Dendrobium cunninghamii aka Winika

At the genus level the American Orchid Society notes that artificially-propagated Dendrobium seedlings present no special growing problems, while wild-collected, high-elevation forms rarely survive in cultivation. Dendrobium cunninghamii itself is a cool-growing New Zealand epiphyte, so most failures stem from cold drafts, prolonged wet roots, or trying to grow it as a warm-tropical orchid rather than the temperate epiphyte it is.

The plant forms tufts up to about 2 metres wide composed of wiry, cane-like stems up to 1 metre long and only ~7 mm thick, with narrow linear leaves 30-50 mm long. Flowers are 20-25 mm across, borne up to eight per spike. Growth is moderate and clump-forming rather than vining or climbing.

The American Orchid Society places Dendrobiums in three broad temperature groups; Dendrobium cunninghamii, as a New Zealand temperate-rainforest epiphyte, sits at the cool end and benefits from a clear seasonal cycle and cool nights. Cold winter drafts can trigger leaf drop in evergreen Dendrobiums and should be avoided.

Flowering peaks in December-January in the Southern Hemisphere (mid-summer through early autumn). Following the genus pattern, watering and feeding are heaviest while new canes are actively growing and taper off as canes mature; cold drafts and excessive winter wet should be avoided.

Each inflorescence bears up to eight flowers, 20-25 mm wide, with white petals and sepals. The three-lobed labellum has rose pink or purplish side lobes, and a middle lobe marked with four or five greenish or yellowish ridges along its midline.

Historical synonyms within Dendrobium include Callista cunninghamii, Dendrobium biflorum, and Dendrobium lessonii.

In its native New Zealand range it grows outdoors as an epiphyte on forest trees and on fallen logs, rocks, cliff faces, and even brick or concrete walls in rainforest environments across the North Island, South Island, Stewart Island, and the Chatham Islands. Outside its native climate it is best grown under glass or in cool, sheltered, humid conditions.

At the genus level, Dendrobiums are typically grown in small pots in standard epiphyte mixtures, or mounted on bark slabs. The American Orchid Society advises keeping plants "almost root-bound to avoid rotting" rather than over-potting.

Genus-level guidance from the American Orchid Society notes that overwatering deciduous Dendrobiums after canes mature can produce plantlets (keikis) instead of flowers — these keikis can be detached once rooted and grown on as new plants. Artificially-propagated seedlings establish much more reliably than wild-collected divisions.

Cold winter drafts are a known trigger for leaf drop in evergreen Dendrobiums.

Wild-collected high-elevation Dendrobium species rarely survive in cultivation, while artificially-propagated seedlings grow normally — slow or stalled growth often traces back to plant origin and to mismatched temperature, watering, or pot size.

The species has strong cultural rather than utilitarian significance: the Maori name Winika is tied to the Tainui people, whose sacred war canoe Te Winika was named for the orchid because it grew on the totara tree used for the canoe's hull. The plant was also featured on a 40-cent New Zealand postage stamp in 1990.

Winika’s native range is Southeast Asia.

Winika should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Winika loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

To ensure optimal growth, the Winika prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

The Winika is not in need of supplementary humidity. Most water is taken in by plants through their roots, thus soil watering is the most efficient way to provide humidity to your plants.

The Winika should be repotted either when it doubles in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing new potting soil with all the vital nutrients annually is enough to support the growth of the plant, and thus, there is no need for fertilizer. Remember that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Ploi's records do not contain confirmed information on the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event of accidental ingestion of plant material with questionable toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.