Pruning an Australian Native Orchid

Hi Gang!

I have an Australian Native Orchid that was given to me by the local council when I got my Australian Citizenship way back in 2004

Australian Native Orchids

It's been in my ex's backyard and I discovered how neglected it was. I had him drop it off this morning as I'd like to give a good prune but have no idea where to begin.

Current state

Please help this poor plant 🙂

Thanks

Dee

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Comments

Jason

Oh dear, that does look very neglected @Deanna!

Let me tag @Noelle for you, as she has great expertise with orchids.

Jason

Deanna

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/4448#Comment_4448

Thanks @Jason

Adam_W

Hi @Deanna,
Well that proves how well orchids can thrive on neglect!

Okay, first-off to what you actually have there. It’s most often called the ‘rock orchid’ (or sometimes rock lily) as it happily grows in near-soil-less situations in rock crevices or tree stumps. It’s true name is Dendrobium speciosum.

Pruning is really only done to remove those dead flower spikes.
This one looks like it would appreciate re-potting. They can be divided if needed but generally they are left to form large clumps.
Cut the plastic pot off and find another suitable pot. Personally I like terracotta squat-pots or these ‘super bloomers’.

Once you have it de-potted you’ll probably find that some of those old & daggy back-bulbs (the yellowish shrivelled up ones with no leaves) will come away easily. If so they can be removed but don't tear them off.

Tease the roots out a little and remove any dead material too.

If you really need to you can divide the plant. This can often be done just by just gently teasing the root/bulb mass apart with your hands. Best to wear gloves. You want to keep the divided sections in clumps of at least a few connected & actively growing bulbs/stems.

When it comes to re-potting they don’t want regular potting mix. They need something high in bark for drainage & root development.

It must be a specialised orchid mix or, if you can find it, a fine, composted horticultural orchid bark such as this one.

You may need to use some wire to gently hold the plant(s) in place until they establish new roots.
That's about it. Water sparingly, don't stand in a saucer of water & feed lightly once or twice a year. The occasional application of very diluted liquid seaweed or another organically based product helps too. But keep it well diluted.

Deanna

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/4450#Comment_4450

Hi @Adam_W and thanks for replying.

The Orchid is a Dendrobium speciosum - thanks for finding the botanical name for me.

I have bought a larger pot, but not too large as I know they like to be "cramped". The potting mix I picked up was the Osmocote one you mentioned.

Will the new pot be OK? I've kept the receipt in case I need to exchange it.

It blooms around August, would it benefit from a feed after the re-potting?

Thanks

Dee

Adam_W

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/64369#Comment_64369

No worries Dee,
You are correct, they like to be crammed in.
That pot size looks fine, just make sure the drainage hole is nice & clear as too much moisture will destroy most orchids very quickly. Might even be worth putting another 5 or so 10mm holes in the base of that pot just to be safe.
The mix you have contains fertiliser that will last for around 12-months so beyond a very, very light application of diluted Seasol that's about all the plant will need until next year.
When you do feed it you can either use a specialised product or a reduced application of a suitable controlled-release like Osmocote.
You'll also find some specialised orchid liquid feeds that you apply regularly at different times of the year if you want to get totally into it.

Deanna

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94807#Comment_94807

Thanks @Adam_W I'll be sure to post an after pic, once it's done.

Deanna

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94807#Comment_94807

Hi All

@Adam_W Just a follow up on my poor bush orchid....

I had to have two surgeries on my right hand - the first one was in May and the second in July so I've been unable to prune it
/ re-plant it.

Now that my hand is better and strong enough to attempt it, it's in bloom. How long after blooming can I prune it and re-plant it?

Thanks!

Dee

Deanna

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/4450#Comment_4450

@Isobel @greygardener Any adive on how long after its bloom I can prune it? Thanks 🙂

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113949#Comment_113949

Hi @Deanna,

My understanding from one of our resident horticulturalists @Noelle is that you can divide and repot orchids in mid-Spring after they have finished flowering.

Hopefully @Noelle or another Workshop member can confirm.

Jason

Deanna

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/4448#Comment_4448

Thanks @Jason I figured the plant cant be in that bad of shape if it flowered, so want to look after it.

Noelle

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124648#Comment_124648

Hi @Deanna

The plant's looking great! Leave it in peace until it has completely finished flowering (probably mid Spring), then cut off the old flower spikes and repot as per @Adam_W's instructions earlier in the year.

Rock Orchids like growing in large clumps and often perform much better when left undisturbed for many years, even when they appear to be overflowing out of their pots. Like Adam I prefer terracotta posts or even old hollow Mallee roots! An orchid bark is preferable to an orchid potting mix - it's coarser, better draining and better supports the aerial roots these orchids have. Cut off the old, withered stems but leave the bulk of the clump intact.

Good luck!

MitchellM

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/64595#Comment_64595

@Deanna I have several clumps of this same orchid, when my Grandmother passed away I went and removed them from her rockery as the house and land where being demolished. One clump is as big as yours, but it has never flowered as brilliantly, it is in a similar sized pot though.

Can I ask, do you fertilise at all, or any tips for me? I have one stem of flowers on it atm but would love to see it bloom like yours.

Deanna

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94977#Comment_94977

Hi @MitchellM

I was surprised how well it bloomed this year, given the condition it was in when I rescued it from my ex's house. I did some research on in and found this:

Avoid dense shade, since a lack of light can prevent this orchid from flowering.

Watering
Dendrobium speciosum should only be given a minimal amount of water during the winter season, just enough to keep it a live. Much more water is needed during spring and summer when the orchid is growing.

Fertilizer A fertilizer should be used during spring and summer when your Dendrobium speciosum orchid is growing.

Hope this is of some help 🙂

MitchellM

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113979#Comment_113979

@Deanna Just fertilised mine now after your responce. I kinda knew they needed fertiliser, but didn't want to mess with them since they were giving me atleast one stem of flowers. I split some of mine and gave them to my mother as a present a few years back. Hers haven't flowered, I'll pass on your advice as I know it would mean a lot to her if they bloomed.

Thanks for your reply.

Adam_W

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124663#Comment_124663

Yes, you'll find there are some complex suggestions (and products) for fertilising orchids but an annual application of Osmocote general purpose is the easy way to keep them happy 🙂

Lockee

Hello Dee,

A friend of mine grows the Rock Lilly's very well and has a Gardening Australia segment where he shows breaking up one of these orchids.

https://therocklilyman.com/about-me/youtube-presentation/

Your other option is to visit one of the Australian Native Orchid Groups (ANOS) and then can assist you with doing this.

I hope this helps.

Kind regards,

Andrew.

EricL

Hello @Lockee

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Thank you for joining the discussion.

Let me tag @Deanna to make them aware of your recommendation. Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge with our members. Are you an avid orchid grower? Would it be possible for you to post a few photos of your orchids? I'm sure our members would be keen to see some of your plants.

If you currently have any projects on the go, please don't hesitate to share them.

Eric

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