Dendrobium hellwigianum

Also known as: Hellwig's Dendrobium {German Botanist in New Guinea late 1800's] or Pedilonum geluanum Dendrobium rhaphiotes Dendrobium cyananthum Dendrobium geluanum Pedilonum rhaphiotes in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

General Information

Hellwig's Dendrobium {German Botanist in New Guinea late 1800's] is a small sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 25cm. Each new growth has numerous thick terete shaped leaves that grow to 2-16cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 1-8cm

Substrate(s)

• Coarse

Care Notes

These orchids like to be watered regulary, especially during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered daily or even many times a day.

These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.

Climate

Grows at high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 51mm to 272mm per day, heaviest in September and lightest in December. Humidity ranges from 67% to 74%, highest in September and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 11C to 23C, highest in April (13C to 23C) and lowest in January (11C to 22C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a constant supply of moisture, with a slight drying out between waterings. Saucers can be placed under pots to retain moisture during hot weather, however the saucers should be removed or let to dry every 1-2 weeks to prevent rot. Keep an eye on the plant especially in hot weather and look for cues of under/overwatering and adjust accordingly.

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.

Potting

These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow. 

Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.

Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,