Dendrobium derryi

Also known as: Derry's Dendrobium or Eurycaulis cinereus Eurycaulis groeneveldtii Eurycaulis viriditepalus Eurycaulis boumaniae Dendrobium cinereum Dendrobium groeneveldtii Dendrobium boumaniae Dendrobium viriditepalum in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

General Information

Derry's Dendrobium is a sympodial warm to hot growing orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae. It is named after the English Director of Singapore Botanical Garden 1900.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 20-35cm. Each new growth has numerous leaves that grow to 2.5-10cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 15-25cm

Substrate(s)

• Coarse

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 79mm to 330mm per day, heaviest in November and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 74% to 82%, highest in October and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 16C to 28C, highest in March (17C to 28C) and lowest in January (16C to 26C).

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.

Keep moisture levels up during hot weather as the plant is prone to dehydration

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.