Dendrobium primulinum(?)

[theloyalplum]

Hi guys! Really quick! I got a D. loddigesii last May... or so I thought. It's obviously not because it went completely dormant and it's not vine-like in growth. I'm thinking it's a D. primulinum, but I need expert opinions! -ahem-



Yes? No? It has long, think canes and there are more buds forming, so... yay? I still need me a loddigesii...

[estación seca]

I don't know, but it's beautiful. The loddigesii I've seen (mine) are much smaller plants, with canes more like earthworms crawling across the mount. They root and sprout new growths from many nodes. Primulinum is more of a hanging cane plant.

[voyager]

Just from the flower, it might be any of a number of Dendrobium section Dendrobiums. If a D. loddigesii the lip is usually heavily fringed, where the edge of D. primulinum's lip is more "fuzzy".

But, would need to see the entire plant.
D. loddigesii generally grows as a mat of short [just a few inches in length] intertwined PBs as epiphytes or lithophytes.

D. primulinum's flowers are generally paler, almost a pastel type of coloring and the lip and petals have a crystalline look to them. The PBs are larger than D. loddigesii and are pendant.
The nodes where the flower buds form are usually recessed and covered with a thin skin [the dried leaf sheath] until the buds begin to form. Then, they emerge from the recessed area, push through the dried leaf sheath and then develop like a normal pendant Dendrobium.
That may not make much sense to you if your not familiar with the plant.

I have one that is ready to begin forming buds soon.
If I get a chance tomorrow, I'll get a photo of it and post it here so that you can see what I mean by pendant and the recessed spots at the nodes where the buds emerge from.

EDIT:
Just remembered that I had some old pics from my Alaska collection.
D. loddigesii


D. primulinum


I'll still try for a pic tomorrow to show the nodes.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Cute flowers on them.

[theloyalplum]

Thanks guys! I realised afterwards that a picture of the plant would've been more helpful. Forgive me!

I also waited for better lighting.



@voyager I definitely see the pendant growth and papery sheaths going on, but that may just be my confirmation bias!

[voyager]

Little doubt in my mind that it is a D. primulinum.
They are fragrant.
But, it isn't my favorite odor.
In fact, I almost dislike their fragrance.
I don't remember exactly what it smelled like.
The term "rancid" comes to mind.
I would still keep sticking my nose it, hoping it would get better.
It never did!
I still enjoyed the look of the flowers, quite pretty.
I liked the way the white area of the lip seemed to have a grainy, crystalline look to it.

The one I have now, I bought at out monthly community yard sale over a year ago.
It had one flower on it.
I said, "Oh, a Den. primulinum."
He yelled back over his shoulder at his sale partner, "He knows what it is!"

I snagged it for $5.

[theloyalplum]

Originally Posted by voyager

Little doubt in my mind that it is a D. primulinum.
They are fragrant.
But, it isn't my favorite odor.
In fact, I almost dislike their fragrance.
I don't remember exactly what it smelled like.
The term "rancid" comes to mind.
I would still keep sticking my nose it, hoping it would get better.
It never did!
I still enjoyed the look of the flowers, quite pretty.
I liked the way the white area of the lip seemed to have a grainy, crystalline look to it.

The one I have now, I bought at out monthly community yard sale over a year ago.
It had one flower on it.
I said, "Oh, a Den. primulinum."
He yelled back over his shoulder at his sale partner, "He knows what it is!"

I snagged it for $5.

I wish my yard sales had orchids... :'(

Thank you! Mine isn't fragrant, or I just haven't noticed it yet. I'll enjoy the flowers anyways, and it grows pretty easy, so I'm not too worried about ignoring it!

[voyager]

Better late than never, I suppose.
Here is the photo of the D.primulinum's nodes.

The buds emerge from those spear-point shaped depressions at each node.

[DeaC]

Great fotos guys and very helpful. My luck with any Den. sucks but a loddigesii I have is budding and will be my first success...unless I've now jinxed it.

[voyager]

Just noticed my D. primulinum again.
The depressions at the nodes have begun to swell.
The buds have begun to form.
Baring anything unforeseen, there will be flower pics when they're ready.

I acquired 3 separate D. loddigesii last year.
I mounted and remounted them a few times changing my mind as to how I wanted them.
They are now [and have been for a while] mounted together as one group [probably a bit more than a sqft in area] on one of the driveway palms.
I thought they might be dieing out.
But, they are finally beginning to put out new growths now.
They have not bloomed yet and may not because of the abuse,and maybe I do not have the conditions they want. I'll know in the near future or next year.