My top 10 Orchid species with growing tips for great Dendrobium

Orchids are the largest known family of plants and it is invidious to select a top ten. Each genus below has several or even thousands of species and numerous hybrids so treat this list as a taster to the world of top Orchids.

1. Phalaenopsis or … Moth Orchids
2. Dendrobium
3. Cymbidium Boat Orchids
4. Cattleya


Cattleya Angelwalker

5. Paphiopedilum – Slipper Orchids
6. Oncidium – Dancing Lady Orchids
7. Ponerorchis hardy orchids
8. Ondontoglossum Tiger Orchid
9. Miltoniopsis
10. Pleiones -  Windowsill Orchid

See also Wild Orchids in Britain

Dendrobium is an extremely large and varied genus of Orchids containing both deciduous and evergreen types. They originate from India, China, Malaysia and Australasia with nearly all being epiphytic (growing on trees). They typically develop pseudobulbs, which are small storage bulbs that house the plant’s energy.

How To Care For A Dendrobium Houseplant

• The ideal temperature to keep them is between 75 and 85 °F, as they like it hot but at night the temperature can be between 60 and 65 ° F.
• Dendrobium orchids like morning sunlight but during the bright hot times of day they need to be shaded so their leaves don’t burn.
• Keep dry in winter and water sparingly until the buds are set. Allow the soil to dry out between the watering and then feed. As these types of orchids grow naturally on trees they’re used to becoming dry between rains.
• Repot every couple of years, in spring, after flowering or when a new growth cycle starts. Do not over pot but restrict the growth of roots.
• Weigh down the pot with heavy stones or set it in a container as the rapid growth can make the plant top heavy.
• Dendrobium like all orchids require some care but for true orchid lovers the reward is well worth the effort!

Growing Dendrobium Species

• Dendrobium noblis is one of about 1000 species of Dendrobium that have been hybridised to produce plants with massive quantities of flowers in a wide range of colours. The white with yellow eye is fragrant.
• Dendrobium Cuthbertsonii is a short growing spring flowering plant. The comparatively large flowers tend to pink and red. See below for gardeners tips
• Dendrobium delicatum is highly fragrant with festoons of cream flowers on hard canes. They can develop into great specimen plants.
• Dendrobium Gatton Sunray has corn yellow flowers with a red centre. The plant can grow 4 feet tall
• Dendrobium Infundibulum is a good beginners plant with large, crystal white blooms
• Dendrobium Kingianum is an autumn flowering Australian orchid that will grow in a cool greenhouse during summer.
• Dendrobium Miyakei has mauve, pompom flowers along the length of the cane and likes a hot temperature.
• Dendrobium New Comet Red Queen flowers along the whole length of the cane and is a good hybrid of Dendrobium nobile.
• Dendrobium New Guinea is a clump forming yellow flowered orchid. The flowers can last for two months.
• Dendrobium victoria -regina is a deciduous mauve flowering orchid with the blooms on the end of bare stems.
• Dendrobium aggregatum in a variety of colours.
  ‘The name Dendrobium is Greek and comes from the words “dendron,” meaning tree, and “bios,” life – taken together it means one who lives on trees.’

  

  See also Phalaenopsis Orchids
  

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