Dendrobium pachyphyllum

Also known as: The Broad or Polystachya pumila Dendrobium pumilum Dendrobium carnosum Dendrobium pisibulbum Callista pachyphylla Callista pusilla Desmotrichum pusillum Callista pumila Desmotrichum pumilum Dendrobium perpusillum Dendrobium borneense Ceraia pachyphylla Dendrobium striatellum Flickingeria pumila in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: India Thailand

General Information

The Broad is a miniature sympodial warm to hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to India and Thailand.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 4-10cm. Each new growth has numerous thick oblong shaped leaves. Pseudobulbs grow to 1-8cm. The plant tends to climb or sprawl with each new growth

Flowers

Numerous fragrant, self pollinating blossoms appear

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

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.

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 20mm to 836mm per day, heaviest in July and lightest in December. Humidity ranges from 73% to 94%, highest in August and lowest in January. Temperature ranges from 21C to 33C, highest in April (24C to 33C) and lowest in January (21C to 29C).

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.

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,

Repotting is best done in a pot the same size or only slightly larger than the previous one.