dendrochilum is a sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae. It is named after the Orchid Collector in the Philippines early in the 1900's.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 40cm. Each new growth has a single erect rigid leaf that grows to 0.2-40cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 2.5cm

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• Spaghnum Moss

Care Notes

These orchids like to be watered regulary, especially during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered daily or even many times a day.

These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.

Climate

Grows at low elevations. Rainfall ranges from 25mm to 272mm per day, heaviest in November and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 71% to 85%, highest in December and lowest in April. Temperature ranges from 16C to 34C, highest in May (21C to 34C) and lowest in February (16C to 26C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a wet-dry cycle between waterings, they should be watered frequently but only when the moisture is approaching dryness, where the pot feels light and/or the media looks dry. Keep an eye on mounted orchids in warm weather as they may dehydrate quickly.

Fertiliser

Apply liquid based fertiliser per recommended directions. They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, followed by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears, and a balanced fertiliser in other times. These orchids can also tolerate slow release fertiliser applied 1-2 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.

Potting

These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow. 

Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.

Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,

This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted. Repotting is best done annually and in a pot the same size or only slightly larger than the previous one.