Dendrobium schoeninum

Also known as: Pencil Orchid or Dockrillia beckleri Callista beckleri Dendrobium beckleri Dockrillia schoenina Rat Tail Orchid (Australia) in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

General Information

Pencil Orchid is a sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic or lithophytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 91cm. Each new growth has numerous erect terete shaped leaves that grow to 2-16cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 91cm. The plant tends to climb or sprawl with each new growth and forms pendant or arching growths

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear during Winter and Spring

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Blooming Season

• Spring
• Winter

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Bark

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 elevations. Rainfall ranges from 48mm to 163mm per day, heaviest in July and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 57% to 66%, highest in September and lowest in April. Temperature ranges from 7C to 27C, highest in June (18C to 27C) and lowest in January (7C to 17C).

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

These orchids do not need to be regularly fertilised and roots may be sensitive to salt build-up, dying back and therefore impairing the plants growth or even killing it.

If fertilising, use half to quarter of the recommended amount of fertiliser. If they receive fertiliser as part of a collection, be sure to flush out the pots regularly with fresh water and monitor the roots by checking how much resistance is given by the plant when nudged in its pot or mount. If the plant becomes wobbly or loose, repot in fresh mix or rinse the media/mount thoroughly and do not fertilise for at least 3 months.

Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. This plant is sensitive so apply fertiliser sparingly at one quarter recommended strength or less. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.

Potting

Due to the growth nature of these plants they are best mounted onto cork, tree fern slabs, or even trees if the climate suits. Water regularly especially in hot weather.

This plant does well mounted to Cork slabs.