Dendrobium formosum is widely distributed in the forests of Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and north-east India in the states of Assam and in the Khasi (Khasia) mountains. The natural habitat extends further through the mountainous regions of Myanmar, northern Thailand to Dalat in Vietnam.
Dendrobium formosum, also called as The Beautiful Giant-Flowered Dendrobium, Callista Formosa, Dendrobium formosum var. giganteum, Dendrobium infundibulum, is a species of the genus Dendrobium. This species was described by Roxb. ex Lindl. in 1830.
IDENTIFY DENDROBIUM FORMOSUM
Dendrobium formosum is widely distributed in the forests of Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and north-east India in the states of Assam and in the Khasi (Khasia) mountains. The natural habitat extends further through the mountainous regions of Myanmar, northern Thailand to Dalat in Vietnam. In north-eastern India it grows at an altitude of about 1500 m, and in northern Thailand at an altitude of 2000-2300 m. The plants known as Dendrobium formosum var.giganteum, a thermophilic variety with larger flowers, occur at lower altitudes in India and the Ranong region in the southwestern Thailand.
It is a small to medium sized, warm to cold growing epiphyte, which reaching 23-45 cm in height, with medium sized, terete, erect, 23-45 cm long stems that are leafy in the upper 2 thirds and carries spreading, coriaceous, oblong-elliptic, obtuse, 9-15 cm long leaves that are articulated to the hirsute, tubular leaf-sheaths below.
The Beautiful Giant-Flowered Dendrobium blooms in the fall to winter on a short, axillary or terminal raceme with 1 to 4, fragrant flowers that arise from the nodes near the apex of the leafy mature cane. The flowers are 8-15 cm in diameter. These white flowers have a crystalline texture. Outer petals are lanceolate. The rounded petals of the inner whorl are just as wide as the long ones. The white lip shaped scoop has a bright yellow to orange spot in the throat. The front of the lip is shaped like a tongue and is bent.
DENDROBIUM FORMOSUM 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 formosum needs a light level of 30000-40000 lux. They likes high levels of light, and when new growths reach mature, it can tolerate almost full sun.
Temperature:
The average temperature of the summer day is 19-21 ° C, the night 12-13 ° C, and the daily difference is 7-9 ° C. In spring, the average day temperature is 23-24 ° C, the night 5-12 ° C, and the daily difference is 11-18 ° C. In winter, the average day temperature is 18-21 ° C, the night 2-3 ° C, giving a daily difference of 15-18 ° C.
Humidity:
In summer and autumn, The Beautiful Giant-Flowered Dendrobium need the average humidity of 80-85%, and at the beginning of winter it drops to 75%. Then, for a period of about 2 months at the end of winter and early spring, this average drops to almost 60%.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Dendrobium formosum can be grown mounted on tree ferns or cork or placed in baskets, high humidity is ensured and watering is done at least once a day in summer. When grown in pots, it works very well as the substrate of Osmund fern. Repotting is best done in early spring, when new roots grow.
Watering:
Watering is moderate to heavy from late spring to early autumn, but it is drier in the winter. The plants should be abundantly watered during active growth, but when new growths reach maturity in autumn, the amount of water should be gradually reduced.
Fertilizer:
It is recommended to use a 1/2-1/4 dose of orchid fertilizer weekly. From spring to mid summer, fertilizer with an increased nitrogen content is preferred, and fertilizer with an increased content of phosphorus should be used at the end of summer and autumn.
Rest period:
A cool, dry rest is very important and should last until new growths appear in the spring. You can complete eliminate water in the winter, but the plants will be better if for the most part of this period they will dry a little between watering, but they will not stay dry for too long. At the end of winter for 1-2 months, the plants should then dry completely between waterings and stay dry longer. Occasional morning fogging between waterings should protect the plants from drying out. Fertilization should be significantly reduced or eliminated until spring, when larger watering resumes.
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