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"Orchid Dendrobium
(better known as bamboo orchids)
Caring for and growing them"
By virtue of this knowledge, the orchid dendrobium today is as easy to grow as saying your ABC's. There are two types of dendrobium orchids and two distinct climatic conditions under which they grow. The orchid dendrobium (the word means "tree-life") resemble bamboo. This is one of their visually unmistakable characteristics. The pseudobulbs are noded, slightly narrowing at the leaf axils in much the same manner as in bamboo. Some may even call it bamboo orchid. Usually the pseudobulbs are much longer in proportion to their thickness. They may vary from one-fourth inch to several inches in diameter and from one inch to three or more feet in length. Flowers are freely produced from apical spikes or in clusters of two and three flowers from the nodes along the pseudobulbs. Instead of flowering only once a year, the Indian and Burmese dendrobiums have the pleasant habit of producing two or three spikes at irregular intervals. Although the flowers are rarely larger than four inches, the floriferousness of the plants and the gay colors make them more decorative than most orchids. In no other genus of orchids are there more perfect golden yellows, fiery oranges, brilliant reds, and pure whites. ONE DOZEN DENDROBIUM ORCHIDS ARRANGED IN A VASE Dendrobium orchids tend to revoke the practice of growing only the best hybrids. Many species have not been excelled by their hybrid progeny. Many of the flowers have spurs or little nubs at their bases which give them something of the appearance of over-sized nasturtiums or gaudy aquilegias. This is another visual characteristic by which you can identify the family.
Culturally the orchid dendrobium are divided into two classes: the evergreen plants from Australia and New Guinea—typified by Dendrobium phalaenopsis—aná the deciduous plants from the mountains of India and Burma—of which Dendrobium nobile is one of the most popular. A third but relatively unimportant group is listed by some authorities; as the first two groups merge in the Malay Archipelago they produce abortive plants which may be evergreen and yet require the same culture as the deciduous members. Dendrobium formosum (one of the finest white orchids) is about the only one of this group you are likely to grow. It grows luxuriantly along the sea coasts of Malaya and the Andaman Islands, where it is often drenched by salt spray.
The orchid denbrodium in the evergreen section, while requiring more constant attention than those in the deciduous group, are not hard to grow if they are confined to glass structures where you can control atmospheric conditions. They require high humidities; syringing or table trays may not provide sufficient atmospheric moisture. They can be used as table and window decoration when in bloom because the drier air of the room will prolong the life of the flowers. However, as soon as the flower season is finished put them back into Wardian cases or greenhouses.
If you select the orchid dendrobium (aka bamboo orchids) to grow at home in cases or greenhouses, try the deciduous ones first. They are as nearly foolproof as orchids can be. Most species belong to this group, thus making it easier for you to choose plants in keeping with your pocketbook. In addition, they are buffeted about by abrupt and variable seasonal climatic changes in the Burmese mountains; as a result, they don't mind more or less casual treatment in culture. Indeed, they weren't grown successfully until early orchidists stopped pampering them. However, both deciduous and evergreen sections are hard to grow in the East unless kept in greenhouses. The reason for this is not clear since they succeed so well in the South and West under casual window culture. It is most likely that they receive too little syringing, too little light in steam-heated eastern homes.
Click here for Orchid Dendrobium part 2
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