Vappodes lithocola

[Bud]

Vappodes lithocola
Previously known as either Dendrobium bigibbum var. compactum, Dwarf Butterfly Orchid, Cooktown Orchid or Dendrobium lithocola.
According to the environment.gov.au:
“The Vappodes genus has recently been separated from Dendrobium (Clements & Jones, 2002). This name change is followed in Jones (2006) and Jones & Clements (2008). Dendrobium lithocola is considered to be a synonym of Vappodes lithocola in the Australian Plant Census (CHAH, 2008).
This orchid is endemic to north-eastern Queensland on the coastal ranges between Daintree and Cairns at altitudes of 300-800 m. Dendrobium lithocola is listed as endangered. This species is eligible for listing as endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth) (EPBC Act) as, prior to the commencement of the EPBC Act, it was listed as endangered under Schedule 1 of the Endangered Species Protection Act 1992 (Cwlth). The species is also listed as endangered under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Queensland). “
This orchid is mostly found thriving on coastal ranges and mountains growing on rocks, boulders and cliff faces on ridges and slopes. The plants in situ are often exposed to full sun and can withstand long periods of hot dry conditions during which they completely lose their leaves. Since my plant is grown indoors and mounted: it did not lose its leaves nor experienced winter rest; instead it was pampered with humidifiers, heaters, fans and sprayers with the full south facing shaded sunlight of my bay window. I will not force to give it winter rest; if it doesn’t lose its leaves then I will continue watering and fertilizer… in summer with a weakly weekly Algoflash alternated with seaweed mix and worm tea mix and got half this amount in winter. This orchid blooms from March to July.

[msaar]

Before anyone changes their label, Kew has not accepted this change, and, agree or not, until Kew accepts Vappodes, no hybrid names will be changed, and no Vappodes will be awarded as such in the US or UK.

[Bud]

Thanks for the infos...

Since I am in the USA and not in Australia where this flower is originally from I will call this:

Dendrobium bigibbum var. compactum

[WhiteRabbit]

whatever name you use, it's lovely

[Bud]

Thank You, Sonya ! this has the original tag: Dendrobium bigibbum var. compactum

but as I looked online for infos about this plant: I found out that the government of Australia called this Vappodes...well if the government of a country where this originally comes from and is their national flower ...I would beleive that government.
Thats why I used the name they chose.
But I am not asking anyone to follow me...I have no claim to fame neither do I intend to show my orchid for a ribbon ...and gain awards...
I have no intention to be a KEW or AOS or RHS...so its their society/organization not mine...Id still beleive in a legitimacy of a government than merely an organization or a club.

[Baz in Oz]

Bud, I would suggest you reduce watering during the dormant period (winter) as, along with a lot of hard cane Dens., you run the risk of rotting the dormant eye which means no new growth come summer.
I have been there......
We have dry winters in this part of the world.

Baz

[Bud]

Thanks, Baz...I will follow your advice: but since it is already late winter and its going towards early spring...when do I do my winter rest? after the blooms are gone? I can stop watering then...

[WhiteRabbit]

I had read the same regarding the name, but due to conversation here have returned to the name bigibbum v compactum.

Mine is also mounted, and it gets watered regularly year round, tho not the drenching daily it gets in summer, but I do at least spritz roots well most days, unless weather is very cool and damp, haven't had any trouble with rot. There isn't much moss on mine, tho a bit of a moss pad at the base of the plant, the rest is just the wood. Mine doesn't really seem to go dormant ? - blooms in fall, starts new growth mid - winter. This year it also started some new growth along with the spikes, and that's been growing all winter. So, just my experience regarding care in winter.

Winter's done for this year at any rate - if a bit of winter water rest is necessary, I would think that would pertain next winter.

[Baz in Oz]

Bud, you should shortly be coming into your grow season = food/water. If the plant's eyes haven't shrunken in you probably will be OK.
Our seasons are a-about face from yours and our hard cane Dens are in grow/flower mode.
BTW, I love your flowers - your plant culture can't be all that bad if you can produce flowers like those.

Baz

[Bud]

Thank You Very much, Sonya ! It shed leaves last October but not all of it. That was when I decided to stop fertilizer and minimize watering to just spraying it in the mornings...but then it grew robust canes and last month it spiked, so I continued to water it and fertilizer...so I guess youre right I will wait til next winter to give it rest.

@Baz...you are right...we have opposite winters and summers...you have winter in our July(very hot summer in Manhattan)..I will follow the instincts of this plant and give it winter rest when it needs it...