Dendrobium transparens

Dendrobium transparens Wall. 1828 SECTION Dendrobium

Common Name: The Translucent Dendrobium

Extracts of this plant are used in Geriatric Diseases & Disorders in Indian Traditional Healing

Distribution & Occurrence:

Medium to large sized, warm to cool growing epiphyte found in western Himalayas to Myanmar in dense forests at elevation of 500 to 2100 meters

The Plant

Medium to large size pendulous growing canes that are deciduous in winter

Flowers once a year in spring with short lived flowers

Cultural Requirements and Nutrition

Requires a winter dormancy to initiate spikes. Water and fertilize during summer and withhold water and fertilization in winter and only occasional misting of water

Prefers to be mounted to support pendulous growth habit

Pest and Diseases

No specific pests or disease.

Bloomed in March 2015

One more plant blooming in 3rd Week of March

Chiloschista parishii

Chiloschista parishii Seidenf. 1988

Common Name: Parish's Chiloschista [English Orchid Collector in Burma 1800's]

Distribution & Occurrence:

Himalyas to Vietnam in semi deciduous to deciduous forest @sea level to 700 meters

The Plant

Miniature sized leaf less ephiphyte with small leaves that wither in some time. Photosynthesis is performed by the root

Flowers once in spring with a long raceme with 10-20 fragrant flowers

Cultural Requirements and Nutrition

To be mounted directly on a piece of wood. Likes to completely dry between watering and hence no moss should be used for the mount.

Water and fertilize daily all around the year

Pest and Diseases

None spefic

Bloomed in March 2015

Ascocentrum ampullaceum

Ascocentrum ampullaceum [Lindley]Schlechter 1913

Common Name: Vein-like Ascocentrum [Lip Spur]

Distribution & Occurrence:

Central China, western Himalayas to Vietnam @ elevations of 300 to 1700 meters. Found in subtropical forests often on deciduous trees.

The Plant

A miniature sized, hot to cool growing vandaceous epiphyte.

Blooms in spring to summer with multiple inflorescences. Multiple color forms exist from pink, lavender, orange, yellow and alba

Cultural Requirements and Nutrition

Prefers to be mounted and likes to watered and fertilized all year around. Requires a cooler temperatures to initiate spike.

Requires bright light and some of the varieties can take full sun and hence the leaves are almost purple in color

Pest and Diseases

No specific pests or disease.

Bloomed in Mar 2015

Phalaenopsis schilleriana

Phalaenopsis schilleriana Rchb.f 1860 SUBGENUS Phalaenopsis SECTION Phalaenopsis Benth 1883

Common Name: Schillers Phalaenopsis

Distribution & Occurrence:

Luzon and the surrounding islands in the Philippines @ sea level to 450 meters elevation

The Plant

A large stout epiphyte with large mottled silvery grey leaves 

Blooms in spring on a branching and arching inflorescence with many fragrant pink flowers

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

Cultural Requirements and Nutrition

Grow in shade with humidity and all year around watering and fertilization. Grow in a dryer condition and allow to dry between waterings.

Prefers to be mounted as the leaves can freely hang and reduce the change of crown rot

Pest and Diseases

Prone to crown rot, bacterial diseases, mites and mealy bugs

Bloomed in Mar 2015

Dendrobium capillipes

Dendrobium capillipes Rchb. f. 1867 SECTION Holochrysa

Common Name: The Hairy column foot dendrobium

Dried stems of dendrobium capillipes are used as a immunity enhancer in Chinese medicine

Distribution & Occurrence:

Western Himalayas to Vietnam@ elevations of 800 to 1500 Meters.

The Plant

Small sized warm to cool growing epiphyte with spindle shaped pseudobulbs that are deciduous and become almost yellow in color

Blooms in the late winter to spring on very short. few flowered inflorescence that arise from the apex of the leaves

Flowers once year during late fall or spring and flower lasts a week

Cultural Requirements and Nutrition

Grow in bright light with atleast few hours of direct sunlight and medium should dry out soon. Water and fertilize during active growth period in summer and reduce watering in winter with occasional misting and complete withholding of fertilizers during winter.

Prefers to be mounted

Pest and Diseases

No specific pests or disease.

Bloomed in Mar 2015