Dendrobium tetragonum var. giganteum

[Posey]

Dendrobium tetragonum is native to Australia. There are four varieties of this epiphytic species. They are all small to medium sized plants characterized by their neat 4 angled stems/canes. Dendrobium tetragonum var. giganteum is native to North Queensland and the Cape York Peninsula where it is found at sea level to 700 m. It requires slightly warmer growing conditions than the other varieties. The flowers of giganteum are the largest in the section measuring up to 17 cm, but more typically around 10 cm. Canes/stems may grow up to 50 cm.

The longest cane on this first bloom young dude is 19 cm and the flowers are only about 12 cm. Normally, the flowers should be heavily spotted with dark red but this particular plant lacks that characteristic . It is mounted on a small diameter length of grape vine and the spikes grew after a dry winter rest with increased light, as would be expected in deciduous forests. There are multiple spikes and buds/flowers on this plant. I'm posting it now cause I'm trying to see if I can actually get a picture to show up in my thread. LOL. Will post more pictures when it is in full bloom. Maybe the other flowers will be bigger.



It worked

[cb977]

Wonderful!
Tetragonum is one of my favorites! I have one of the smaller varieties...and so does shakkai, who is doing a phenomenal job of growing hers!
I recently picked up the giganteum variety but it hasn't bloomed yet for me.

Do you winter rest yours?

[Posey]

Yeeh, I gave it a dry winter rest with more light but it sure didn't take it very long to start thowing spikes out. I think the shape of the canes is soooooooooo cool. The neat flowers look kinda bulbophyllum-ish to me.

Thanks for looking and the compliment.

[quiltergal]

Very nice! I may have to look into getting one of these!

[smweaver]

Very cool flower. Looking forward to seeing the whole bunch when it's in bloom.

[shakkai]

Wow - that's gorgeous! The flowers on mine are just starting to open up... much smaller than the var. giganteum. Your young plant is going to grow into a real stunner! Congrats!

[Posey]

Thanks folks!!! It just started to grow well last summer when I mounted it,,,it used to be in a little pot and just plugged along. I think they prefer to be mounted,,,look better that way to me too.

[shakkai]

I agree totally! Mine seems to really appreciate being mounted too. I love the way the buds on yours twist before they open - that is SO cool!

[Posey]

Thanks. I forgot to add that the mounting was apprarently only part of what perked it up, since that in itself didn't help this suffering little bundle. They, at least the variation I have, like to stay kinda moist when they are growing. After I added a little dried green moss near the roots is when it really took off. Guess that is cause they prefer humid ravines and gullies in their natural habitat.

[linda_shel]

That really is a gorgeous picture and flower.