Dendrobium formosum

Dendrobium formosum Roxb. var gigantea

Introduction

Synonyms: The Beautiful Giant-Flowered Dendrobium, Handsome Flowered Dendrobium

Distribution & Occurrence:

Eastern Himalayas, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam

The Plant

Medium sized,

Flowers occur in fall to spring in short raceme with 1-4 fragrant flowers that arise from the nodes near apex of the leafed mature cane. Canes are covered with thin black hairs on them and hence belonged to section nigrohiruste aka formosum.

Flowers once year during early or late fall and flower lasts a few weeks

Cultural Requirements and Nutrition

Requires higher light and can tolerate full sun. D.formosum is ever green and do not require a long winter rest to initiate blooms. Water and fertilization should be withheld for a short period 2-3 weeks and should begin to water and fertilize as soon as new growth is observed.

Prefers to be mounted or could be potted in a free draining medium and benefit from under potting than over potting. likes to get dry between watering

Pest and Diseases

General pests of Dendrobium applicable

Hybrids

Extensively used as pollen as well as seed parent due to the size of the bloom

Bloomed in July 2014