Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Dendrobium sulphureum

My Dendrobium sulphureum is in full bloom once again with its unusually colored flowers.  This species belongs to the Oxyglossum section of the genus Dendrobium, but is a larger plant than many in that section.  My plant has cane-like growths 13 cm tall with two or three 3 cm flowers at the tip of each growth.  Each cane continues to produce flowers for several years, even after the leaves have fallen away.


There are three varieties of this species, distinguished primarily on the basis of growth habit.  My plant was obtained as variety sulphureum and does indeed appear to be that variety.  Its longer canes distinguish it from variety cellulosum and its softer leaves from variety rigidifolium.  The soft yellow color of the flowers with their green, orange-tipped labellum are its most attractive feature, however.


4 comments:

  1. Hi, Ron! I am a big fan of Dendrobium in general, but your sulphureum species is just awesome! So beautiful and delicate, I didn't know it. Thank you for sharing these professional pictures!

    All the best,

    Sergio

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    1. As I've noted in the post, Sergio, this is from New Guinea and is cool growing. It is also not very common in cultivation. The flowers are actually a bit more yellow than the photos show. Thanks for the kind compliments.

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  2. Nossa...que Dendrobium mais lindo, fiquei de boca aberta.
    Parabéns pela planta-cultivo e Imagens.
    Abraços

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    1. Thanks for looking and commenting, Elizabete. Your interest is very much appreciated.

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