Oh I have another question are species orchids more difficult to grow and flower then hybrids?

Ok, so on Orchids Canada I am really liking the Promenea Meadow Gold and according to the growing info on Clouds Orchids I have the right conditions for it. The only problem is it says not to mist the leaves....do I mist the roots instead? What is the simpliest way to increase the humidity other then buying a humidifier? My Phals love being misted so that is the method I use most.

My Promenaea tolerate some misting but if I overdo it, the leaves fall off. I aim under the leaves.

Thanks Kathy! I usually mist lightly once or twice a day. Would a pebble tray be a good idea?

Need a screen over the pebbeles since orchids can't sit in water (except phrags but thats another story!).

Well, I ended up going with something completly different! I have ordered Thunia marshalliana 'New Life' and since he is out of 3" he is selling me a 4" that should flower this spring! I can't wait, I'm guessing he will ship it Monday and it will arrive next week!

Oh nice!! I've never grown one of those. You get to be our teacher!

Good culture info on this site http://www.ont.co.za/thunia.ht...

I don't think I'm qualified to be a "teacher" but I really liked the fact that I don't have to do a thing to it over the winter months. That is a definite perk for me. This one should tide me over for the winter and then in the spring I'll think about maybe ordering a Cambria......or two

Thanks for the link Carol, it has some great info. I actually read it earlier this afternoon....I scoured the net for information.
The only real problem it seems to have is spidermites but I like to keep a bit of space between my plants and try to keep the humidity up so hopefully I'll be able to ward them off.

Ok, I'm back with another Dendro question, some of the leaves are starting to yellow Is this supposed to happen? Not just on the bottoms of the canes but leaves near the tops of the canes too. I moved it over so it will be getting less direct light(mainly just eary morning if someone happens to open the blind that early)....not sure if sun is causing the yellow though since I really have no idea. Could it be watering? I water it well about once a week since someone mentioned it should dry well inbetween waterings.

Steven, it could be a dormant type. If it is, they require a different set of rules. Without a name, it's very difficult to know. I have one that I thought I'd killed, but I left it out with no water all summer and it is getting a new growth. If it loses all it's leaves, but the canes look healthy, don't toss it. put it out of sight and leave it dry until new growth appears and the new roots are 3" long. This is what I've read. I started watering mine when I first saw the new growth, and it promptly rotted, but the old canes still looked good, so I just ignored it. You can mist it if the canes start to shrivel. Some types bloom on dormant canes. Good luck!

I guess thats what I get for buying a cheapy Dendro from the grocery store, no name! It is still flowering and that cane looks fine and there is new growth starting at the base of the plant......but some of the other canes are turning yellow...could it just be some of the older canes dieing off?

Older canes aren't important for the plant's health but the new growth is most important!

So as long as the new growth is growing it should be ok? And should I fertilize again before winter or wait till spring?

The general information for all orchids is to feed while in active growth, and cut back when growth has matured. I tend to wonder how they survive in their natural habitats. Dens are the largest of the orchid alliances and grow everywhere from beach sand, to rocks, to trees. It doesn't help that the sellers never say what type it is. I've gotten some information from this website, if you can get back to their home page....http://www.clanorchids.com/cultindx.htm
Sorry, sometimes I get links, sometimes not

Just leave a space before the http part, Carol. Here is a culture sheet from the AOS on dendrobiums. I have links to tons of info on the right side of this cubits' pages and that's where you cam link to the AOS site. http://bit.ly/dz2Kc6

Aha! It must be that space.
In any event, it is a very confusing alliance for beginners.

I agree. I'm always surprised that they don't change all the dendrobiums to new names for the different groups!

Thank you both for the links! I will read them through soon since it is late now...need to memorize all this info
I just hope its not dieing on me I really do like it and it would be a shame if it kicked the bucket....it probably doesn't help any either that its coming into winter.