Australia Dendrobium speciosum

[SaraJean]

Lovely looking bunch you have there!

[kg5]

This was my last years purchase from Australian Orchid Nursery. They are no longer for sale. So we will see if it comes back into their stock list of D. speciosum. The image of this plant is on the 1st page as an example of growth after 12 months.

Carnavon Gorge is an oasis in the desert country (bull dust country) in outback Queensland Australia. It is a very beautiful place.

The D. Carnavon Gorge speciosum is a protected plant. So by crossing this plant makes it cheaper and easier to get a hold of something of this plant for the collector.

[kg5]

So I just purchased this lot from Australian Orchid Nursery again. Must admit the extra size is like a large discount for me.

Dendrobium speciosum grandiflorum 'Katrina' x grandiflorum 'Mount Larcom Gold' 50mm extra large.

They have arrived freshly re-potted into 5" or 125mm pots. There size is about 2 to 3 x the normal 50mm or 2" pots.

Real like this plant nursery. The more I do business with them the more I like them.

[Ray]

When I had a greenhouse freeze in January 1994, a friend gave me a Den. speciosum in a 1.5" pot as part of a "rebuild the collection" gift. I am not a huge fan of dendrobiums, so it was more or less neglected, getting only whatever care it's neighbors on the bench got, or it absolutely demanded, such as repotting "every few years".

14 years later, in a 16" basket, it bloomed and was identified as v. hillii. Canes were about 18"-20" tall, topped with 9" leaves, and the spikes added another 24".

I have since given it away, it has been divided a couple of times, and is a good 33% larger. It has never "died back" in that 24-year time span.

[Dollythehun]

You are, I assume reselling these many plants? Frankly, the size makes me very nervous. I see an ultimate re-homing.

[kg5]

We are not selling any of the Dendrobium speciosum. They will be all attached to the large posts that holds up a shade roof over the large garden area. This area without the shade roof is like a desert spot on our house block. In mid summer even the weeds die in this position.

One type of Dendrobium speciosum per post. Maybe divisions will be sold but I will most probably not be around to see that happen.

[kg5]

That is amazing Ray.

I have since given it away, it has been divided a couple of times, and is a good 33% larger. It has never "died back" in that 24-year time span.

Just to get this right Ray.

You do not get any old bulbs that shrivel up and no longer produce leaves or flower spikes that become in numbers as the orchid grows?

[kg5]

Some more images of growth over 12 months & 18 months.

Recent purchase Dendrobium speciosum in 2" or 50mm pot.



Recent purchase Dendrobium speciosum extra large. Sold as a 2" or 50mm pot.



Image of Dendrobium speciosum repotted 12 month old from a 2" or 50mm pot.



Soft cane Dendrobium 18 month from a flask.



Hard cane Dendrobium 18 month from a flask.

[kg5]

Have been looking at Australian Orchid Nursery again.

D. speciosum kalpower gold x the king in a 300mm or 12" pot.

Pot plus orchid is 800mm or 31 1/2" height with 10 canes.



D. speciosum grand kalpower x goldimoon cerberus in a 200mm or 8"pot.

Pot plus orchid 650mm or 25 1/2" height with 10 canes.



D. speciosum Not a clear description but says: lychiton content x 2 different uncs x botanical gardens canberra in a 200mm or 8" pot.

Pot plus orchid 450mm or 18" height with 18 canes.

[kg5]

Put those 3 large new orchids outside yesterday afternoon and they have had about 3" or 75mm of even type rain over the last 24hrs with a temp around 25c or 75f.

Looks like they got a big welcome to your new home from our weather here.