Dendrobium phalaenopsis 

These Dendrobiums resemble the Moth Orchids (Phalaenopsis). They are the most common type of Dendrobium in the marketplace. They are warm growers with thin, tall pseudobulbs, up to 20 terminal inflorescences gracefully hanging down, usually blooming in the fall or twice a year. They include species such as Den. affine, Den. bigibbum, Den. dicuphum and Den. williamsianum. 

• Grow warm year round with night temperatures of 60ºF (15ºC).
• Water and fertilize heavily when roots appear from new growth.
• Reduce water and fertilizer after growth finishes.
• Need bright indirect light with strong ventilation.
• Provide a 3-4 week dry rest period after flowering with cooler temperatures (55ºF - 13ºC). When the orchid is warmed again (60ºF -15ºC), another growth may mature during winter and flower in the spring.
• Evergreen, these orchids will become deciduous if grown too cool and dry.
• Dendrobium phalaenopsis are regarded as beginner orchids since they are fairly easy to maintain healthy during the year.

Dendrobium spatulata

Dendrobium spatulata orchids (Antelope Type) are hot, tropical, evergreen orchids, usually large and vigorous with long-lasting flowers in summer to several times a year. They are characterized by long, horn-like projections that spiral into unique-shaped flowers, resembling antelope horns. They include species such as Den. antennatum, Den. canaliculatum, Den. discolor, Den. gouldii, Den. johannis, Den. lineale (veratrifolium), Den. stratiotes, Den. strebloceras and Den. taurinum. Evergreen for several years.

• Grow warm year round with night temperatures of 60-65ºF (15-18ºC) and daytime temperatures of 75 to 90ºF (24-32ºC).
• No rest period.
• Water and fertilize heavily when roots appear from new growth.
• Need bright to very bright indirect light with strong ventilation. They can grow in full sunlight as long as it is not during the hottest part of the day.
• Dendrobium spatulata are not recommended for beginners since they require higher humidity and higher light requirements, which are hard to maintain all year round.

Dendrobium

Dendrobiums are the most common type of Dendrobium species. Most of the plants are pendulous, with leaves all along the canes that most often drop with the onset of cooler, drier weather. They boast one to five flowers per node of the leafless canes in midwinter through early spring.

Group 1: Includes species such as Den. chrysanthum, Den. friedricksianum, Den. nobile and Den.wardianum

• Growth period in summer
• Provide warmth, water and fertilize heavily from when roots appear until the top leaf appears on canes.
• Then give high light, little or no water, no fertilizer, cool nights, 40-50ºF (4-10ºC). 

Group 2: Includes species such as Den. anosmum (superbum), Den. crassinode, Den. falconeri, Den. fimbriatum, Den. findlayanum, Den. heterocarpum (aureum), Den. loddigesii, Den. moniliforme, Den. parishii, Den. primulinus and Den. transparens.

• Growth period in summer
• Provide warmth, water and fertilize heavily from when roots appear until the top leaf appears on canes.
• Then give high light, little or no water, no fertilizer, cool nights, 55ºF (12ºC). 
• Deciduous species need virtually no water in winter.

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Dendrobium latouria

These orchids include about 60 species with large and leathery leaves borne at the top of the pseudobulbs, erect inflorescences with usually yellow-green flowers. They include species such as Den. atroviolaceum, Den. macrophyllum and Den. spectabile.

• Same cultural growing requirements as the antelope types, but cooler and drier when resting in winter.
• These orchids are good for intermediate beginners since they can tolerate small mistakes.

Dendrobium formosae

These orchids produce cane-like pseudobulbs, with black hairs on leaf sheaths and pseudobulbs often apparent, leading to the popular name nigrohirsutae. The long-lasting flowers are usually white, up to 4 in. across (10 cm), and wonderful when in bloom. two to three together from near the end of the pseudobulb. They include species such as Den. bellatulum, Den. dearii, Den. draconis, Den. formosum, Den. infundibulum, Den. lowii, Den. lyonii, Den. margaritaceum, Den. sanderae and Den. schuetzii.

• Grow in intermediate to cool temperatures year-round, with night temperatures of 50-60ºF (10-15ºC) and daytime temperatures of max 85ºF (24-32ºC).
• Water and fertilize when growing
• Give a slight short rest (dry) when growth is finished. Keep barely moist until growth starts again.

Dendrobium callista

Most of these orchids are pseudobulbous plants with pendent inflorescences. They include species such as Den. aggregatum or lindleyi, Den. chrysotoxum, Den. densiflorum, Den. farmeri and Den. thyrsiflorum.

Summer: give warmth (60 to 90 F), medium light, medium quantities of water, and fertilizer. Winter: keep cool (50 F nights), medium light, just enough water to keep pseudobulbs from shriveling, no fertilizer.

• Needs bright indirect light with excellent good ventilation. 
• Needs 60-90°F (15-32°C) in summer.
• This plant should be kept moist during the growing season.
• Feed once a week from spring to mid-summer with a high nitrogen fertilizer. Then use a high phosphorus fertilizer until the end of the fall.
• Needs a dry resting period during the winter months. It must be exposed to moderately low temperatures, 50°F (10°C), to induce flowering. Maintain high light during this period and reduce watering to just enough to keep the plant from shriveling. Fertilization should be eliminated until spring when more watering is undertaken. Begin watering again once the flower buds appear.

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