Dendrobium normanbyense culture?

[The Mutant]

So, I've finally, FINALLY gotten my first and only Dend. I've searched high and low for this baby, and then, some nice people on a Swedish orchid forum, PM:ed me that they though Elsner had gotten it in stock again. She had, and I ordered it immediately and got this little one (BS) home.

Here it is, Dedrobium normanbyense:


So... How do I care for it? I've searched the web for information about culture for this particular species, and it's very hard to find. I've found some information on its big brother, atroviolaceum, but the info is contradictory at best, and it doesn't seem to be quite the same for this little one or it is, and again the information has been contradictory... I know it's a Latouria Dend, but that's all I know.

Here's how I think I should care for it:
Cattleya light levels
Intermediate to warm temperatures
High humidity
Never let it dry out between waterings
No winter rest

So, correct or not?

[WhiteRabbit]

Sounds right to me. Doesn't need a ton of light. I grow mine (and other Latourias) in partially shaded west facing windows.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

This is gorgeous Dendro. I am done for this year, but it is on my list for next year after I saw it just now. I found that this used to be Den. Atroviolaceum Pygmy prior to be considered it's own species.
Dendrobium atroviolaceum: Found in New Guinea and some surrounding islands, at an elevation of 300-750 meters as a medium sized, hot to warm growing epiphyte on large tree trunks in rainforests and as such their conditions should be the same all year. This orchid has a clavately-fusiform, deeply sulcate, geenish when young, brownish with age stems carrying 2 to 4 apical, ovate-oblong, thick, coriaceous, obtusely obtuse apically, dark green above and paler below leaves. Frequent waterings and fertilizer will insure blooming in mid-winter through early summer with a short to 8" [to 20 cm], axillary raceme arising from just below or at the apex of new or older canes which carries 8 to many fragrant, heavy textured, very long lasting, nodding flowers. Plants should have a drier winter although never alowed to dry out completely, with less fertilizer until the new growths arise in the spring

[The Mutant]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Sounds right to me. Doesn't need a ton of light. I grow mine (and other Latourias) in partially shaded west facing windows.

Alright, I'll keep it close to the T5 I have, but not directly under it and see how it fares. Thank you.

Originally Posted by TOMMYMIAMI

This is gorgeous Dendro. I am done for this year, but it is on my list for next year after I saw it just now. I found that this used to be Den. Atroviolaceum Pygmy prior to be considered it's own species.
Dendrobium atroviolaceum: Found in New Guinea and some surrounding islands, at an elevation of 300-750 meters as a medium sized, hot to warm growing epiphyte on large tree trunks in rainforests and as such their conditions should be the same all year. This orchid has a clavately-fusiform, deeply sulcate, geenish when young, brownish with age stems carrying 2 to 4 apical, ovate-oblong, thick, coriaceous, obtusely obtuse apically, dark green above and paler below leaves. Frequent waterings and fertilizer will insure blooming in mid-winter through early summer with a short to 8" [to 20 cm], axillary raceme arising from just below or at the apex of new or older canes which carries 8 to many fragrant, heavy textured, very long lasting, nodding flowers. Plants should have a drier winter although never alowed to dry out completely, with less fertilizer until the new growths arise in the spring

It's a very special Dend. and this one and its big brother are the only ones I've wanted to have, and since the atroviolaceum can get pretty big, I wanted the small one instead.

Yup, I think it achieved species status not that long ago, which is why it's so darned hard to find info about it. I'm so glad to finally have one (it's hard to get here in Europe) and it's a fast little grower too. I think the new cane has at least doubled or even tripled, in size since I got it tree weeks ago.

Thanks for the information!

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Very welcome, it has very interesting and beautiful flowers, plus it does not need winter rest and it is hot growing, so all this just screams Florida,. I did it again, even I said I won;t order any more orchids, except the mini's for my hygrolon cylinder, when I went to my favorite page for minis, they DID have this dendro, and since it should be a piece of cake to grow it outside in Florida, I got it. At least I can scratch it off the list:-)

[The Mutant]

Originally Posted by TOMMYMIAMI

Very welcome, it has very interesting and beautiful flowers, plus it does not need winter rest and it is hot growing, so all this just screams Florida,. I did it again, even I said I won;t order any more orchids, except the mini's for my hygrolon cylinder, when I went to my favorite page for minis, they DID have this dendro, and since it should be a piece of cake to grow it outside in Florida, I got it. At least I can scratch it off the list:-)

Plus it won't get that big. Perfect in other words.

The fact that it doesn't need winter rest is a huge plus, and since I'm a windowsill grower, I think it'll do well with my indoors temperatures (I have humidifiers, so at least the air shouldn't get too dry during winter).

Let's see which one of us can get their normanbyense to flower first.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Ok, lets share the pics once they bloom:-)

[The Mutant]

Iiiiiiiiih! It's spiking! Weeeeeeh! I thought I would have to wait for at least a year until it had established itself properly, but it seems it won't have any truck with that.

I know I can't take any credit for the spike, since I haven't had it for that long, but I'm still so happy!

[WhiteRabbit]

Awesome!

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by The Mutant

Iiiiiiiiih! It's spiking! Weeeeeeh! I thought I would have to wait for at least a year until it had established itself properly, but it seems it won't have any truck with that.

I know I can't take any credit for the spike, since I haven't had it for that long, but I'm still so happy!

AWESOME!!!! so you'll be the first one with pictures of the blooms! Can't wait! REALLY AWESOME!!!