Dendrobium helix

The Jacksonville Orchid Society's orchid show was this weekend and I found a few new plants to add to my collection. This is an antelope style dendrobium from the section Spatulata. A species that is very hard to find and that have a few different varieties out there, but I was very please with this color and the form of the flower. Flowering at any time of the year, in hot to medium climates, this plant should do very well in N.E. Florida's weather. As always, it does need to go into the GH during winter and not be exposed to temperatures lower than 55'F.

A large to giant sized, hot growing epiphyte from New Guinea on exposed branches of lowland coastal forest trees at elevations of sea level to 150 meters with clustered, swollen basally, tapering apically, yellow orange stems carrying many, elliptic to ovate-elliptic leaves that diminish in size towards the apex and blooms at most any time of the year on a to 20" [50 cm] long, erect, ascending or horizontal racemose, axillary, laxly, many [15 to 20] flowered inflorescence with nodding, stiff, fleshy flowers, that arises from the leaf sheaths at the apex of the upper leaf nodes of mature leafed canes. In the winter months water and fertilizer can be slightly reduced allowing the plant to dry out between waterings and should be resumed when new growth is initiated. (Per IOSPE website. www.orchidspecies.com)

Den. Lorrie Mortimer

Den. Lorrie Mortimer is a cross that originates from Hawaii named after a Professor at UH. This is a cross between Den. Caesar x Den. Samarai. The flowers are very thick and should last for a long time. I have this plant in a clay pot with my special mix. The plant will eventually grow tall, about 3-4 feet and bloom 1-2 times a year lasting 2-3 months. Grow in 30%-50% shade and it will grow fine.

Den. aggregatum

As most of you know probably, I LOVE DENDROBIUMS. There are so many different forms and sections in this genus alone. I originally bought this plant as a 'better gro' plant in a bag a couple years ago and this is the first time it has bloomed. This species is now named Den. jenkinsii and originates from China, Eastern Himalayas, and Napal. My plant is growing in bark, which I plan to re-pot into my special mix next, and a clay pot. Most people do say to give this species a 'winter rest', however, I do not. I simply cut back on watering every 7 days during the colder months. Have questions? Leave a reply below.