Dendrobium aphyllum - Orchid Board

Bud · #1 03-15-2012, 12:15 AM

This was given to me by Glen.
Imagine my excitement when last fall this arrived in the mail full and lush with light green leaves and the roots well established on its mount.
As I researched about this Dendrobium species, it is originally found in both equatorial and temperate part of the globe; India, China, the Himalayas to Burma, Thailand, and the Malaysian peninsula. This is also under the botanical synonym of Dendrobium pierardii. These plants, which have pendant canes (pseudobulbs), are easily grown in baskets or mounted. In the start of the colder months the leaves fall and the plant enjoys a rest, where water is lessened gradually then by December 15, do not water it unless you see that the canes are too shriveled…I hanged it by the brightest part of my southern facing bay window and just left it alone...this spring, the buds appeared from the fallen leaf points. It gave me a show of magnificent blooms. As some of the flowers faded, new growth began to sprout at the base of the previous year’s growth. I read that the leafless canes often rebloom for several years, so don’t cut it. Well grown plants can reach 3 to 4 feet in cane lengths. Enjoys bright shade, well drained loose media, such as medium coconut chips, charcoal, lava rock and hydroton which maintain good humidity levels while allowing excellent air movement through the medium or just as I have inherited this: its mounted. Frequent feeding, with non urea fertilizer, produces very large plants quickly.
I will be forever grateful to Glen for giving me this wonderful experience of caring for this plant. And fragrant at that !