Dendrobium ovatum

Dendrobium ovatum (L.) Kraenzl. 1910

Synonyms: Callista ovata (L.) Kuntze 
Cymbidium ovatum (L.) Willd. 
Dendrobium chlorops Lindl. 
Epidendrum ovatum L

Others: Ovate Dendrobium, Green lipped Dendrobium, infant Jesus orchid

Used in Ayurveda as a antispasmodic, laxative & liver tonic

Distribution & Occurrence:

Endemic to India and found in Western Ghats at elevations of 50 meters to 1500 meters, small sized deciduous epiphyte.

The Plant

Pseudo bulbs are 5-50 cm long that are mauve colored with alternatively arranged elliptic-oblong leaves.

Dend. Ovatum blooms in December to February season with multiple flowered inflorescences that appear from the apex of the stem. Flowers are cream colored with green center. Each flower is about 1.5 cm to 2 cm in size

Flowers once a year

Cultural Requirements and Nutrition

Hot to cool growing, partial shade preferring Dendrobium.  Could be grown on a light medium of charcoal and coco chips.

I am growing this orchid in a semi hydronic setup . I weakly weekly fertilize through out the year. It is growing in a bright location and receives direct early morning sunlight for a couple of hours in a day.

Pest and Diseases

No specific pests or diseases.

Hybrids

Used as a pollen parent for 2 hybrids Barbatulo-Chlorops and White Wings

Dendrobium Ovatum bloom in Jan 2014