Dendrobium nobile aka Noble Dendrobium

Taxonomy

Dendrobium nobile, also known as the noble dendrobium, is a popular cultivated decorative house plant from the family Orchidaceae. It is cherished for its colorful blooms that appear during the winter and spring seasons when few other flowers are in bloom. This epiphytic or lithophytic plant is native to southern China, including Tibet, as well as the Himalayas and Indochina. It has also been reportedly naturalized in Hawaii and is recognized as the state flower of Sikkim. Dendrobium nobile can be found in lowland and mountain forests, often growing on mossy limestone rocks. It showcases strap-shaped, persistent leaves and its blooms are highly variable in color, ranging from white to pink and purple. The various cultivated varieties of Dendrobium nobile produce different sized and colored blooms. Fragrant and waxy, these flowers emerge from the upper nodes of leafed and leafless canes. The species is well-represented in Kew Gardens Tropical Nursery in London, and its seeds are stored in the Millennium Seed Bank there. Another related orchid species called 'Cooksonianum' features oval to strap-shaped, semi-evergreen leaves and bears fragrant flowers in trusses on stems approximately 70cm long. These flowers display a combination of white and purple hues, with a deep maroon red lip.

Common names

Noble Dendrobium, Dendrobium, Dendrobium Stem

How to care for Noble Dendrobium

Difficulty

With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Noble Dendrobium, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.

Water

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

Soil

Noble Dendrobium 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.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Noble Dendrobium prefers bright indirect 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.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it is common for Noble Dendrobium plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

Cat approves this plant

Toxicity

Noble Dendrobium is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.

Humidity

The Noble Dendrobium does not demand additional humidity levels. Water is mostly absorbed by the roots of plants, rather than their leaves, and the best way to provide humidity to your plants is through watering the soil.

Fertilizer

Once the Noble Dendrobium has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Noble Dendrobium’s native range is Southeast Asia.

Flower

Yes, if you provide your Noble Dendrobium with adequate sunlight and water, you can expect it to bloom.


More info:
Wikipedia