Dear Orchid Doc:

There seems to be an influx of a fairly new (to me at least) orchid called nobile. I have seen where you have featured a few very pretty and unusual ones and I am drawn to them. Is there any information you can give that would help me to grow them?

— Dianthe Obrian

Dear Dianthe:

The nobile, a member of the dendrobium family, is truly a pretty orchid!

I find that it does best in very filtered light — bright, but not direct. Some types bloom on the very tip, like the Dawn Marie and the Pulchellam. The medium I find it does best in is a mixture of coal stone and bark, planted in a hanging basket. Avoid overwatering during the cooler months, and do not cut off the naked cane. Fertilise as you would any other orchid.

Dear Orchid Doc:

I got a hanging orchid recently for my birthday, and was told that it is a dendrobium. To my mind, all dendrobiums have tall canes. Could this be possibly true?

— J D Hopkins

Dear JD Hopkins;

There are many species of dendrobium; the one that comes to mind is the one mentioned above — the nobile family. Some people call them the bridal orchids.

Please follow the instructions above and do enjoy your orchid.

Betty Ashley is an avid orchid enthusiast who has spent decades successfully cultivating orchids for herself, as well as for orchid lovers across the island, earning herself the title ‘Orchid Doc’. Send your orchid questions and/or concerns to: bettymay@flowja.com