Dendrobium salaccense

Also known as: The Salakka Dendrobium {town in Sumatra Indonesia] in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Hainan - China Thailand

General Information

The Salakka Dendrobium {town in Sumatra Indonesia] is a sympodial warm to hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to China and Thailand.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 30-100cm. Each new growth has numerous rigid leaves that grow to 8-13cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 2-60cm. The plant forms pendant or arching growths

Care Notes

These orchids have a fine root system that can quickly die back if left dry for too long, but also does not like to be kept wet, so water regularly but ensure that the mix is dry before watering. 

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 30mm to 363mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 72% to 83%, highest in September and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 21C to 30C, highest in March (22C to 30C) and lowest in January (21C to 27C).

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.

Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.

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,