Dendrobium insigne

[skirincich]

Has anybody seen dendrobium insigne for sale? Very cool flower.

Thanks,
Steve

[Roberta]

When I'm looking for species, the first place I usually check is Andy's Orchids. I didn't see it on the website, but that doesn't mean anything, less than 20% of the species that he has are listed. So well worth sending an email and asking.

[skirincich]

Thanks Roberta!

I recently purchased cattleya xanthina and dendrobium johnsoniae from Andy's after doing a lot of hunting. I can attest to the fact that he has more than is listed on the website.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by skirincich

Thanks Roberta!

I recently purchased cattleya xanthina and dendrobium johnsoniae from Andy's after doing a lot of hunting. I can attest to the fact that he has more than is listed on the website.

What always amazes me is that Andy not only knows WHAT he has, but also knows WHERE among the quarter of a million or so plants that he has, three or four levels deep in multiple greenhouses and shadehouses. Pretty much, it's all in his head, not so much the computer. The nursery is a truly amazing place.

[skirincich]

I spoke to Andy at the Massachusetts Orchid Society show a few weeks ago, and I told him my tale of woe trying to find Dendrobium johnsoniae. No luck with H&R, and an Australian source had some but could not process the phytosanitary certificate but could provide seed. Andy seemed pretty sure he had this plant, and one arrived last week. Now that the plant is here, I think I am destined to have more johnsoniae flasks than I can handle.

[skirincich]

I found a flask of dendrobium insigne from a dealer in Thailand, but one description of cultural requirements mentioned 80-90% humidity. Maybe I should take this more seriously?

[Roberta]

Well, the habitat is humid - at the edge of mangrove swamps, at or near sea level. The Baker culture sheet in Orchidwiz indicates that humidity is 80% all year around, possibly slightly drier for a month or two in winter but it rains most of the time. IOSPE says that it prefers some direct sunlight (though with all that rain, I'm guessing that cloud cover takes the edge off) and can tolerate some drought. But basically, where it comes from is mostly hot and wet. (I had not been familiar with it, it's gorgeous!) So meeting its requirements - hot, wet, high light - might be a challenge.