Pearl Orchid - Techniques for growing and caring for beautiful flowering orchids

Pearl orchid findlayanum is a wild orchid with a pearl-shaped body, gentle colored flowers, fresh fragrance, easy to grow and blooms in spring.

Pearl orchid, also known as Dendrobium findlayanum, is one of the most popular wild orchids today thanks to its pearl-shaped stem, sweet-smelling flowers, impressive colors, and brilliant blooms during Tet. Not only does it have a delicate beauty, but it is also quite easy to grow and bloom when properly cared for.

In today's article, let's learn in detail about the origin, characteristics, and techniques for growing and caring for pearl orchid to help the plant bloom in season.

Origin and distribution of pearl orchid

Cymbidium orchid is a species of wild orchid.

Dendrobium findlayanum, a genus of orchids called Dendrobium, was first discovered and described in 1857. This is a tropical orchid species naturally distributed in Asian countries, typically China, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

In Vietnam alone, the orchid is distributed from the North Central region to the Central Highlands, typically in some provinces such as Son La, Dien Bien, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Lam Dong,...

The pearl orchid is an epiphytic orchid, often clinging to large trees and rocks in humid forests, at an altitude of 300 - 1,500 meters, with distinct dry and rainy seasons.

Currently, although the orchid is not on the endangered list, its number is seriously decreasing due to excessive collection to serve the need for ornamental plants, combined with deforestation for farming leading to loss of natural habitat.

And in our country, there are some areas that have propagated the pearl orchid to both meet the demand for the ornamental orchid market and help preserve this unique wild orchid species.

Meaning of pearl orchid

The pearl orchid is not only an ornamental orchid but it also has many different meanings in feng shui, gifts,...

• A symbol of nobility and purity, unpretentious but still has a strange attraction.
• In feng shui, orchid has the ability to activate good energy, increase luck and fortune for the homeowner, creating a feeling of relaxation and peace.
• In love, the purple color of orchid reminds of romance and loyalty, a meaningful gift for loved ones.
• Dendrobium orchid symbolizes strong vitality, perseverance and indomitability in the face of difficulties and challenges.

Discover the delicate beauty of pearl orchids

Close-up of the stem, leaves and flowers of the orchid.

Let's learn in detail about the shape of the stem, leaves, and flowers of the orchid to both know how to identify this orchid species and explain why they are so popular.

Close :

• The stem is cylindrical, has segments like sugarcane, is round and bulging, and from a distance looks like strings of pearls.
• Length from 20 - 60 cm
• Light green or purple-blue in color, with a thin white shell surrounding it.
• Usually drooping or slightly arched in maturity.

Leaves :

• Leaves grow alternately along the stem, 5 - 10 cm long
• The leaf surface is dark green and slightly shiny.
• Leaves usually fall during the dry season or before the tree flowers.

Flower :

• Flowers grow in leaf axils, each cluster can produce 2 - 3 flowers.
• Each flower is 5 - 6 cm in size, with a balanced structure.
• The petals are usually light purple or pinkish white, the throat is bright yellow, and in the middle of the throat there will be eye-catching purple streaks.
• Flowers have a pleasant, fresh fragrance.
• Wildflowers usually bloom from March to May and last about 1 week to 10 days.

Roots :

• Air roots, ivory white in color, cling well to the substrate.
• Roots absorb moisture and nutrients from the air and substrate.

Techniques for growing and caring for blooming pearl orchids

The orchid is grown on a high trellis with black netting to shade it from the sun.

Although the orchid is well adapted to Vietnam's climate, you still need to master the planting and care techniques so that they can bloom in season. Find out more details below.

Select seeds & prepare growing medium

First, you need to choose the right orchid breed and suitable substrate to help your orchid pot adapt well to the new environment and take root soon. Please note the following:

Choose the orchid variety of pearl chain

• Choose healthy orchids, plump stems, free of pests and diseases
• Should choose domesticated plants

Choose the right substrate :

• Choose a well-ventilated, well-drained and cheap substrate such as driftwood, pine bark, charcoal, etc.
• Do not choose a substrate that retains water because it can easily cause orchid roots to rot.

How to graft and grow pearl orchid

Right below we will give you detailed instructions on how to graft and plant pearl orchids into the substrate. Find out now to know the most accurate way to do it.

Treatment and cleaning of orchids before grafting :

• Cut off damaged roots and yellow leaves
• Soak the orchid roots in a fungicide solution such as Physan 20 or Ridomil Gold for 15 - 20 minutes.
• Hang the orchid in a cool, airy place for 1-2 days before grafting.

Conduct grafting of pearl orchid :

• Arrange the orchid so that the roots and base touch the substrate and the young shoots face outwards.
• Secure the stem with thin nylon cord or zip ties
• Add moss and coconut fiber around the base to retain moisture.
• Hang in a cool, airy place for the first week, only spray mist to keep moist.
• After 10 - 15 days when the roots appear, increase watering and dilute fertilizer.

Care of pearl orchid

To help your orchid grow best and bloom soon, you need to pay attention to light, watering and fertilizing. Please note the following.

Light :

• Hang in a cool, dry place.
• Has diffuse light or soft sunlight, avoid strong midday sun
• It is best to hang the pot on a high trellis and cover it with black netting.

Watering orchids properly :

• Dry season : Water 1 - 2 times/day
• Rainy season : Limit watering, only water when the growing medium feels dry.
• Do not let water stagnate at the base as it can easily cause root rot.

Fertilizing & stimulating flowering for pearl orchids :

• Growth stage: Fertilize with NPK 30-10-10, diluted organic fertilizer once a week to nourish the plant. Add B1 and fish fertilizer if possible.
• Bud differentiation stage (resting season): Stop fertilizing, reduce watering, create a dry season for the plant to rest. At the end of winter, water with NPK 10-30-20 to stimulate flowering.

Pruning & pest control :

• Regularly trim dry, withered leaves and waterlogged roots to prevent mold growth.
• Use quicklime, Ridomil, Physan to treat mold periodically.
• Use biological pesticides to prevent aphids, thrips and red spiders.

Price list of pearl orchids

Below is the newly updated price list of pearl orchids. Please refer to it to see how the price of this wild orchid fluctuates and whether it is more expensive than other orchid species.

Questions and answers about orchid?

What month does the orchid bloom?

Normally, the orchid blooms in late winter to early summer, from about February to May, depending on the region.

Are orchids fragrant?

Cymbidium orchids have a light, fresh and very pleasant fragrance.

Are pearl orchids easy to grow?

Yes, the orchid is quite easy to grow because it adapts well to our country's climate. You just need to pay attention to the dormant season and the bud differentiation season so that the plant can bloom evenly.

Why is the orchid not blooming?

There are many reasons why orchids do not flower, such as not having a dormant season but still fertilizing and watering continuously, planting in a place with little sunlight or too much humidity, or the plant is still young and not mature enough to bloom.

Is the shriveled stem of the orchid a disease?

This is a completely normal phenomenon during the "resting" stage of the orchid, as long as the stem is not rotten and still hard.

Beautiful pearl orchid pictures

We invite you to admire the collection of the most beautiful pearl orchid images with light purple flowers and a characteristic pearl orchid body showing off its bright colors in the moments shared below.

A orchid bush of pearl chain grafted onto a tree trunk.

The pearl orchid flowers have beautiful white and purple colors.

A super beautiful pot of white pearl orchid.

The pearl orchids are in full bloom.

The orchids have a dreamy light purple color.

Through the information that orchid-vn.com shares above, it can be seen that the pearl orchid is not only a beautiful wild orchid but it also has many different values ​​in both economics and feng shui.

Hopefully, the experiences we have shared above will help you understand and know how to take care of the orchid so that the plant can bloom in season.

Don't forget to visit our Blog section to learn more about many other beautiful orchids so you can confidently join the "orchid gardening" community.