Dendrobium Orchid

Although there are many different species of orchids, none are as diverse as the Dendrobium Orchid. There are an estimated 1200-1600 varieties of this single genus. None have such diversity in the range of habitats they can be found in. They are found thriving in the Himalayan mountains, the lowland tropical forests and the Australian desert.

Some Dendrobium orchids mimic another popular variety, the Phalaenopsis because the flowers look similar. The difference is that the Phalaenopsis varieties are evergreen and the Dendrobium Orchid leaves fall off in the fall and winter. The stems are quite strong and the distinct colors make them very popular in cut flower arrangements.

This species of orchid has been found to have many medicinal qualities. It is commonly used in Chinese medicine as one of the fifty fundamental herbs. It has also been found to remove harmful chemicals such as xylene and toluene from the air.

When growing Dendrobium Orchids, most of their care differs from other orchid species. One of the things that make this variety different are that these orchids love light. They can handle up to 50 percent light. Natural light is best but you can use incandescent bulbs if necessary.

Unlike some orchids that can handle a variance of 20 degrees between day and night temperature, the ideal zone is between 50 and 90 degrees with a variant of no more than 10 degrees between night and day.

Humidity is a major factor in the success of this type of orchid as well. Humidity levels should be about 50 to 60 percent. You can pick up gauges that monitor humidity level in your pet store located in the reptile supplies. You can mist the leaves and stalks with a water bottle as long as you check to ensure you don’t over water and cause mold to grow.

Unlike other orchids who like to be re-potted frequently, orchid should only be re-potted once every three years. This ensures that the plant roots have sufficient time to grow undisturbed.

It has been reported that some blooms have lasted up to ten months. Although this may not always be the case, Dendrobium Orchids are one of the most popular in bouquet arrangements and can bring beauty into your home.