Dendrobium tetragonum

Also known as: The Rectangular or Tetrabaculum cacatua Tetrabaculum melaleucaphilum Tetrabaculum capitisyork Dendrobium tetragonum ssp. cataractarum Dendrobium tetragonum ssp. giganteum Dendrobium tetragonum var. serpentis Dendrobium tetragonum h.f. album Dendrobium tetragonum ssp. tetragonum Dendrobium tetragonum var. melaleucaphilum Dendrobium tetragonum h.v. tetragonum Tropilis tetragona Dendrobium tetragonum h.v. melaleucaphyllum Dendrobium tetragonum h.v. gigantum Dendrobium tetragonum var. hayesianum Dendrobium tetragonum var. tomentosum Callista tetragona Dendrobium tetragonum var. variabile Dendrobium tetragonum var. giganteum Dendrobium tetragonum var. cacatua Dendrobium cacatua Dendrobium capitisyork Dendrobium melaleucaphilum The Blotched Tree Spider Orchid The Banded Tree Spider Orchid in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

General Information

The Rectangular is a miniature sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic or lithophytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 5-50cm. Each new growth has numerous leathery oblong shaped leaves that grow to 3-10cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 5-50cm. The plant forms pendant or arching growths

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Care Notes

These orchids live in environments that receive constant moisture, high humidity, and are surrounded by other plants such as ferns and mosses which not only attract moisture but compete for it as well.

As a consequence they can be difficult to keep healthy in an artificial environment where a constant balance has to be maintained between providing constant moisture to the roots, but also allowing them to not become soggy and dry quickly as they would in the wild. For this reason it's important to take into account the size of the plant, the health and fragility of the root system, and also think about your watering habits. If you water frequently you can use a media that drains more freely, if you water less reliably you will need to find a media that offers retention and keeps humidity around the roots without being soggy.

Because these orchids like high amounts of water, other plants such as ferns and weeds may start to grow alongside the orchid, whose roots can make the media quite dense, effectively strangling the orchid's roots, it's best to pluck them out before they become a problem. Fungus and bacteria can be an issue as well, but usually are a sign of overwatering, smell the media occasionally to check, and increase airflow, reduce watering, and adjust temperatures accordingly (often bacteria only flourish in warmer temperatures, fungus less so). 

 

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 53mm to 221mm per day, heaviest in September and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 70% to 83%, highest in August and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 5C to 25C, highest in June (17C to 25C) and lowest in January (5C 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.

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

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.