Dendrobium 'Berry Oda' is a hybrid of Dendrobium kingianum (seed parent) × Dendrobium Mini Pearl (pollen parent). Dendrobium are part of the Orchidaceae family, this particular hybrid is considered one of the easiest to grow and succeed with reblooming as it has Dendrobium bigibbum in its heritage. Dendrobium are typically lithopytic or epiphytic, the seed parent of this cultivar is lithophytic.
Dendrobium ‘Berry Oda’ is a sympodial orchid with tall cane-like pseudobulbs which are bare at the bottom with 3 or 4 narrowly oval leaves at the top, flower spikes growing from the top of the cane or from one of the nodes on the sides. This plant is able to have multiple flower spikes at one time; they can also rebloom from the same cane so it is important to not cut the cane unless it is diseased or turns yellow and wrinkly. Flowers are 1-3 cm across and are purple-pink in colour.
Genus name comes from the Greek dendron meaning tree and bios meaning life.
Pot: ø 9cm.
Height: Approximately 30cm from base of pot.
Flower spikes: 2 branches.
Light: Bright light, south facing windowsill would be ideal but be mindful of how much direct light they receive in spring/summer. Up to 5000fc.
Water: Water with lukewarm water when the bark is dry, reduce watering in winter.
Potting mix: Orchid Focus repotting mix or a chunky mix made up of pine bark, sphagnum moss and some horticultural charcoal.
Fertilising: You could use a higher nitrogen fertiliser for the first two weeks of spring time then during summer time, switch to a bloom booster. Omit fertilising from autumn and reduce watering.
Temperature: Up to 26˚C during the day and 18˚C at night time. Lower night time temperatures can encourage blooming.
Humidity: Between 50-80% humidity.
Blooming information: Cooler temperatures in autumn and winter encourage buds to form and eventually grow into flower spikes. As you notice the flower spikes growing you will need to water more frequently. If the room is too cold (below 15˚C) you may experience bud blast - when the flower spikes abort their buds. Flowers typically last up to 8 weeks, they are fragrant and said to smell like honey.
Dendrobium are non-toxic.