Dendrobium agathodaemonis

Dendrobium agathodaemonis is very closely related to Dendrobium cuthbertsonii and considered to be the same species by some.  To my mind, however, they are quite different, the former species having very thin growths and flowers without the dark lip markings that Dendrobium cuthbertsonii has.  This is a plant I grew from a seedling and which has rather small but very clear red flowers.  The plant is only a couple of centimeters tall and the flowers around three centimeters long.  Like its close relative, it is from New Guinea and is cool growing.

Dendrobium agathodaemonis

Dendrobium agathodaemonis is usually considered a synonym of Dendrobium cuthbertsonii and comparing this post with the previous will certainly show why.  If there are any reason to consider them separate species then the lack of dark markings on the lip and the very thin growths distinguish this species.  The growth on my plant are 1 cm tall and produce 3 cm flowers.  My plant is grown on a piece of cedar and the flowers are pendant.

Dendrobium agathodaemonis

Dendrobium agathodaemonis is considered by some to be a synonym of Dendrobium cuthbertsonii.  To me, however, there are obvious differences, though they may not warrant species status.  Even though the flowers are of the same shape and size as Dendrobium cuthbertsonii, they lack the dark markings on the lip and have growths that are much thinner.  Both of these features are obvious in the following photos.  Like its near relative it is a prolific bloomer when grown well and has flowers that last many months.

Dendrobium agathodaemonis (red)

Dendrobium agathodaemonis is very closely related to Dendrobium cuthbertsonii and considered to be the same species by some.  To my mind, however, they are quite different, the former species having very thin growths and flowers without the dark lip markings that Dendrobium cuthbertsonii has.  This is a plant I grew from a seedling and which has rather small but very clear red flowers.  The plant is only a couple of centimeters tall and the flowers around three centimeters long.  Like its close relative, it is from New Guinea and is cool growing.

Dendrobium agathodaemonis (pink)

Dendrobium agathodaemonis is considered by many to be a synonym of Dendrobium cuthbertsonii.  To the untrained eye, however, there are obvious differences, though they may not warrant species status.  Dend. agathodaemonis, though the flowers are of the same shape and size as Dendrobium cuthbertsonii, lacks the dark markings on the lip and has growths that are much thinner.  Both of these features are obvious in the following photos.  Like its near relative it is a prolific bloomer when grown well and has flowers that come in a rainbow of colors ( I have a red clone as well) and last many months.

Dendrobium agathodaemonis

Dendrobium agathodaemonis is a tiny plant, only a couple of centimeters tall with a mat thin little stems, each with a few leaves, but it produces flowers that dwarf the plant, about three centimeters long and in this case a cherry red color.  I have another clone that is pink with a white lip, but these flowers are completely red.  The plant is blooming from seed for the first time.

Dendrobium agathodaemonis is closely related to Dendrobium cutherbertsonii and some consider it a variety of that species.  There are obvious differences, though perhaps not enough to make it a species in its own right.  The lip does not have the dark coloration of Dendrobium cuthbertsonii and the growths are thin and wiry rather than having distinct pseudobulbs.

Dendrobium agathodaemonis

This plant is often considered to be a variety of Dendrobium cuthbertsonii, which it does resemble in some respects.  It is different, however, in the fact that the growths are generally smaller and thinner than those of cuthbertsonii, and the flowers lack the dark coloring on the midlobe of the lip - they are pure white in this case.  My plant is 4 cm tall with flowers that are very close to that size and which dwarf the plant.  The plant is a prolific bloomer with long-lasting flowers and is in bloom nearly year around.  It is native to Papua New Guinea.  The flowers are semi-pendant and the plant, for that reason, is best grown on a mount.