Dendrobium spectabile

Also known as: The Grand Dendrobium or Sayeria spectabilis Dendrobium spectabile h.f. album Dendrobium spectabile h.f. aureum Latourorchis spectabilis Latourea spectabilis Dendrobium tigrinum Callista spectabilis Dendrobium spectabile f. aurea in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

General Information

The Grand Dendrobium is a medium to large sized sympodial warm to hot growing epiphytic or lithophytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae.

Altitude
0 - 2000 m
0
2500
Size
30 - 122 cm
Miniature
Small
Medium
Large
Extra Large
Giant
Flower Size
7 - 8 cm
Small
Medium
Large
Humidity
74 - 82 %
0
100
Temperature
16 - 30 °C
Cold
Cool
Intermediate
Warm
Hot
Water
40 - 79 %
Keep Dry
Low
Medium
High
Keep Moist
Light
22000 - 38000 lux
Full Shade
Low
Medium
High
Full Sun

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 30-122cm. Each new growth has numerous leathery erect leaves that grow to 15-20cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 30-122cm

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

The orchids are well adapted for hot weather, accompanied by sporadic, unpredictable rainfall and a generally dry climate. They can tolerate a lot of neglect as they are quite used to it, however they can be prone to underwatering and may collapse in cold, wet weather.

For this reason it's best to dedicate a sheltered, protected area for them where the watering can be controlled, such as a corner of a greenhouse or in a sheltered balcony. They can also do well hung near the roof of a shadehouse or sheltered greenhouse where they receive the extra heat but not as much water as other plants. 

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 61mm to 178mm per day, heaviest in September and lightest in November. Humidity ranges from 74% to 82%, highest in January and lowest in June. Temperature ranges from 18C to 32C, highest in May (21C to 32C) and lowest in January (18C to 29C).

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.

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,

This plant does well mounted to Cork slabs.

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