It is located in very different habitats throughout Asia, Japan, Borneo, Ceylon, Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand.
Its name “Dendrobium” comes from the Greek word “dendro” = “fingers” in reference to the epiphytic nature of these plants. After Bulbophilum Dendrobium is the second largest genus with over 1200 species of epiphytic orchids.
These orchids have a very large among the highest of all.
Some are evergreen which means they retain their leaves for two or three years after flowering.
These orchid plants grow rapidly over the summer to take a long rest during winter. In spring new shoots are formed from the base of the main floor and new flower buds.
The flowers are in the pseudobulbs that have formed the previous year. Others do lose their leaves at the end of the growing season (deciduous).
These orchid flowers varied in form, but with petals and sepals of the same size. These orchid plants are usually sold in Dendrobium nobile varieties, which comes from mountainous regions of Southeast Asia. The varieties have white or pink flowers, often with a dark spot on the lip width.
Leaves from 10 to 25 cm long, pianos or cylindrical, soft or leathery evergreen or deciduous, present along pseudobulbs ovoid or tapered, smooth or wrinkled, pendulous or erect, growing on a small rhizome.
All Dendrobiums are epiphytes and its name means “living on trees.” Some species of Dendrobium are in great demand among orchid lovers.
They are adapted to a wide range of habitats, from high altitudes in the Himalayan mountains to lowland tropical forests, and even the dry climate of the Australian desert.
This kind of orchids needs a good light, put them near a window, to strong light, but protect from excessive sun, as it would burn the leaves. Need artificial lighting in winter (four hours).
In the summer, after blooming , you can put it outdoors in a place where the rain does not soak the flowers. When you are in development stage, this orchid requires regular orchid fertilizer. By late summer, transfer it to a dry spot outdoors. It can tolerate temperatures down to 0 º C.
Humidity
Minimum of 60%. Spray daily, preventing water droplets are sluggish in the axils of the leaves. However, Need a rest period of six to eight weeks without nutrition and almost without water.
Orchid Pots
Dendrobium potted high but narrow, usually not very stable. It is better to cultivate these plants hang or place some large rocks on the bottom of the pot. You can also place the pot in a bigger planter and fill the empty space with gravel.
In green Dendrobium have hooked to a piece of bark or tree fern.
Substrate
Good ventilation is essential for roots.
Irrigation
The roots are very sensitive to water.
Watering every 3 or 4 days during growth. In the case of deciduous Dendrobium, water every 8 or 10 days during the vegetative stop to cool (12 º C). Once per week in winter in the case of the other Dendrobiums.
Some people never watered and are limited to daily practice that allows spray to reach the roots some moisture.
Feeding
In spring and summer, add every 15 days, a liquid fertilizer for orchids.
Transplant
Every 3 or 4 years at a narrow pot or hanging basket, where vegetation has been reactivated. Place the plant in the shade and wait a week or two before watering.
Pests
Aphids and mites.
Multiplication
Pull down and replant the keikis, those seedlings that develop on the pseudobulbs times the level of the old buds.
By cuttings pseudobulbs fragments, sand, hot (25 º C).
