Usually, this genus is divided into two groups by the types of pseudobulbs: either the short, and stocky or long, and cane-like types. They range from less than 5-centimetres (2-inches) tall to over 4.5-metres (15-feet) long. In addition, we find evergreen and deciduous species.
Flowers range from small and inconspicuous to large and extravagant, and can be produced singly or in clusters. The lateral sepals are joined at the base to form a short sac or mentum.
Usually, Dendrobiums are divided into warm, intermediate and cool growing conditions. For warm-growing plants the temperature should not drop below 15° Centigrade (60° Fahrenheit), intermediate growing plants tolerate temperatures as low as 2° Celsius (35° Fahrenheit), and the cool growing plants will tolerate even colder climates. These cool growing Dendrobiums will not grow well in hot climates. Most growers of Dendrobiums use a potting mixture that is very well drained, consisting of bark and charcoal, sometimes with a little sphagnum moss added to it. Most species will respond with a good flowering season if a dry rest period is given them in winter. In addition, potting into a new container is usually done when new shoot appear. Plants may be divided at this time.
Furthermore, almost all species are considered epiphytic, although they can be found growing as terrestrials or epipteric (upon rock). Found throughout the Asian tropics, from India to Japan, and Fiji in the east to Australia in the south. Papua New Guinea is particularly rich with over 500 species. Altogether, this genus has over 1500 species. Dendrobiums grow from hot, moist tropical, lowland rainforests to altitudes of 3,000-metres (10,000-feet) and in semi-arid conditions in the north and east of Australia.
However, growth is sympodial, with hardly any to numerous internodes or distinct stems in clusters on the rhizomes. These wiry or fleshy pseudobulbs may be erect, creeping or pendulous.
Leaves are joined at the base. However, they are very variable in shape, from club-shaped to linear or almost round. Texture may be thin to thick and leathery.
Inflorescences are racemose, and may be terminal or lateral, appearing in the upper nodes. Generally, the flowers are small to large, with almost equal sepals. Lateral sepals joined to the column foot at their bases to form a distinct mentum. In some species the column foot is absent. Petals are usually, but not always, narrower and thinner than the sepals, and frequently shorter.
Group one
Plants with oval, oblong or furrowed, semi-terete leaves.
Species are: Dendrobium cucumerinum, D. linguiforme, and D. wassellii.
Group two
Plants with elongated, terete or sub-terete to ovate to acuminate leaves.
Species are: Dendrobium bowmanii, D. calamiforme, D. fairfaxii, D. sp. Aff. fairfaxi. D. mortii, D. pugioniforme, D. racemosum, D. rigidum, D. schoeninum, D. striolatum, and D. teretifolium.
Group three
Plants with oblong, ovate to very widely ovate, and terete leaves that are always prostrate. The foliage is smaller in all parts than in group one or group two.
Species are: Dendrobium lichenastrum, D. prenticei, and D. toressae.
Species are Dendrobium carronii, D. monophyllum, and D. schneiderae.
Labellum is usually not held closely to the column, and the disc keels are not generally high. (Exceptions are Dendrobium fleckeri, and D. falcorostrum).
Species are: Dendrobium adae, D. aemulum, D. falcorostrum, D. fleckeri, D. jonesii, D. sp. Aff. jonesii, D. kingianum, D. macropus subsp. gracilicaule, D. macropus subsp. howeanum, D. moorei, and D. tetragonum.
Most essentially, it requires good ventilation, and bright light. Try to provide a moist atmosphere, and protection from dry winds. Also, a block of hardwood or cork is suitable. Nevertheless, if grown in a pot, the mixture should be very open, a pine bark mix that dries out between watering is suitable.
Originally, this plant is from the highland rainforests of north Queensland, Australia. As a result, it bathes in heavy mists and dews each morning. Further, these forests are about 760 to 1220-metres (2500 to 4000-feet) above sea level.
Syns. Callista adaea, Dendrobium palmerstoniae, D. ancorarium, and Tropilis adae.
Two or three inflorescences are produced from winter to spring. They grow from the top of each pseudobulb. Each inflorescence often carries more than seven white or cream flowers with long, slender and widely open segments. Further, the labellum has pink to purple markings. Each bloom grows to 3-centimetres (1¼-inches) across.
Cultivation is better on a hardwood of cork epi-log. A protected, shaded position with a moist atmosphere is preferred by this species. Watering should be done every day during active growth. Later, as growth matures watering should be reduced. Then, as winter comes in, let the plant rest with very little water. In this winter rest period, the flower primordia develop.
An epiphytic plant that is indigenous to sub tropical, eastern Australia.
When potting this plant use a coarse orchid mix and a small pot. However, a hardwood epi-log is best. Also, very bright light is necessary for healthy growth, so hang up high in the greenhouse. If outside cultivation is possible, grow in an area that has bright light, just short of burning the leaves. Wherever the plant is grown, good air movement is important. Heavy watering during the growth period is necessary. On the other hand, the winter months must be a dry, rest period. In this season, provide a minimum temperature of 15° Celsius.
In its natural habitat, this plant usually grows on paperbark trees overhanging watercourses or swampy areas. It grows in northeastern Western Australia, the Northern Territory, islands in the Gulf of Carpentaria, and north of the Australian mainland. Therefore, it is subject to a monsoonal climate, consisting of the wet season in summer and a long dry season in winter. This dry season can have up to 3-months without any rain.
Syns. Onychium affine, Dendrobium bigibbum, D. dicuphum, D. leucolophotum, Callista dicupha, Dendrobium urvillei, D. dicuphum var. grandiflorum, and D. dicuphum var. album.
Epi-log culture suites this plant best, because of its rambling growth habit. Tree fern fibre helps with growth, as it keeps moist longer. On the other hand, hardwood is fine as long as continuous mist is applied on the hottest days of summer. High humidity, cool conditions, and plenty of air movement, together with bright light keep this plant healthy.
In its natural environment it grows in cool cloud forests, in the upper parts of tree trunks and branches. They appear between 900 and 1300-metres (2950 and 4250-feet), rarely at lower altitudes. It is distributed through northeast Queensland, Australia. Syns. Callista agrostophylla, Dendrobium muellerianum, and Trachyrhizum agrostophyllum.
Try to provide a minimum winter temperature of 15° Celsius (60° Fahrenheit). Also, it needs bright light, and high humidity. If growing this plant in a container, provide a very open mixture. Repotting should be done each year or with a two year maximum. In addition, provide plenty of water in the summer growing season, but very little during the winter rest period.
This orchid grows on small trees in northern Queensland, Australia, coastal parts of Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.
Syn. Dendrobium d'albertisii, and Callista antennata.
If pot culture is used, a very open potting mixture is necessary, although a slab-type epi-log is best. Watering throughout the year is important, so provide more water than for the average Dendrobium. As this is a tropical species, the minimum temperature should not drop below 15° Celsius (59° Fahrenheit).
Its place of origin is the lowlands of northeast Queensland, Australia. They occur mostly in coastal areas on trees, but occasionally rocks near creeks, and mangrove swamps.
Syns. Dendrobium keffordii, Callista baileyi, and Grastidium baileyi.
This species can be grown well in pots or epi-logs, if placed in a warm, sunny position. Winter temperatures should not drop below 15° Celsius (59° Fahrenheit). Provide with plenty of moisture in the growing season. However, watch for moisture rot on new growth. After flowering, it should be rested until new growth appears.
The homes in nature for this genus are: northern Queensland, Australia, New Guinea, Timor, New Britain, the Solomon Islands, and Fiji. It inhabits lowland rainforests to an altitude of 550-metres (1800-feet).
Syn. Doritis bifalcis, Dendrobium chloropterum, Callista bifalcis, Phyllorchis chloroptera, Bulbophyllum oncidiochilum, Latourea oncidiochila, Dendrobium breviracemosum, Latourorchis bifalce, and, Sayeria bifalcis.
Although it naturally lives in a tropical climate, it grows well in a temperate one as long as the temperature does not drop below 15° Celsius (59°Fahrenheit). It needs plenty of water in the growing season, but needs a long winter rest period. During its rest period spray the plant with mist occasionally, just enough to stop the pseudobulbs from shrivelling too much. Also, place in bright light.
Its natural homes are on the Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia, The Torres Strait Islands, and Papua New Guinea. In Australia it occurs mostly at low altitudes in semi-arid regions. And can be found on small trees, and rocks. This is a monsoonal type climate that has a hot wet season and a long, dry, winter season.
Syns. Dendrobium sumneri, D. bigibbum var. candidum, D. bigibbum var. sumneri, D. bigibbum subvar. Candidum, D. bigibbum var. albo-marginatum, Callista bigibba, Callista sumneri, Dendrobium bigibbum var. albo-purpuratum, and D. bigibbum var. album.
Culture is the same as Dendrobium bigibbum var. bigibbum.
Its natural habitat is growing on open forest trees near creek banks, at the Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia.
Syns. Dendrobium phalaenopsis, D. bigibbum var. macranthum, and D. bigibbum var. phalaenopsis.
For this species, try to provide a minimum winter temperature of 8° Celsius (46° Fahrenheit) or a little warmer. For the best growth, and flowering, provide a lightly shaded position with plenty of air movement. Full sun in the early morning suits this species, provided it gets filtered sunlight for the rest of the day. Moreover, cork, hardwood, or tree fern fibre epi-logs are acceptable hosts. Water regularly during the growing season, but keep just moist in winter.
The natural home of this species is northeastern New South Wales to northeastern Queensland, Australia. It is mainly found on the coastal plain growing on trees and rocks in the drier, outer parts of the rainforests, and mangrove swamps.
Syn. Dendrobium mortii.
To be on the safe side, provide this species with a winter minimum of 8° Celsius (46° Fahrenheit). In addition, it is suitable for growing on an epi-log, where it receives full morning sun, and dappled light for the rest of the day. It is suitable to use hardwood, cork or tree fern. Water well, and feed in the growing season, and keep just moist in the rest period.
Rocks, and trees are the main hosts of this plant. It grows from sea level to 1200-metres (3950-feet) in a mixed environment. Accordingly, it can be found in moderately open forests, rainforests, and swamps. Some of these areas are exposed to the sun, and others are in deep shade. Its natural habitat is in north Queensland, Australia.
Syns. Dendrobium teretifolium var. fasciculatum, D. teretifolium var. album, D. baseyanum, and Dockrillia baseyana.
D. canaliculatum var. canaliculatum. This is a variety that has short, thick pseudobulbs, growing from 3 to 14-centimetres (1¼ to 5½-inches), that taper at both ends. From the top grow two to eight, thick, and semi-cylindrical leaves. These are channelled on the topside at their tips. From between the leaves rise one to four racemes growing about 10 to 40-centimetres (4 to 16-inches). Mostly, they bear about twenty-five flowers, occasionally, up to sixty blooms in late winter to spring. Each is fragrant, and tricoloured with slightly twisted sepals, and petals. The colours are white to pale green with yellow tips, and the labellum is white with rich mauve to purple markings.
This variety is often found on paperbark trees (Melaleuca spec.) in swamplands, open forests, and semi-arid areas. Its natural distribution is from sea level to 760-metres (2500-feet) Queensland, and the western part of coastal Northern Territory, and adjacent islands, Australia. Also, it is in Papua New Guinea.
Syn. Dendrobium tattonianum.
Their natural home is on flood plains, and swamps. This variety also grows on paperbark trees (Melaleuca spec.) in the Northern Territory, and adjacent islands, Australia.
Syns. Dendrobium foelschei, and Callista foelschei.
Dendrobium canaliculatum var. nigrescens. Finally, this variety is similar in many respects to the type variety. Nevertheless, the racemes are often shorter, and the flowers usually have wider, and/or shorter petals, and sepals. Also, the colours of these segments are in shades of rich brown. These are lighter or greenish towards the base. In addition, the labellum is creamy-yellow to white with blood red to mauve or purplish.
It is distributed in the Cape York Peninsula and the islands of the Torres Strait. Moreover, it ranges from sea level to 760-metres (2500-feet) usually on paperbark trees (Melaleuca spec.). Furthermore, it grows in a variety of habitats from swamplands to open forests in semi-arid areas.
Although these plants can survive on the wood they where collected or purchased, or even in a pot, they grow to their best when they are kept on the bark of the cork oak (Quercus faginea). Also, they have distinct seasons: the growing season, which is from late spring to early autumn. In this season provide plenty of water, a high temperature, and fresh air that is low in humidity. Reduce watering as the weather cools. Next is the season of rest. This is from autumn to early winter, when the plants should be kept on the dry side. Place the plants in a well-lit area so new growth does not appear (this new growth will not survive). Then, the flowering season from late winter to early spring. In this season water sparingly so the pseudobulbs do not shrivel too much. As the flowers are ready to open the watering should be increased.
Growth should be best when grown on a hardwood epi-log. Nevertheless, if we use pot culture, the mix should be very open. Watering should be carried out all year, and the plant should not be allowed to dry out completely at any time. Air movement should be plentiful, and the humidity high. Also, try to provide a winter minimum temperature of 15° Celsius (59° Fahrenheit).
Plants are mostly found in rainforests, and in open forest trees that hang over watercourses in the lowlands of northeast Queensland, Australia.
Syn. Grastidium cancroides.
The culture of this species is the same as Dendrobium canaliculatum.
This plants place in the wild is an area from sea level to 500-metres (1650-feet). It survives in open forests and swamps. Melaleuca spec. are the common hosts for this orchid, and they always grow in high humidity areas of Cape York Peninsular, Queensland, Australia, and New Guinea.
In its natural home it grows on river oaks (Casuarina cunninghamiana) trees, and occasionally on rocks. They occur in NSW, and southeastern Queensland Australia.
Although difficult to grow well, it will survive in containers of coarse orchid mixture. However, it grows reasonably well on a rough, hardwood epi-log, and placed in dappled sunlight. Good air movement is important for the plants health. In the summer growing season water well, and provide a quarter strength liquid fertiliser at regular intervals. This species can survive a winter minimum of 0° Celsius (32° Fahrenheit).
Syns. Callista cucumerinum, and Dockrillia cucumerina.
Syn. Dendrobium undulatum, a homonymic name. Callista undulata, and Dendrobium elobatum.
Three named varieties and two forms occur in Australia, all are listed separately below:
Dendrobium discolor var. discolor forma discolor. This orchid grows over 2-metres (80-inches) high, and has been recorded over 5-metres (16-feet). This makes this orchid the largest, and most robust Dendrobium in Australia. The stem-like pseudobulbs have a small basal swelling, then long, fleshy, stem-like growth that has a swelling somewhere between the middle and the base. On the upper two-thirds of the pseudobulbs are numerous thick and leathery leaves. On the upper part of each stem, it can carry up to six arching racemes that grow to 60-centimetres (2-feet) long. Each bloom is widely expanding, fragrant and long lasting. Nevertheless, each raceme can carry as many as eighty blooms, although usually thirty to forty. These flowers are very variable in size, from 4 to 8-centimetres (1½ to 3-inches). Also, the twisting of floral segments, size of individual segments, and colour also vary. The colour of the blooms is from dark-brown through to golden yellow, often turning reddish as the flowers fade. The lip is generally whitish, and veined with violet. Flowering season is winter to spring.
Its habitat in nature is the eastern part of northern Queensland, Australia, many of the islands of the Torres Strait and Papua New Guinea. In particular, it occurs in lowland swampy areas. However, it also occurs in the highlands. In these habitats it grows on rocks, cliffs, and trees, mostly in bright light. It has also been observed growing on rocks on the coast, and receiving the full blast of the salt spray, and full sun.
Syns. Dendrobium undulatum, Callista undulata, and Dendrobium elobatum.
Dendrobium discolor var. discolor forma broomfieldii. Although similar in form to the type variety, the flowers are clear golden-yellow to canary yellow, with white keels on the labellum.
It is distributed throughout the range of the type species. Nevertheless, it is infrequent.
Syns. Dendrobium undulatum, and D. undulatum var. carterae.
Dendrobium discolor var. fimbrilabium. Also similar in form to var. discolor, differing in the flower. The labellum's lateral lobes, as the variety name suggests, are fringed.
This variety is also distributed throughout the range of the type species.
Dendrobium discolor var. fuscum. The body of this variety is also similar to the type variety, the difference being in the flower. For instance, the sepals are broadly lanceolate, with acute tips. The lower ones are mildly sickle-shaped, coloured reddish-brown, and lighter on the edges. Further, the petals are narrowly oblong, and undulating towards the tips. These are darker than the sepals; even so, the margins are light. Lateral lobes on the labellum are incurved.
Although this orchid seems to be always in growth, it will benefit from a short rest in winter. In this season, keep a little drier than the rest of the year. It can tolerate winter temperatures as low as 6° Celsius (43° Fahrenheit). During the hottest months, a high humidity is important. Moreover, high light intensity is essential for flowering. This orchid grows equally well in a pot with an open mixture or an epi-log. Fertilise with a week solution regularly for optimum growth.
Distribution of this variety is throughout the range of the type variety.
Syn. Dendrobium fuscum.
The most important cultivation rules are: fresh air, plenty or water, medium shade and a cool, humid atmosphere. When grown at low altitudes it soon suffers from heat stress and dry winds. Furthermore, regularly provide with a weak fertiliser, and water can be given throughout the year.
In nature, this plant occurs on the highlands from 700 to 1400-metres (2300 to 4600-feet) mostly using the antarctic beech (Nothofagus moorei) as a host. Nevertheless, it also grows on other trees and tree fern trunks. Normally, it is found high in the tree where it gets plenty of light. It appears in northern NSW and southern Queensland, Australia.
Syns. Calista falcorostris, and Tropilis falcorostra.
Try to provide a sheltered, shady position with ample air movement. If grown as an epiphyte, tie tightly to a tree limb where it receives early morning sun, and dappled sunlight for the rest of the day. However, an epi-log can be used, cork, hardwood, or tree fern. Water well in the growing season, but keep just moist in winter. In addition, try to provide a minimum winter temperature of 2° Celsius (35° Fahrenheit). Home for this plant is on rainforest trees, mostly in the ranges, to about 900-metres (2950-feet) above sea level in NSW, Australia. Syns. Dendrobium teretifolium, Callista fairfaxii, and Dockrillia fairfaxii.
Syns. Callista falcorostris, and Tropilis falcorostra.
Many people find this plant hard to grow. It requires a minimum winter temperature of 13° Celsius (55° Fahrenheit). Growing conditions should be cool, moist, and sheltered. In addition, it should never be allowed to completely dry out. After flowering has finished, provide a short rest until new growth appears.
In its natural habitat it grows in open Eucalyptus, and Casuarina forests, from 450 to 1000-metres (1480 to 3280-feet), this is just below the montane rain forest level. However, they still receive a substantial amount of moisture at night. The climate is often hot, and dry during the day, but cool, and moist during the night, with heavy dews, and mists.
Syn. Dendrobium bairdianum, Callista bairdiana, Dendrobium giddinsii, and Sayeria bairdiana.
For successful culture, try to provide high humidity, good light, and plenty of water in the growing season. If growing this epiphyte in pots provide a very open mixture, and let it almost dry out between watering, while never allowing it to become too dry at any time of the year. If it is planted onto an epi-log, it will need watering at least once a day.
Mostly, this plant is confined to forests near the tops of mountains, from 800 to 1550-metres (2600 to 5100-feet) in the Cape York Peninsular, Queensland, Australia.
Syn. Tropilis fleckeri.
Most people find this plant easier to grow in a container. Try to use the smallest pot possible that will allow for two years growth, as it does not like to be over potted. However, it can survive quite well on an epi-log. Also, try to provide a winter minimum of 12° Celsius (54° Fahrenheit), high humidity, and a high light intensity. In addition, provide plenty of water during the growing season, and keep just moist for the rest of the year.
This epiphytic orchid can be found on open forest trees, and mangrove bushes, often on small branches. It can be found on the Torres Strait Islands, Australia, Papua, New Guinea, and Bougainville.
Syns. Dichopus insignis, Dendrobium gazellae, D. lyperanthiflorum, D. obcuneatum, and D. pentactis.
After this species has flowered, it will need its winter rest. Nevertheless it requires good air movement at all times, and a high light intensity. Try to provide a medium humidity, and provide a lot of water during full growth. Most importantly, the winter temperature should not drop below 15° Celsius (60° Fahrenheit). This species can be grown in a pot or epi-log. However, If grown in a pot, it should be very well drained, and repotting should be done as soon as new growth is 5 to 7-centimetres (2 to 3-inches) high. New root growth will have commenced at this time.
Its natural habitats are in eastern Cape York Peninsular, the Torres Strait Islands, Australia, and Papua, New Guinea. They can be found on trees in moderately open forest areas, rainforest margins, and marshy areas.
Syns. Dendrobium undulatum, and Callista johannis.
Provide an open potting medium when growing in pots. It also grows well on hardwood epi-logs. Try to provide a humid atmosphere during the growing season (spring to summer). Water well in the summer, but keep on the dry side in winter. Also, provide plenty of air movement. This species does not like temperatures over 30° Celsius (86° Fahrenheit).
This species grows on trees, and rocks, often in full sun. It can be found from 150 to 1400-metres (500 to 4600-feet). It inhabits northern Queensland, Australia.
Syns. Dendrobium speciosum, D. fusiforme, D. speciosum var. bancroftianum, D. fusiforme var. blackburnii, D. ruppianum, D. ruppianum var. blackburnii, Dendrocoryne speciosum var. fusiforme, and Tropilis ruppiana. Dendrobium kingianum, Mostly this is a terrestrial orchid, rarely an epiphyte.
For the best results plant this orchid on a hardwood epi-log, and give about 50% shade. Further, provide a minimum winter temperature of 6° Celsius (43° Fahrenheit) or a little warmer.
It can be found in open forests, rainforests trees, and on rocks, in the coastal ranges of northern Queensland, Australia.
Syns. Bulbophyllum lichenastrum, and Dockrillia lichenastrum.
This species has three main varieties, and each is listed below.
Dendrobium linguiforme var. linguiforme. Its common name is Thumbnail Orchid or Tongue Orchid. Making this species stand apart from other species is the tough, creeping, and branching rhizome with oval, fleshy leaves that are ribbed longitudinally, and often held tightly to the trunk like stepping pads climbing the tree. These leaves vary greatly in shape, colour, and size. Nevertheless, they are mostly oval. The colour of the leaves may be light green though to dark green with a purple tinge, depending on the quantity of light they obtain. When they are grown in full sun they develop purple blotches. From winter to spring, their inflorescences are borne from the leaf joints. These racemes are approximately 6 to 15-centimetres (2½ to 6-inches) long, and bear up to twenty fragrant, white to cream flowers. Usually, there are about ten flowers that are about 3-centimetres (1¼ inches) across. Compared to the other segments the labellum is short, and marked with purple.
From southeast NSW to northeast Queensland is the natural habitat of this species. In places it stretches 250-killometres (156-miles) inland. Furthermore it can be found on rocks in full sun or trees in shady areas. Normally, the host plants for this species is Casuarina glauca, C. cunninghamiana, Backhousia spec., and Leptospermum spec. Also, they grow from sea level to at least 1100-metres (3600-feet) in altitude.
Syns. Callista linguiformis, and Dockrillia linguiforme.
Dendrobium linguiforme var. huntianum. Similar in form to the type variety, and the flowers are similar to var. nugentii. In mid-winter, they have racemes up to 18-centimetres (7-inches) long, and many flowered. Each bloom is off-white to cream.
Paperbark trees (Melaleuca spec.) are usually the hosts for this variety. They occur in the lowlands of southeast Queensland.
Dendrobium linguiforme var. nugentii. Plant growth is similar to the variety linguiforme. Nevertheless, the leaves are usually larger, and more robust, with more prominent furrows, and a rougher surface. Also, the winter flowers have shorter segments, and the petals are longer than the sepals. Moreover, the side-lobes of the labellum are more often than not heavily marked with red-purple.
Mostly, this variety is found in the highlands of northeast Queensland, Australia, and occasionally in the lowlands.
Dendrobium lobbii. Terrestrial species only.
If an open potting mixture is used, pot culture is quite satisfactory. Also, provide about 50% shade in summer, and no shade in winter. Therefore, if grown as an epiphyte, a deciduous tree is very suitable. Try to keep the plant above 12° Celsius (54° Fahrenheit). Further, try to keep moist all year, but never with wet feet. Half strength fertiliser should be provided for most of the year, with just a small break in the middle of winter when the plant stops growing.
This plant can be found on rocks, and trees mostly in the lowland rainforests, mangrove swamps, and in open areas on rocks, but occasionally at higher altitudes on trees. They are indigenous to northern Queensland, Australia, and Papua New Guinea.
Syn. Grastidium luteocilium.