Sydney Rock Orchid

Dendrobium is a large genus with around 1400 species spread throughout Asia and the Pacific. Australia has about 56 species, many of which are cultivated. Considerable hybridization has been carried out within the genus to produce improved horticultural forms and a number of naturally occurring hybrids are also in cultivation.

Major taxonomic revision of the Dendrobium group has occurred in recent years with many species being transferred to new genera. Some of these changes have been reasonably widely accepted (eg Dockrillia) while the status of others is less certain. The various forms of Dendrobium speciosum have been transferred to the genus Thelychiton by some authorities but the earlier name is retained here until the taxonomic situation becomes more clear.

Dendrobium speciosum is a lithophyte (growing on rocks) or an epiphyte (growing on another living plant, but not parasitic in nature). Pseudobulbs are up to 45 cm long, erect or spreading, thickest near base and often tapering towards the apex. There are usually 2 to 5 thick leaves at the top of each pseudobulb. Flowers occur on long stems in large clusters which may consist of over 100 flowers per stem. They are usually pure white to creamy yellow with purple dots on the labellum. Flowers are seen from late winter to spring.

There are a number of different form and varieties of Dendrobium speciosum which will become new species under the taxonomic revision. The most commonly encountered are D.speciosum var.speciosum and D.speciosum var.hillii. The later is now regarded as Dendrobium tarberi by many authorities and differs from D.speciosum var.speciosum in having longer, untapered pseudobulbs and is more commonly found growing on trees.

D.speciosum is popular in cultivation and is easy to grow in tropical to temperate climates. It can be grown on branches of trees or on rocks where it receives nutrients through the break down of leaf litter that accumulates around its root system. While the plant is establishing its root system, it may need to be fixed into position by wire or twine. Eventually new roots will form which will grip the substrate firmly. The plant should not be planted directly into soil as the root system is not adapted to constant moisture.

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Dendrobium speciosum

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Dendrobium speciosum, commonly known as the Sydney rock orchid or rock lily,[2] is a highly variable Australian native orchid that forms a species complex. Its varieties can be found in a range of habitats as an epiphyte (on branches or trunks of trees) or a lithophyte. It has a continuous distribution along the east coast of Australia and in distinct populations along the Tropic of Capricorn. As a lithophyte, it forms gigantic spreading colonies on rocks and cliff faces, often exposed to full sun, with its roots forming dense, matted beds across the rock that anchor the plant. It can be found at altitudes from sea level to 900 metres (3,000 ft).

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Description
There are two to five thick, leathery leaves originating from the top of each pseudobulb. These leaves can remain on the plant for up to 12 years. The erect or curved pseudobulbs are large, up to 45 cm (18 in) long. They are thickest at their base, measuring 5 to 7 cm (2.0 to 2.8 in), and taper towards the apex (3 cm (1.2 in)). The showy flowers grow in long racemes on straight or slowly arching, long, starchy stems. Some varieties produce 100 or more 2 to 5 cm (0.8 to 2.0 in), sweetly fragrant flowers per raceme in winter or spring. Flower colour, depending on variety, can be white, cream, yellow or dark yellow. Some cultivars have golden hued flowers.[4] The (predominantly) white labellum is covered with purple dots and veined with red and purple.

This orchid is popular in cultivation, growing into a large specimen that does well outdoors in climates with a mild winter. It may be grown in an open, coarse orchid growing medium, on a sturdy tree with an open canopy, or as a terrestrial in a well-drained position. It requires very bright light to full sun. Watering is year round in moderation. It is very temperature tolerant as long as it receives good warmth during the growing season. Frost, however, can cause extensive defoliation, an event the plant may require years to recover from. In cultivation D. speciosum can develop extremely large pseudobulbs, and benefits from regular fertilisation.[3] Even in ideal cultivation conditions it may not flower every year, especially so in plants from more southern populations.

The 1889 book The Useful Native Plants of Australia records that common names included "rock lily" and that "The large pseudo-bulbs have been eaten by the aborigines, they, however, contain but little nutritive matter."

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dendrobium_speciosum

Dendrobium Speciosum - The Sydney Rock Orchid

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Dendrobium speciosum is one of the world's most underrated and exciting of orchids. They are capable of producing possibly the largest display plants and most spectacular shows of mass blooming of any known orchid. Extraordinarily tough, hardy and drought tolerant it should be one of the most cultivated plants ever! It can tolerate near frost to temperatures over 45°c without severe damage.

This orchid is native to a vast section of Australia ranging from Mallacoota (37°33'S) in South-East Victoria to the tropical conditions up past Cairns (16°57′S). Because it is found over such a vast region, botanists have broken the species apart into many subspecies or varieties. It seems every few years they change names again, so we will mainly use the oldest and most accepted names in this guide.

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Growing under harsh dry and bright Australian conditions it is the perfect orchid for garden planting in tubs or even half wine barrels. Anywhere worldwide that has similar conditions to south-eastern Australia will be able to grow this orchid with ease. Dendrobium speciosum is particularly suited for growing in southern Italy, Greece, Portugal, Spain, southern France, and California USA.

This is an orchid that thrives on low-medium humidity, bright to very bright light and an open well drained pot with orchid compost.

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In almost every occasion I have seen this orchid in the wild, it is growing on granite cliff faces or boulders in open grassy paddocks. The photo below shows just how open bright and exposed these magnificent orchids require. They are huge growers, so in time they may require a giant tub or preferment position in the garden.

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https://www.australianorchids.com.au/pages/dendrobium-speciosum-the-sydney-rock-orchid

Dendrobium speciosum

Dendrobium is one of the largest genera of orchids. Many are lithophytic and epiphytic and so can be grown on rocks or on trees, including Dendrobium speciosum, which is an Australian native sometimes called the king orchid or rock orchid. It was first named in 1804 from a specimen collected by the First Fleet surgeon John White. It forms large clumps, with thick 'pseudobulbs' and leathery leaves. The plant flowers in late winter and early spring, with showy racemes clustered with small perfumed flowers ranging in colour from white to creamy yellow or gold. To see them in the bush in early spring is a wonderful spectacle.

According to a sign I saw in the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, 'the starchy stems of this orchid were eaten raw by the Cadigal people, or after roasting them over hot coals'.

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They can be grown on a rock by sitting them on some orchid compost and propping them up with smaller rocks: they will eventually attach themselves to the main rock. They can also be affixed to a tree using an old stocking partially filled with orchid compost in which to anchor the roots - tie the orchid onto the tree with the ends of the stocking. Eventually it will adhere itself onto the bark. They can also grow in cut-up tree stumps. They can also be wired onto boards. If grown in pots, they need very well-drained orchid medium. They should not be planted directly into soil. Give them water, especially in summer, and some liquid fertiliser occasionally in spring and summer. They need sun to promote best flowering. The colour of the flowers can echo cream-coloured Clivia that appear at the same time, and also consorts well with the soft blue flowers of Salvia fallax. Propagate by removing rooted pieces from the clump. The main pest is the dendrobium beetle, which can ruin leaes, new shoots and flowers. Remove them by hand in the early evening. You can flick them into a container with some soapy water at the bottom.

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http://www.igarden.com.au/plant-type.jsp?t=Dendrobium

Growing dendrobium speciosum

This is the page I have been dreading. There have been an awful lot of words written and spoken attempting to deal with the culture for Dendrobium speciosum. I guess that on a website dealing with a single species there has to be some information advising how to grow it. If you want in-depth knowledge, you can simply Google it up and I can tell you there are certainly a lot of good articles out there. Rather then prattling on about using this and that, all in very exacting quantities of course, and boring everyone senseless, I am really only going to give a few ideas to take into consideration.

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The first thing that must be said about growing D. speciosum is this: D. speciosum, in all of its forms, is pretty easy to grow. I live in western Sydney and I have experienced temperatures ranging from -6C all the way up to +46C. Cold temperatures do not appear to worry it. However, if frost actually settles on the leaves, the news is not going to be good.

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Frost protection is the most important thing for long-term success with D. speciosum. One frosty night can set back your plants for three or four years. Defoliation is the problem. Plants will recover however, but nothing is as ugly as a bush house full of leafless bulbs and a carpet of dead leaves on the gravel floor.

I know this from two major events in my growing career when frost got in and left me with wheelbarrow loads of freshly dropped and dead D. speciosum leaves. Heartbreaking in the extreme! Good news is that new growths will not be affected but it will take three years to grow out the old damage. If you do not take precautions you risk losing the new growths just matured the next time Jack Frost pays you a visit.

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These days I just live with the acceptance that I must cover my bush house with an extra layer of shade cloth during the winter. I put it on at the start of June and it comes off again in late September. Conditions during this blackout are dark indeed. By June all racemes that are going to emerge are on their way. If I left the two layers on all year round, the number of racemes would be much lower then I get with one layer.

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To see really successful flowerings, you must have strong light all year. As strong as you can provide without the sun actually damaging your plants. If your plants are not flowering for you, low light levels will almost always cause it. So, if your plants are housed between your garage and the six foot high side fence, you probably will not have enough light to form flowering eyes between the leaves of the new growths. Without eyes you cannot have flowers. Give your plants plenty of light all year and you are off to a good start with managing D. speciosum.

http://therocklilyman.com/culture/growing-dendrobium-speciosum/

(The Spectacular Dendrobium speciosum )
Australia’s Native Orchids make a great inclusion into your garden. They may be planted into rockeries or trees, no matter where you put them when they bloom they are sure to make an impact. As these orchids are naturally found here they are ideal for gardens, the orchids we supply (The Spectacular Dendrobium speciosum) are ideally suited to Cool, Temperate and Subtropical Climates. Some prefer a shaded position while others want maximum light – there are orchids for all situations. We get frosts every year and have many orchids included in our gardens. Orchids, like anything else, just like to be put in the right spot and you will be surprised how well they will grow and the blooms will astound you.

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Here we will explain and show you how to put your Aussie Native Orchid into the garden and onto trees. We also have a list of orchids that are available from us that are suitable for your garden. We are able to help with any plant selection, just give us a ring or email us.

*** HERE WE GO ***
It should be noted that your orchid must be planted with the correct amount of light, or the correct orchid chosen for the site to be planted out. Too little light and your orchid will grow great but will not bloom for you.

** High light – will take full sun – Dendrobium speciosum ( King Rock or Sydney Orchid )
** Strong to Filtered Light – Dendrobium species ( ie kingianum,speciosum) and Hybrids
** Shaded – not deep shade – Sarcochilus species and Hybrids

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In all situations plants love early light and protection from Westerly sun.The planting process is the same for all our orchids. With the site selected and plant in hand, we now come to planting.

** First we have a look at the plant and see which way it would be best situated, the plant could be there for 100 years so make sure that it has some space and that it’s new growths have room. Now we get the spot ready for the plant, your orchid does not want to be planted into the soil as that will suffocate and kill the plant. – Orchids roots breathe – We must plant them in what is called an ‘Open Mix’ that will allow air to the root system. Rock, Gravel, Broken Terracotta, Polystyrene Foam, Pine Bark nuggets and Hardwood chunks are all ideal, a mix of some of these would be just right. -- We’ve got our Potting Mix.

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PREPARE THE PLANTING SITE ** - We must raise where we are going to plant our orchid above the soil height to allow the water to run away from the plant and also to make it easier for air to reach the root zone. So, we build a ‘Nest’ of rocks to hold our potting mix and orchid, this nest should be no less than 6” (150mm) high. It is a good idea to throw in a layer of rock, broken bricks or similar, this will help get good drainage. With the nest built pour in the potting mix, leave it hilled in the centre as this makes it easier for planting.

http://www.earthtojoy.com.au/guides/orchids.php

Dendrobium speciosum
King of Orchids

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Dendrobium speciosum to me is the King of Orchids. I have loved the Australian bush all my life, and get away whenever I can for walks or fishing the rivers on the East Coast of New South Wales. During one of these walks with my brother in the late 70's we came across a plant of Dendrobium speciosum var. hillii. It was a massive clump that had fallen from a huge eucalypt and I removed 5 canes and brought them back to me in Sydney, it thrived and grew into a clump over 2m across.

Over the next 10 years I developed a love of all orchids and especially species orchids, from all over the world, which we grew in a bushhouse in our backyard.

My love of Australian native orchids and especially the Dendrobiums grew stronger, and the pull to Dendrobium speciosum was such that it had me under its spell and I must say it's my favourite.

In Australia there has always had a small band of individuals who have grown Dendrobium speciosum in its many varieties, and have gone on to grow and promote growing from seed to save our navive orchids. You have to be special, some say mad, to concentrate your efforts on growing and breeding a plant that may take 12-14 years to flower from seed. Especially the devoted group of individuals who are line breeding some of these magnificent plants. Not all Dendrobium speciosum will take that long to flower, some of the different varieties and nursery raised plants can flower in 6-7 years. However, when they flower it is all worth it. A single inflorescence that is 700 mm long with 100 plus fully opened 75mm tall flowers all perfectly spaced so the whole raceme looks like a huge foxtail. I almost forgot about the honey sweet all pervading perfume, ah for spring.

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http://www.ourshopfront.com/kabi/images/Natives/Dendrobium speciosum 2.JPG

OK, if your interested then come on in and enjoy this site that is dedicated to the King of orchids.

I have tried to gather all the information that is available today on this marvellous orchid. In these pages you will find articles that have been written on the species by some gifted people in the native orchid scene in Australia.

Information covering the following
Feeding program
Shadehouse
Potting materials
Structure of the various types including geographical locations and climatic conditions.
Roots, pseudobulbs, leaves, inflorescence, flowers, fruit.
Pests and diseases.

Articles that have been written over the last 15 years from some of this countries best writers and
Information on flasking and deflasking plants, pests, diseases and virus. Sources for more information on Australian Native Orchids.

Pictures of plants in the wild, in culture in bushhouses and flasks, deflasking, deflasking and seedlings to 3 year olds. Pictures from shows and on the show benches plus upcoming shows for the spring of '03 and the Native Orchid Conference to be held in '04. Lists of top clones from all varieties.

Links to Nurseries that are involved in breeding programs of Dendrobium speciosum. Links to A.N.O.S. Inc. and local groups. Links to periodicals that feature Australian Native Orchids. Other links of interest.
INFORMATION
ARTICLES

PICTURES

LINKS

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http://members.optusnet.com.au/elanbee/index.html

Dendrobium speciosum

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Distribution Map
Family: Orchidaceae
Distribution: Northern Queensland to south-eastern Victoria as a lithophyte or an epiphyte.
Common Name: Rock orchid; rock lily
Derivation of Name: Dendrobium...from the Greek dendron, a tree, and bios, life, referring to the growth habit of many, but not all, species.
speciosum... From latin speciosus, showy or beautiful, referring to the flowering habit of the species.
Conservation Status: Not considered to be at risk in the wild.

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General Description:
Dendrobium is a large genus with around 1400 species spread throughout Asia and the Pacific. Australia has about 56 species, many of which are cultivated. Considerable hybridization has been carried out within the genus to produce improved horticultural forms and a number of naturally occurring hybrids are also in cultivation.

Major taxonomic revision of the Dendrobium group has occurred in recent years with many species being transferred to new genera. Some of these changes have been reasonably widely accepted (eg Dockrillia) while the status of others is less certain. The various forms of Dendrobium speciosum have been transferred to the genus Thelychiton by some authorities but the earlier name is retained here until the taxonomic situation becomes more clear.

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Dendrobium speciosum is a lithophyte (growing on rocks) or an epiphyte (growing on another living plant, but not parasitic in nature). Pseudobulbs are up to 45 cm long, erect or spreading, thickest near base and often tapering towards the apex. There are usually 2 to 5 thick leaves at the top of each pseudobulb. Flowers occur on long stems in large clusters which may consist of over 100 flowers per stem. They are usually pure white to creamy yellow with purple dots on the labellum. Flowers are seen from late winter to spring.

There are a number of different form and varieties of Dendrobium speciosum which will become new species under the taxonomic revision. The most commonly encountered are D.speciosum var.speciosum and D.speciosum var.hillii. The later is now regarded as Dendrobium tarberi by many authorities and differs from D.speciosum var.speciosum in having longer, untapered pseudobulbs and is more commonly found growing on trees.

http://anpsa.org.au/d-spe.html

Thelychiton speciosus
formerly Dendrobium speciosum
Rock Orchid, Rock Lily

The popular and relatively easy-to-grow orchid known as Dendrobium speciosum has undergone a name change during a major taxonomic revision of the Dendrobium group and is now renamed Thelychiton speciosus.

The epithet speciosus means beautiful and is in reference to the great racemes of showy cream flowers that are borne from the plant’s crown of 2-5 dark-green leaves. These tough, oblong-shaped leaves arise at the top of attractive laterally ribbed canes that can grow to approximately 40cm high.

Much of T. speciosus’s popular appeal lies in its flowers. Individually these are beautiful, being cream to yellow on the outer of the petals and sepals and tending to a reflective white toward the center. The lower petal, the labellum, is attractively spotted with purple. But the flowering stem of the plant produces up to 120 of these flowers many of which may be open at once, producing a spectacular floral show. The exact time of flowering depends on the regions climate. In its cooler distribution flowering occurs from September to October, though this may be earlier in warmer places.

Thelychiton speciosus distributionIn nature T. speciosus is usually found growing as a lithophyte (growing on rocks) on sandstone or granite in damper sclerophyll forest or occasionally rainforest, or growing as an epiphyte (from the trunk or branches of another plant). Its intolerance to frost means its distribution is limited in Victoria to far East Gippsland and near to the coast in NSW. In QLD its distribution can venture further inland. In places T. speciosus populations have been devastated by illegal orchid poachers, but it remains common in many areas.

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Its natural growth habit means that this species is not suitable for planting in soil because the root system is not adapted to constant wet. Rather it should be grown in a pot in an epiphytic orchid potting mix. The potting mix described in Appendix 1 is mixed 50:50 with scoria and used by the Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) to grow T. speciosus, and though it may be a bit extravagant for the more casual gardener it provides a guideline for what is required. The most important ingredient is the wood chips.

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To grow this plant as an epiphyte or a lithophyte, a form where it can contribute greatly to a garden’s interest and beauty, it is necessary to attach the plant by plastic-covered wire, or even a pair of pantyhose, for at least one growing season. During this period the plant must be well watered to allow for the roots to establish a hold on the substrate. Alternatively it can be pushed into crevices between rocks.

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Orchid propagation by seed is difficult but T. speciosus is easy to propagate by dividing the canes where they are attached to each other at the base or by rhizomes. The plant is a tough one so you may need to improvise in your choice of instrument for this task (the ANBG uses a hammer, a chisel and a spade).

http://www.fascinationoforchids.com/species/Images/2000_Den speciosum grandiflorum.jpg

https://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2003/thelychiton-speciosum.html

GROWING DENDROBIUM SPECIOSUM
Widely known as the 'King Orchid'

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Notes and tips on the culture of this Australian Native Orchid
By O.Sengstock.

Culture:

Culture of this orchid is same as any other orchids, it is always a balance between lighting, watering, potting
mixes etc.
There are 9 varieties of speciosum:
Var. speciosum – from the NSW – Vic border to Buladelah in NSW.
Var. Hillii – from Buladelah NSW to Mt Mee Qld – ranging westwards to around Girraween, with some
isolated colonies.
Var. Grandiflorum – further west from about Conondale Range / Mt Mee area to Mt Morgan near
Rockhampton – integrades with Var hillii at the southern limit of range.
Var. Capricornicum – located on the volcanic plugs surrounding Rockhampton and Byfield region.
Var. Blackdownense – localized on the Blackdown tableland.
Var. Carnarvonense – Carnarvon gorge.
Var. curvicaule – surrounding the Mackay region, sea level to highest areas of the great dividing range.
Var. Boreale – Townsville to Cairns at altitude.
Var. Pendunculatum– Atherton tableland west of Var Boreale on the dry west facing slopes.

Light requirements:
Speciosum love light. 50 % cloth here in Brisbane is a good benchmark. My bush house gets sun from
6.00am to 4.00pm.
Var grandiflorum, boreale, hillii, curvicuale, speciosum grow and flower optimally under this light level
Var carnarvonense, blackdownense, capricornicum, pendulculatum, flower better when they are higher to
the roof under these conditions. They often grow in more exposed locations in the wild.

Watering:
Winter watering is about once per week lightly, summer time is challenging. Excessive water can bring on
rot. This is often challenging to avoid in summer. This is why I choose a mix which is dryer where possible.

Fertilizing:
Speciosum love a good feed. I have a regular fertilizing regime which suits the smaller plants without
supplement. But for pots greater than 200mm, I throw in a small handful of slow release fertilizer every 9-
12 months to give them an extra boost.

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https://www.jodos.org.au/growing-dendrobium-speciosum/

Growing Dendrobium Speciosum

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Once in a past life when I was a beginning native dendrobium hybridist emeritus AOC judge Gordon Giles said something to the effect that "the trouble with you native breeders is that you muck around in your backyards with your toothpicks and you still haven't come up with a hybrid that is as good as a decent speciosum". Although this observation rankled a bit at the time I think I know what he was getting at. 'Rock Lilies' can reliably produce long racemes of relatively large white, cream or yellow flowers late in winter or spring and, being native to most of the Australian east coast, will thrive in their home range given minimum care. Dendrobium speciosum Var. speciosum 'National White' HCC/OSNSW is definitely my favourite native and possibly my favourite orchid overall even though there are probably 'better' clones around.

Den. speciosum 'Kayla'Den. speciosum does best when given a little protection from the weather extremes of the increasingly angry summer sun and biting winter frosts but even then they will survive these tortures looking only a little worse for wear as a result. There is no need to molly coddle these workhorses like some of the newer temperature and water sensitive hybrids! The ideal situation would be where they receive sun from dawn to sundown under 50% shadecloth on benches that enable some degree of control over slugs and snails.

For many years I have grown them in a mix of treated pine bark and river pebbles of a fairly coarse grade and had good results. They seem to do a little better in cement or terra cotta pots but these have largely been replaced in my collection by plastic Port Pots for reasons of cost and practicality. Wayne Turville in Melbourne has excellent growth in hollowed out treefern trunks, they were growing so well when I visited his nursery that I wondered at the time if he would need a forklift to move them. I am currently experimenting with a cocochip and Maidenwell stone mix and the early indications are of excellent root growth, I hope that this material will last for at least a couple of years. Remember if you use cocochips that it is devoid of calcium so you will need to add it in some form without raising the ph too much - dolomite or calcium nitrate may be useful for this.

These plants are not fussy eaters and any soluble fertiliser, blood and bone, Dynamic Lifter or similar served up in small doses from after flowering through to January will be appreciated. Garden specimens survive in rockeries with little extra feed while some growers employ heavy feeding programs but this tends to result in oversized growth in plants that can often assume large dimensions without any extra encouragement. The greater danger is to try and spoil them too much water and fertilizer which often ends in disaster.

I am not the only one who loves the 'King Orchid', many growers are coming to appreciate its virtues especially in the USA where, as the stories go, large consignments of speciosum have ended up (at fairly attractive prices too!). There is even a specifically dedicated speciosum show held every year on the NSW mid north coast each year. Unfortunately humans are not the only creatures that have an appetite for Rock Lilies and dendrobium (orchid) beetles love to eat the flowers, seed pods and new leaves while their larvae can often be found on or in any juicy new part of the plant converting plant tissue into slimy jelly. Aphids and snails will enjoy the flowering season just as much as you if you are not careful while longicorn beetles don't mind tunnelling down the centre of the canes at any stage of growth. A bug proof shadehouse and vigilant hunting are usually enough to minimise the problem without having to resort to chemicals.

Dendrobium speciosum is very adaptable to a variety of growing situations and in the greenhouse can be grown in pots, on mounts or in hanging baskets while in the garden it will grow on trees, rocks, concrete walls or strategically positioned in pockets in rockeries. A walk around most of the streets of Sydney's older suburbs in September will reveal a surprisingly large number of rock lilies flowering their heads off, doing it tough and providing a haven for dendrobium beetles

The most common complaint about growing speciosum is that they take too long to flower from seedlings. We've all heard the "I'll be dead before it flowers" whinge. What these defeatists do not appreciate is that a well cultured plant will flower in five to six years, a time frame comparable with many other orchid genera. The 'twenty years to flower' myth has been based on a few degenerative individuals (how many of us have a plant or two of other genera that we can't flower?) or on a past era when they were poorly regarded as "just rock lilies" and neglected in a corner of the greenhouse and afforded little encouragement to develop quickly.

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https://www.ssos.org.au/GrowingDendrobiumSpeciosum.htm

Growing Dendrobium Orchids Indoors

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Native to Southeast Asia, the genus Dendrobium is one of the largest of all orchid groups. There are about 1,200 individual species, and they grow in all manner of climates, from hot, wet lowlands to high-altitude, colder mountains. Growers usually divide dendrobiums into groups based on their growing conditions. All dendrobiums are epiphytes, meaning that they grow on other plants. In nature, they grow on the branches of trees. Some are deciduous and some hold onto their leaves all year round.

Serious collectors often favor the D. nobile, but the most common kind of dendrobium—the kind gracing grocery store shelves—is a hybrid Dendrobium phalaenopsis. This article will focus on those plants.

Grower's Tips
While they are considered a great orchid for beginners, some people have trouble with Dendrobium phalaenopsis hybrids. With the hybrids, think more of everything—more light, more water, and more fertilizer. They are robust growers that send up at least one new upright cane every year from creeping rhizomes. Don't cut off old canes as they store nutrients and water to keep the plant healthy. Older canes will sometimes flower or produce tiny plantlets (called keikis) that can be potted up on their own after they develop roots.

Light
These plants like strong, natural sunlight. They will grow in lower light conditions, but it is unlikely the plant will bloom well. The appearance of keikis often means the plant isn't getting enough light. On the other hand, if you see yellow leaves you may have given the plant too much direct sunlight.

Water
During the growing season, dendrobiums like high humidity and lots of water. As with all orchids, the frequency of watering depends on your growing conditions, but at least weekly is a good idea during the summer. Don't leave them in a tray of water as that can rot the roots. After the growing season, cut water back somewhat (maybe every ten days), but do not suspend watering. These orchids like a humidity level of 50 to 70 percent. Brown leaf tips are a sign that the air is too dry for your orchid and you may need a humidifier.

Fertilizer
Feed heavily during the growing season with a weak fertilizer solution containing lots of nitrogen, or use a balanced fertilizer like Peters 20-20-20 at quarter strength with every watering. At the end of the growing season, reduce fertilizer by about half to help provoke a better bloom.

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Temperature
There are considered warm-house plants by growers, meaning they favor conditions in a warm greenhouse. The temperature for these plants should be above 60 F at all times. Although experience has shown they can withstand a few nights down to 50 F, this should be avoided if possible. A slight drop in nighttime temperature will often stimulate a bloom.

Blooming
You can find a wide range in the color, size, and shape of the blooms. The long-lasting sprays of flowers remain in bloom for six to eight weeks. You can use the sprays to use as cut flowers for arrangements. These bloom several times throughout the year, depending on conditions. To help provoke a flower spike, slightly drop the water and nighttime temperature. Also, if a cane loses all its leaves, don't cut it off—they sometimes bloom from old canes.

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https://www.thespruce.com/grow-cane-and-dendrobium-orchids-1902862

Beautiful plant, my friend and Australia’s Native Orchids make a great inclusion into your garden. They may be planted into rockeries or trees, no matter where you put them when they bloom they are sure to make an impact. As these orchids are naturally found here they are ideal for gardens, the orchids we supply (The Spectacular Dendrobium speciosum) are ideally suited to Cool, Temperate and Subtropical Climates. Some prefer a shaded position while others want maximum light – there are orchids for all situations. We get frosts every year and have many orchids included in our gardens. Orchids, like anything else, just like to be put in the right spot and you will be sur.

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We must raise where we are going to plant our orchid above the soil height to allow the water to run away from the plant and also to make it easier for air to reach the root zone. So, we build a ‘Nest’ of rocks to hold our potting mix and orchid, this nest should be no less than 6” (150mm) high. It is a good idea to throw in a layer of rock, broken bricks or similar, this will help get good drainage. With the nest built pour in the potting mix, leave it hilled in the centre as this makes it easier for planting.

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Some orchids will be holding very firm in their pot, to get them out takes a bit of work. If they are too tight to pull out easily lay the pot on it’s side and press down on the side of the pot (for big plants don’t be afraid to use your foot), do this a few times as you roll the pot around – this should loosen your orchid for you. Now we need to prepare the orchid for planting – not hard – orchids are tough don’t worry !! Your orchid should have a stack of roots, during planting a lot of these will be broken then rot away, to avoid this we must prepare the plant. Plant is prepared by cutting off the root system so that only 2-3 inches ( 50 -75mm ) of the root system is left. When cut, using your fingers, loosen the remaing roots. The plant will send out new roots very quickly to anchor itself in place, you will find in 12 months you won’t be able to budge the plant. Your Plant’s Ready. Native Orchids live for a long time, I have a piece of a speciosum that belonged to my Grandma and she passed away nearly 50 years ago.

Thank you @ctrl-alt-nwo

A source of information: http://www.earthtojoy.com.au/guides/orchids.php

Great plant @ctrl-alt-nwo! Dendrobium speciosum is a simply spectacular lithophyte type orchid from the coastal mountain ranges of Australia. Sometimes known as the King of Orchids or ‘Sydney Rock Orchid’, this is not a difficult difficult orchid to grow given appropriate conditions.

Found naturally in the coastal forest regions of eastern Australia from Queensland through to East Gippsland in Victoria. This is a large growing lithophyte or occasionally, epiphyte depending on location.

With such a wide natural range, a large number of sub-species are identified. Just to confuse the average gardener, Dendrobium speciosum has recently been reclassified as Thelychiton speciosus. And it lives up to its name, the second part means beautiful.

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Easily identified by large dark green leaves and huge flower spikes (see picture right) often to over 1m, and flowering in late winter to spring Dendrobium speciosum is a spectacular Orchid.

It is sought after by orchid lovers around the world. Now grown in many countries, including southern Europe and America it is mainly the hybrids that we see for sale.

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Being an orchid that naturally grows on rocks (lithophytes), it also like an open position with good sun for at least part of the day.

Sun is important for good flowering as is appropriate watering.

Generally watering should be less in winter and more during spring through summer. The root system is best if slightly damp. Watering does differ according to sub species.

D. speciosum do not like constantly wet root systems and are best grown in a specialist orchid potting mix or perhaps in a constructed rock formation where the roots may be pushed between rocks. Filtered light with part sun and good air circulation are beneficial.

Given that this is an easy plant to grow, and a beautiful orchid when in full flower the question is, why so rare in cultivation?

The answer is it can take 7 to 12 years to flower, so the commercial growers who only wish to pump out plants as quickly as possible do not bother much, but this wonderful orchid is well worth the wait.

If you are growing these as potted specimens, you must maintain a small pot size, the plant grows best when the roots are constricted. This may mean repotting every 12 months. We suggest using a mix with 33% rock, granite chips if you can find them.

A source: https://www.nurseriesonline.com.au/gardening-articles/dendrobium-speciosum/

Dendrobium speciosum is one of the world's most underrated and exciting of orchids. They are capable of producing possibly the largest display plants and most spectacular shows of mass blooming of any known orchid. Extraordinarily tough, hardy and drought tolerant it should be one of the most cultivated plants ever! It can tolerate near frost to temperatures over 45°c without severe damage.

This orchid is native to a vast section of Australia ranging from Mallacoota (37°33'S) in South-East Victoria to the tropical conditions up past Cairns (16°57′S). Because it is found over such a vast region, botanists have broken the species apart into many subspecies or varieties. It seems every few years they change names again, so we will mainly use the oldest and most accepted names in this guide.

Growing under harsh dry and bright Australian conditions it is the perfect orchid for garden planting in tubs or even half wine barrels. Anywhere worldwide that has similar conditions to south-eastern Australia will be able to grow this orchid with ease. Dendrobium speciosum is particularly suited for growing in southern Italy, Greece, Portugal, Spain, southern France, and California USA.

This is an orchid that thrives on low-medium humidity, bright to very bright light and an open well drained pot with orchid compost.

In almost every occasion I have seen this orchid in the wild, it is growing on granite cliff faces or boulders in open grassy paddocks. The photo below shows just how open bright and exposed these magnificent orchids require. They are huge growers, so in time they may require a giant tub or preferment position in the garden.

Very bright, open, breezy positions seem to be the key to mass blooming. Speciosums can be acclimatised to take 100% full-sun if slowly positioned into brighter and brighter light from late winter onwards. It is in these full sun positions that they will bloom annually without fail. A constantly moist root system is also important, as in natural cliff faces they live on weep moisture constantly.

The speciosum's root systems are always covered with a blanket of moist ferns and mosses. Certain African introduced weeds also grow along with speciosums. A good indicater plant is Plectranthus sp. Wherever this grows, speciosum will too!

Growing dendrobium speciosum is simple. Avoid frosts, unaccustomed hot sun, too much shade (make sure you can see a shadow when placing hand above foliage) and temperatures above 36c if possible.

The orchid trade in Australia has sold speciosum for over 30 years, and much work has been done hybridising many different colour forms and shapes, using the various sub species from up and down the east coast. The most desirable hybrid line bred speciosum is one with intense rich golden yellow colour but not to large in the canes or pseudobulbs.

The far Southern form known as dendrobium speciosum var speciosum is the easiest to grow (and most tolerant of abuse). The deepest colour forms are unusual variants of speciosum var grandiflorum, these may be rich golden yellow, and sometimes in full sun almost a golden orange. This colour form is extremely rare and known from only a very few parents such as "Kroombit Tops" "Mt Larcom Gold" and "Beranghi Gold". Do not expect the deepest colour forms to come easily or cheaply. Generally a good rich daffodil yellow is to be expected.

In nature most clones are a pale lemon or yellow/cream in colour, very rarely are true clear whites seen. These are the rarest colour form. Look for the parent "National White" when trying to obtain a white flowering form. One of the rarest natural forms 'Boreale" from Nth Queensland tends also to be clear white.

The shortest caned forms are the pedunculatum forms from furthest north Queensland. They may have fully mature blooming sized canes at only 3" tall! When bred with the largest caned grandiflorums, it is possible to obtain deep colours but on relatively tiny canes (bonsai)!

For cultivation avoid the hillii variety as this produces clawed tiny blooms in pale creams. Also it produces giant canes with disproportionately tiny blooms. Many of these are exported as grandiflorums, so buyers beware.

We usually sell 50mm tube sized dendrobium speciosum that are 18 months to two years ex vitro. These are 3" tall and will take about 6 years to bloom.

An 80mm size is about 3 years old and about 4-5 years from blooming

Our 100mm advanced size is about 3-4 years out of the bottle and about 2-3 years from blooming.

Pots should always have excellent drainage and not be too large in comparison to the orchid. As they are vigorous growers, re pot annually. The compost should be open well drained and have about 25% rock present.

Feeding is with Peters Excel Hi K 5 grams (1 teaspoon) per 10 litres.

They are virtually free of pests, as their foliage is like heavy gauge plastic (but may occasionally get scale insect)[source](Dendrobium speciosum is one of the world's most underrated and exciting of orchids. They are capable of producing possibly the largest display plants and most spectacular shows of mass blooming of any known orchid. Extraordinarily tough, hardy and drought tolerant it should be one of the most cultivated plants ever! It can tolerate near frost to temperatures over 45°c without severe damage.

This orchid is native to a vast section of Australia ranging from Mallacoota (37°33'S) in South-East Victoria to the tropical conditions up past Cairns (16°57′S). Because it is found over such a vast region, botanists have broken the species apart into many subspecies or varieties. It seems every few years they change names again, so we will mainly use the oldest and most accepted names in this guide.

Growing under harsh dry and bright Australian conditions it is the perfect orchid for garden planting in tubs or even half wine barrels. Anywhere worldwide that has similar conditions to south-eastern Australia will be able to grow this orchid with ease. Dendrobium speciosum is particularly suited for growing in southern Italy, Greece, Portugal, Spain, southern France, and California USA.

This is an orchid that thrives on low-medium humidity, bright to very bright light and an open well drained pot with orchid compost.

In almost every occasion I have seen this orchid in the wild, it is growing on granite cliff faces or boulders in open grassy paddocks. The photo below shows just how open bright and exposed these magnificent orchids require. They are huge growers, so in time they may require a giant tub or preferment position in the garden.

Very bright, open, breezy positions seem to be the key to mass blooming. Speciosums can be acclimatised to take 100% full-sun if slowly positioned into brighter and brighter light from late winter onwards. It is in these full sun positions that they will bloom annually without fail. A constantly moist root system is also important, as in natural cliff faces they live on weep moisture constantly.

The speciosum's root systems are always covered with a blanket of moist ferns and mosses. Certain African introduced weeds also grow along with speciosums. A good indicater plant is Plectranthus sp. Wherever this grows, speciosum will too!

Growing dendrobium speciosum is simple. Avoid frosts, unaccustomed hot sun, too much shade (make sure you can see a shadow when placing hand above foliage) and temperatures above 36c if possible.

The orchid trade in Australia has sold speciosum for over 30 years, and much work has been done hybridising many different colour forms and shapes, using the various sub species from up and down the east coast. The most desirable hybrid line bred speciosum is one with intense rich golden yellow colour but not to large in the canes or pseudobulbs.