Dendrobium villosulum

Also known as: The Shaggy Dendrobium or Dendrobium melanochlamys Callista villosula Conostalix villosula in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Singapore

General Information

The Shaggy Dendrobium is a sympodial orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Singapore. The name refers to the leaf sheaths.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 60-100cm. Each new growth has numerous rigid lance shaped leaves that grow to 5cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 1-100cm

Substrate(s)

• Coarse

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 79mm to 330mm per day, heaviest in November and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 74% to 82%, highest in October and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 16C to 28C, highest in March (17C to 28C) and lowest in January (16C to 26C).

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.

Keep moisture levels up during hot weather as the plant is prone to dehydration

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.