GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post - Book contadicts internet culture of DEN's

26-10-2005, 03:59 PM

wrote:
It was my first purchase. No, none of the pictures were like my Den
when it was in bloom. If it were of the DEN/Phal genus, why wouldn't it
say so on the tag?

Two reasons.
1. There is no DEN/Phal genus. There is genus Dendrobium with a
section Phalaenanthe. Tags usually only indicate Genus and species, or
Genus and hybrid grex, not section. While your plant may be a hybrid
of species within section Phalaenanthe, it is just as likely that it
mixes in species from section Spathulata which have very similar
cultural requirements. It is common shorthand to call them
phalaenopsis-type Dendrobiums, but it is not usual to label them that.

2. The big box stores like Lowes don't care about even minimally
accurate labeling. Most of the orchids are marketed as "disposable"
decorations, and the stores expect that customers will probably trash
them and buy another when they finish blooming. The box stores can be
a cheap source of plants when you are getting started, but as you are
discovering, their poor labeling makes it more difficult to get good
cultural information.