Dendrobium aduncum

Received: 2024-08-01

Section: Breviflores

General: It is a medium-sized, hot to cool growing epiphytic species which reaches 50-100cm in height with pendulous, terete, fractiflex, branching canes enveloped by sheaths and carrying 4 to 6, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, 7-10.5 x 1-3.5cm leaves

Light: Plenty of light (25000-50000 lux, better in bright, diffused light) but not direct sun except in the early morning. The light level should be as high as possible, which the plant can tolerate without scalding the leaves

Temperature: The average temperature of the summer day is 24-25℃, night 20℃, giving a daily difference of 4-5℃. In winter the average day temperature is 11-14℃, night 7-10℃, giving a daily difference of 4-5℃.

Humidity: From summer to autumn, needs humidity of 80-85%, but for most of the remaining period it drops to 60-70%. Too dry air has a negative effect on the development of the plant: its growth is inhibited, and the leaves begin to turn yellow and dry out. The higher temperature, the higher the humidity should be, and the higher the humidity, the more often and longer it is necessary to ventilate the room where the plants are contained, otherwise the probability of rotting and various kinds of fungal diseases is high

Watering: Requires heavy watering until well into autumn, the plants then being allowed to dry out for the winter, except for a soaking about once in four to six weeks. Watering is directly dependent on the temperature of the content, the higher it is, the more often it needs to be watered. When watering, excess water should flow freely from the pot, since stagnation of water both inside the pot and in its pan can very quickly lead to rotting of the roots and the lower part of the plant

Fertilisation: It is recommended to use a 1/4-1/2 dose of Orchid fertiliser weekly. You can use a balanced fertiliser throughout the year or from spring to mid-summer use high-nitrogen fertiliser, and then until the end of autumn high-phosphoric fertiliser to stimulate flowering

Rest period: Has a short 3 to 4 week rest period in winter. Needs less water in this period, especially if grown under the conditions of a dark, short day that occurs at moderate latitudes. They should dry somewhat between waterings, but they should not be dry for a longer period. Frequent morning fogging and rare, economical watering should allow the plant to go through a dry period of rest, while providing it with sufficient humidity. Fertilisation should be reduced or eliminated until new growths appear and a more abundant spring watering begins

Blooming: Blooms on an axillary, 7cm long, zig-zag, racemose inflorescence arising from the leafless nodes at the apex of older leafless canes occurring in the spring through autumn with 2 to 5, long-lasting, fragrant flowers. The flowers are spreading; sepals and petals pale pink, lip white, callus green, column white, anther cap deep purple