Dendrobium orchids

Dendrobium is one of the largest orchid genera, with over a thousand species spread from India through Southeast Asia to Australia and the Pacific. The name means "tree-dwelling", reflecting the genus's predominantly epiphytic habit. Growth forms range from deciduous cane-forming species to evergreen tropical types, and habitats span cool montane cloud forests to hot coastal lowlands. No single care regimen covers all Dendrobiums.

For growers, the genus splits into practical subgroups: nobile-type hybrids (based on Dendrobium nobile and its kin) need a cool dry winter rest to flower; phalaenopsis-type hybrids (unrelated to true Phalaenopsis despite the name) flower in warm household conditions without a rest; section Latouria and section Spatulata species each bring their own requirements.

General care for the genus (species, hybrids and cultivars vary, so check with the grower for a specific plant): bright light (2,000 to 3,000 footcandles) for most types, heavy watering during active growth, a distinct rest period for deciduous types. Warm-growing phalaenopsis-types skip the rest. Medium fir bark in small pots, or mounted for dry-rest species.

Prominent species include Dendrobium nobile, Dendrobium kingianum, Dendrobium aggregatum (now Dendrobium lindleyi), Dendrobium anosmum, and Dendrobium spectabile. Listings below come from the nurseries we index, most of them re-checked nightly; prices are shown in USD.