Dendrobium lindleyi, a charming and versatile orchid, is widely distributed across Southeast Asia, including regions such as Sikkim, Bhutan, northeast India, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and southwest China. This species thrives in the mountainous areas of northern Thailand at elevations of 650-1400 meters, but can also be found in the southern and south-central regions. Typically growing on tree branches that shed their leaves before winter, this orchid is an epiphyte perfectly suited to varied environments.
Dendrobium lindleyi is a miniature to small-sized orchid, growing to a height of 10-20 cm. It features erect, clustered, thickened stems that are almost spindle-shaped and range from 5-10 cm long. Each stem supports a solitary, oblong, leathery leaf measuring about 7.6 cm in length. The plant blooms in winter and spring, producing fragrant flowers on an axillary raceme that often hangs pendant-like from the nodes of leafed or leafless canes. The flowers, which are 2.5-5.0 cm in diameter, display round, flat petals that vary in color from almost white to deep orange, but are usually yellow. The lip of the flower is typically orange-yellow and darkens at the base, creating a vibrant display.
Cultivating Tips:
Light:
- Requires very bright light with levels between 35,000-45,000 lux.
- Ensure strong air movement to prevent leaf burn.
- Can be grown on a sunny windowsill, but artificial light may not induce flowering.
Temperature:
- Summer: Daytime 26-28°C, nighttime 19-20°C with a daily variation of 7-9°C.
- Spring: Daytime 30-31°C, nighttime 12-19°C with a daily variation of 11-18°C.
- Winter: Daytime 25-28°C, nighttime 9-10°C with a daily variation of 15-18°C.
Humidity:
- Needs high humidity of 80-85% during the growing season.
- In winter and early spring, humidity should drop to 60-65%.
Substrate and Repotting:
- Best mounted on wood or tree fern rootstocks with a sphagnum moss cushion.
- Ensure high humidity and daily watering in summer if mounted.
- If potted, use a loose, fast-drying substrate with adequately sized containers to accommodate the root ball.
- Repot infrequently, only when the substrate begins to decompose, and avoid dividing into clumps smaller than 3-4 increments.
Watering:
- Keep the plant consistently moist from spring to early autumn.
- Reduce water gradually as new growth matures in late autumn.
Fertilizer:
- Use a half-strength orchid fertilizer weekly.
- Apply high-nitrogen fertilizer with micronutrients from spring to mid-summer, switching to phosphorus-enriched fertilizer until the end of autumn.
Rest Period:
- Requires a dry rest period in winter to initiate flowering, ideally at night temperatures around 10°C.
- Reduce watering significantly, allowing the plant to dry out between waterings without prolonged dryness.
- The dry rest should last until flower stems are 2.5 cm long.
- Eliminate fertilization until spring when watering increases.
- Maintain high light levels during winter.
This is a blooming size imported bare root orchid ; newly repotted in a 4" or 5" pot or mounted; about 1 to 2 years to bloom; Grown from seed; Limited!
Bring home Dendrobium lindleyi to enjoy its delightful, fragrant blooms and vibrant colors. With proper care, this orchid will be a stunning addition to your collection, showcasing its resilience and beauty throughout the seasons.