Dendrobium draconis occurs in a large area from India to south-eastern Asia. Natural habitats extend from the Manipur district in north-east India through the Tenasserim region of Myanmar to the mountains of northern Thailand, further east to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
Dendrobium draconis, also called as The Dragon-Like Dendrobium, Callista draconis, Dendrobium andersoni, Dendrobium eburneum, is a species of the genus Dendrobium. This species was described by Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach in 1862.
IDENTIFY DENDROBIUM DRACONIS
Dendrobium draconis occurs in a large area from India to south-eastern Asia. Natural habitats extend from the Manipur district in north-east India through the Tenasserim region of Myanmar to the mountains of northern Thailand, further east to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. They usually grow at heights of 800-1300 m, but they were encountered even at an altitude of 2000 m.
It is a small to medium sized, warm to cool growing epiphytic, which reaching 23-56 cm in height, with tufted, slightly fusiform or clavate, 8 to 9 noded, 15-45 cm long stems with sheaths covered in black hairs and carrying rather leathery, ligulate or lanceolate, dark green, acute, or obliquely bilobed, 6-10 cm long leaves.
The Dragon-Like Dendrobium blooms in the early spring on a apical or axillary, very short, 2 to 5 flowered raceme with, waxy, long-lived, fragrant flowers smelling of Tangerine arising from nodes near the apex on older canes. The flowers are 4-6 cm in diameter, and the petals of both whorls are ivory-white. The white lip has magenta, red-orange or gold lines at the base of the oval center plot. The top of the lip is sharp and has undulating edges. The long spur is slender and tubular.
DENDROBIUM DRACONIS CARE AND CULTURE
Dendrobium draconis can bloom at any time in spring or summer, but most often bloom in May-June. This species sometimes grows together with Dendrobium williamsonii and is referred to as the most common Dendrobium in the world.
Light:
The Dragon-Like Dendrobium needs a light level of 30000-40000 lux. This plants need bright light and strong air movement, especially when the temperatures are high. Shading is needed from spring to autumn, but the light level should be as high as possible, as the leaves can not be burned.
Temperature:
The average temperature of the summer day is 25-27 ° C, the night 18-19 ° C, and the daily difference is 7-9 ° C. In spring, the average day temperature is 30-31 ° C, the night 12-19 ° C, and the daily difference is 11-18 ° C. The average temperature of the winter day is 25-28 ° C, the night 9-10 ° C, and the daily difference is 15-18 ° C.
Humidity:
From spring to autumn, Dendrobium draconis needs the average humidity of 80-85%, but within 2-3 months at the end of winter and at the beginning of spring it drops to almost 60%.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
This plants can be mounted on cork or tree ferns if high humidity is ensured and watering is done at least once a day in summer. If the plants are grow in pots, the pots should be as small as possible to only accommodate the roots. The substrate should be very loose and quickly drying.
Repotting should be performed as rarely as possible. If it is necessary, it is best to do it when new roots begin to grow, or immediately after flowering.
Watering:
From spring to early autumn, during the growing season, water is abundant. During this period, Dendrobium draconis should be constantly moist with little drying between watering. When new growths in autumn reach maturity, the amount of water should be gradually reduced.
Fertilizer:
It is recommended to use 1/2 a full dose of orchid fertilizer weekly. From spring to mid-summer, high-nitrogen fertilizer is preferred, and use high-phosphoric fertilizer until the end of autumn.
Rest period:
A cold, dry rest is necessary for the Dendrobium draconis and should last until new growth appears in the spring. The plant can tolerate a slight frost as long as they are dry. You can complete eliminate water in the winter, but the plants will be in better condition if for most of this period they will allow them to dry out between waterings, but they can not stay dry for too long. However, for a period of 1-2 months at the end of winter, they should dry completely between waterings and stay dry longer. Occasional fogging in the early morning between watering will help protect plants against excessive drying. Fertilization should be very limited or eliminated until spring, when regular watering is resumed.
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