Dendrobium crepidatum is widely distributed in India and south-east Asia. They usually grow on branches of trees at heights of 600-2100 m.
Dendrobium crepidatum, also called as The Shoe-Lip Dendrobium (refers to the cavity at the base of the column foot), Callista crepidata, Callista lawiana, Dendrobium actinomorphum, Dendrobium lawanum, Dendrochilum roseum, is a species of the genus Dendrobium. This species was described by Lindley and Paxton in 1850.
IDENTIFY DENDROBIUM CREPIDATUM
Dendrobium crepidatum is widely distributed in India and south-east Asia. Natural habitats extend from the southern Indian peninsula through the low Himalaya region including Garhwal and Mussorie regions in North India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Khasi Hills (Khasia) in north-east India. Occurrence extends further east through Myanmar, the mountainous regions of Thailand, Laos and the Yunnan Province in China. They usually grow on branches of trees at heights of 600-2100 m.
It is a small to medium sized, cool to warm growing epiphyte, which can reach a height of 5-45 cm, with tufted, suberect to pendulous, terete, striated, to 18" (to 45 cm) long, many noded stems each covered with a papery sheath, and carrying 5 to 9, oblong to narrowly lanceolate, acute, 5-12.5 cm long leaves.
The Shoe-Lip Dendrobium blooms in the spring on a short, purple inflorescence with the 1 to 4 shiny, waxy, delicately fragrant, long-lasting flowers arising from near the apex of year old leafless stems. The flowers are 2.5-4.6 cm in diameter. The outer whorls and wider petals of the inner whorl are white with a pink-lilac coloration, especially on the tips. The large, round to the heart-shaped lip has a shallow depression. It can be white, cream, or pinkish with a yellow or orange spot near the base.
DENDROBIUM CREPIDATUM CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Dendrobium crepidatum needs a light level of 35000-45000 lux. This plants require a very high level of light and strong air movement. A maximum level of light should be provided throughout the year, so as not to burn the leaves.
Temperature:
The average temperature of the summer day is 25-27 ° C, the night 18-19 ° C, giving a daily difference of 7-9 ° C. In spring, the average day temperature is 30-31 ° C, nights 12-19, and the daily difference is 11-18 ° C. The average temperature of the winter day is 25-28 ° C, the night 9-10 ° C, with a daily difference of 15-18 ° C.
Humidity:
The Shoe-Lip Dendrobium require a humidity of 75-85% for most of the year, but drops to almost 60% at the end of winter and at the beginning of spring.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Dendrobium crepidatum can be install on tree fern or cork cause of their overhanging habitat. However, high humidity should be maintained and watering should be provided at least once a day in the summer. If it is not possible to mount plants, they can be grown in hanging baskets filled with loose, quickly drying ground. Repotting can be carried out at any time as new roots grow.
Watering:
Water is abundant from spring to early autumn, the period of active plant growth. During this period, the plants should be kept moist with little or no drying between waterings. When new growths reach maturity in autumn, the amount of water should be gradually reduced.
Fertilizer:
It is recommended to use a 1/4-1/2 dose of orchid fertilizer weekly. From spring to mid-summer, high-nitrogen fertilizer is preferred, but then until the end of autumn it is necessary to switch to high-phosphoric fertilizer.
Rest period:
Dry winter, low night temperatures or a large daily difference may be necessary to initiate flowering. During a very cold weather, the plant's chances of survival with minimal damage are greater if the plant is dry. You can complete eliminate water in winter, but plants grow better if during the most of the winter they will be a bit dry between watering, but they will not dry for too long. In the period of 1-2 months at the end of winter, Dendrobium crepidatum should then dry completely between waterings and remain dry for a longer period. Occasional morning fogging between waterings should prevent excessive drying of plants. Until spring watering increases, the fertilization should be significantly reduced or eliminated during this period.
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