Dendrobiums are not weird, they are just another type of orchid. They don't look like a Phalaenopsis or a Cattleya. That just makes them different.
On a scale of 1-10, with one being easy, a No-bill-lay (nobile) type of Dendrobium would rate between a 7 or 8 on the scale of difficulty. Why?
Well they require a slightly different culture. They like 2-3 hours of direct sun, otherwise bright. They like to be kept in small pots, never drying out for to long or too often, and when actively growing, they like twice monthly feedings with an even strength fertilizer like 20-20-20.
When they are actively growing they produce alternate leaves up and down the cane or pseudobulb. They are all very similar in length. Then all of a sudden, the growth produces what is called a terminal leaflet. It is half the size of all the previous leaves. That is a sign that the new growth has matured. This is VERY important!!!! When this happens you need to cut back on sunlight and drastically reduce watering. Let them really go dry between waterings. You continue with these modifications until you see little green swollen bumps up and down the cane or pseudobulb. Those are the new flower buds. A week or so after you see buds form you can resume normal watering.
Two other important points. These orchids really do not hold onto a lot of leaves. They drop off easily.
The RE-BLOOM over and over from the same cane or bulb which is really cool.
They like temperatures of 50-85. Willtolerate extremes for short periods of time.
Good growing!!
