Family: Orchidaceae

This genus comprises over 900 species of orchids which grow profusely throughout the southern hemisphere, particularly in India, New Guinea and Australia. They are extremely disparate in size and flower form and, with the many hybrids that have been raised, in colour as well. Colours range from near white through yellow to mauve and dark purple. Some come in pure colours but most are bicoloured or varie­gated.

Species

D. falcorostrum, D. kingianum and D. speciosum are all native to Australia. These species, especially D. kingianum, have been extensively hybridized to produce some lovely and unusual cultivars.

D. bigibbum, the Cooktown orchid, is popular in cultivation for its mainly rich pink to purple blooms.

D. speciosum reaches 1 m (3 ft) or more in diameter when mature. However, D. nobile and its numerous cultivars is probably the soft-cane dendrobium most often grown. This species has white flowers, marked with rosy pink and magenta, with a dark purple throat. The cultivars provide an enormous colour range. In all, 52 species are native to Australia. Three extremely colourful species of Drndrobium are well worth growing: D. chrysotoxum, D. densiflorum and D. fimbriatum, all from the lower Himalayas or Burma. A good orchid nursery should be able to supply many species and hybrids of Dendrobium.

Cultivation

These frost-tender orchids are grown in an intermediate greenhouse or con­servatory in frost-prone climates. Many are epi­phytic and the usual way to grow them is on slabs of bark hung up in the greenhouse, sur­rounding the roots with sphagnum moss. Alternatively, they can be grown in pots of compost formulated for epiphytic orchids, which should be available from specialist orchid nurseries. Instead of pots they can be grown in slatted wooden orchid baskets hung up in the greenhouse. They need small con­tainers if they are to flower freely. In spring and summer the plants like a humid atmosphere and partial shade, plus ample watering. Mist spray the plants every day and liquid feed about once a week. In autumn and winter the plants need maximum light, when they should be kept dry. Propagate from division in spring when the plant has outgrown its container.

Climate

At least zone 10.