Dendrobium aphanochilum

Also known as: The Insignificant Lipped Dendrobium or Dendrobium aphanochilum h.f. album in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

General Information

The Insignificant Lipped Dendrobium is a sympodial cool to warm growing orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 30cm. Each new growth has numerous lance shaped leaves that grow to 6-8cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 30cm

Substrate(s)

• Coarse

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 114mm to 638mm per day, heaviest in December and lightest in May. Humidity ranges from 77% to 84%, highest in December and lowest in August. Temperature ranges from 16C to 24C, highest in May (17C to 24C) and lowest in January (16C to 20C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a wet-dry cycle between waterings, they should be watered frequently but only when the moisture is approaching dryness, where the pot feels light and/or the media looks dry. Keep an eye on mounted orchids in warm weather as they may dehydrate quickly.

Fertiliser

Apply liquid based fertiliser per recommended directions. They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, followed by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears, and a balanced fertiliser in other times. These orchids can also tolerate slow release fertiliser applied 1-2 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

Use balanced fertiliser year round. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round.

Potting

This plant does well mounted. Repotting is best done annually.