About
A medium to large-sized, evergreen orchid with long, upright, cane-like stems (pseudobulbs), up to 100cm tall. fresh green leaves are arranged along the cane nodes, stiff and up to 15cm long and 3-5cm wide. The flowering stems measuring up to 50cm emerge from the upper nodes of mature pseudobulbs and carry 3 to 20 flowers. The flowers are waxy and long-lasting, approximately 5cm across. The petals are yellow or brown, often spirally twisted and pointing upwards - resembling an antelope.
About the genus
Dendrobium are epiphytic and terrestrial orchids with elongated, stem-like pseudobulbs bearing linear to ovate leaves. Racemes or panicles of showy flowers are produced from nodes along the stems mainly in spring
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil pHNeutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH1A
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
HabitClump forming, Columnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesHouseplants
Care notes
CultivationPlants are best grown in a pot in an epiphytic, medium grade, bark-based potting mix with addition of sustainably sourced perlite, moss, or coir. As with many orchids, they grow best when the roots are slightly restricted. Therefore, avoid over-potting or frequent root disturbance. It is a warm-growing orchid and the temperatures should not drop below 16°C. Provide very bright light conditions and 80% humidity throughout the year. See indoor orchid cultivation
PruningNo pruning required. Remove spent flowers as necessary, but do not cut the whole cane unless completely shrivelled. Oldest canes may be removed as long as there are at least three, younger, thick, leaf-bearing canes on the plant.
PropagationPropagation by seed is only possible in controlled laboratory environment. Mature plants may be divided when the plant overgrows the pot. Sideshoots (keiki) may develop on older canes - remove and pot them into sustainably farmed sphagnum moss when the new roots are at least 2cm long.
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects, aphids, mealybugs and red spider mite
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free