Dendrobium aphyllum krairith

Dendrobium aphyllum (old classification was pierardii)

The species was discovered by William Roxburgh in southern India and described in his book Plants of the Coast of Coromandel in 1795. 

Dendrobium aphyllum is a large epiphytic orchid known for its long pendant canes. Flowers are pink with white lip. Native to China, India and South East Asia. 

Aphyllum typically grows on trees in nature. Can be grown mounted on wood or even rock. It is known to grow on limestone cliffs in some regions of it's home range. 

Blooms last 10 days to two weeks. Light fragrance*. Beautiful planted in mass (see pic)

Appreciate high light. We keep aphyllum with our Vandas. Very easy to grow and great for beginners! 

Leaves drop in the fall and go dominant. Reduce water and no fertilizer for this rest period.  It is said the dryer the winter the better the blooms. In the spring when buds emerge on the canes resume water and fertilizer. 

Blooming Size Plant: Yes  *Blooming size plants- This does not mean you will receive a plant in bud or bloom.

Mounted:  Mounted on beautiful and fragrant cedar wood. Comes with stainless steel "S" hook. No two plants are the same.  Pics are for reference only. 

Remember if you buy bare root: you need to trim away dead roots, do not over water when you first plant, make sure the orchid does NOT move in the pot at all so they get established.  Plants may have leaf bruises or blemishes. This is part of buying a plant at this stage when it is so inexpensive. 

Dendrobiums are among the most commonly encountered orchids in the retail trade. Like most other cultivated orchids, dendrobiums are epiphytes, or air plants, with well-developed water-storage organs called pseudobulbs, often referred to as "canes" due to their upright, leafy appearance. Dendrobium aphyllum should be potted in porous, free-draining media or mounted.

Light

Sufficient light is crucial for healthy growth and flower production of dendrobium aphyllum. Provide bright light, up to 50 percent sun. In the home, place them in an east, west, or lightly shaded south window. In a greenhouse, provide about 30 to 50 percent of full sun. Under lights, use four 40-watt fluorescent tubes and two 40-watt incandescent bulbs directly over the plants. Dendrobium aphyllum should be naturally erect, with minimal staking, and display a medium olive-green color.

Temperature

Mature dendrobium aphyllum orchids need a 15 to 20°F difference between night and day. Provide nights of 60 to 65°F and days of 80 to 90°F. Temperatures up to 95 to 100°F are beneficial if humidity and air circulation are increased. Low temperatures (below 50°F) may cause leaf drop.

Water

Keep aphyllum evenly moist while in active growth. Allow them to dry between waterings once growth is mature, indicated by the presence of a terminal leaf.

Humidity

Dendrobium aphyllum need 50 to 60 percent humidity. In the home, place them on trays over moistened pebbles. In a greenhouse, use a humidifier if conditions are too dry.

Fertilizer

Fertilize regularly during the active growing period. The type of fertilizer you use will depend on the potting mix. A good general rule is to apply a balanced (10-10-10, 12-12-12, or similar ratio) fertilizer "weakly, weekly," meaning fertilize every week at one-quarter to one-half of the recommended dilution.

Potting

Repot dendrobiums every two to three years, before the potting mix breaks down. Pot them firmly in a medium that provides aeration and ample drainage, allowing enough room for two years' growth. Dendrobium aphyllum grow best mounted.

***The ability to smell a certain orchid fragrance is very subjective to that particular individual’s olfactory senses.  Your ability/inability to smell a flower in bloom does not mean the flower is without fragrance.  Please keep this in mind. 

Pictures on this website are representations of the flowers we have in bloom.  Colors and tones very greatly based on your computer/phone screen.  Another factor determining color is  the fact some orchids are mericlone and some are seedlings.  Seedlings will always vary.  We make no guarantees about specific orchid flower colors.