The ‘Love Memory Fizz’ orchid, a Dendrobium nobile-type hybrid, is popular for its blooms and fragrance. This hybrid brings elegance to any indoor garden, making it a rewarding plant to cultivate.
Distinctive Features
The ‘Love Memory Fizz’ orchid showcases white flowers often adorned with pink accents and a dark throat. These blossoms, typically two inches across, emerge in profusion along the plant’s canes and have a sweet fragrance. The plant itself is semi-deciduous and pendulous, meaning its canes may arch or hang. It is normal for this nobile-type Dendrobium to shed some or all of its leaves, particularly before or during its spring blooming period, with flowers appearing on bare canes.
Optimal Growing Conditions
Light Requirements
‘Love Memory Fizz’ orchids thrive in bright, indirect light. Placing them near an east or south-facing window with diffused light is beneficial. Direct sun exposure during the hottest hours of the day can lead to leaf scorch. If natural light is limited, supplemental grow lights can provide the necessary intensity. Healthy light exposure results in light green leaves, while dark green leaves may suggest insufficient light.
Watering Practices
Watering frequency for ‘Love Memory Fizz’ varies significantly with its growth cycle. During active growth in spring and summer, the plant requires regular watering, allowing the potting mix to approach dryness but not become completely dry between waterings. Water thoroughly, letting it drain completely to prevent root issues. As fall approaches and the plant prepares for its dormant period, watering should be gradually reduced. During the cool, dry winter rest, water only enough to prevent the canes from shriveling, which might be as infrequently as every couple of weeks.
Humidity and Temperature
These orchids prefer moderate to high humidity, between 50% and 70%. In drier indoor environments, pebble trays filled with water (ensuring the pot does not sit directly in water) or a humidifier can help maintain moisture around the plant. ‘Love Memory Fizz’ tolerates a wide temperature range, from lows in the 40s°F (4°C) to highs in the 90s°F (32°C). For optimal growth and blooming, daytime temperatures between 70-75°F (21-24°C) and nighttime temperatures of 50-60°F (10-15°C) are suitable.
Potting and Repotting
A well-draining potting medium is needed for Dendrobium nobile types, as their roots need good air circulation. Bark-based mixes are a common choice, sometimes combined with sphagnum moss or perlite. Repotting is typically done every two to three years, or when the plant has outgrown its pot and new growth extends over the edge, or when the potting medium starts to decompose. The best time to repot is in the spring, after flowering and when new root growth becomes visible. Choosing a pot that is only slightly larger than the current root system is recommended, as these orchids prefer to be somewhat root-bound.
Fertilization
Regular fertilization supports growth and flowering in ‘Love Memory Fizz’ orchids. During the active growing season in spring and summer, a balanced orchid fertilizer (e.g., 20-20-20 NPK) can be applied every one to two weeks, often at a diluted strength. Some growers prefer to fertilize with every watering during this period, flushing the pot monthly with plain water to prevent salt buildup. As the plant enters its fall and winter rest period, fertilization should be significantly reduced or stopped entirely to encourage flower bud development.
Encouraging Reblooming
Encouraging ‘Love Memory Fizz’ to rebloom requires a distinct seasonal cycle. After the active growing season, a cool, dry rest period in the fall and winter is necessary for flower bud initiation. Bright light exposure throughout this rest period also supports reblooming. Once flower buds begin to appear on the sides of the canes, normal watering can gradually resume.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Yellowing leaves are a common issue for Dendrobium nobile orchids, stemming from various factors. Overwatering leads to root rot, causing leaves to yellow and become mushy. Conversely, underwatering can also result in yellowing and wrinkled leaves due to dehydration. Too much direct sunlight can cause sunburn, appearing as yellow or discolored patches on the leaves.
Lack of blooms is a result of insufficient light or an inadequate cool, dry rest period. If the plant is healthy but not flowering, increasing light exposure and ensuring the necessary temperature drop during dormancy can help.
Pests such as mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids can affect Dendrobium orchids, appearing on leaves and stems. Regular inspection and prompt treatment, such as wiping affected areas with rubbing alcohol, can help manage these issues.