Dendrobium crumenatum, commonly called the Dove Orchid, Pigeon Orchid, and Thunderstorm Orchid, is an epiphytic orchid native to Asia, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Christmas Island. It is found in dry lowland forests and woodlands at elevations up to 500 meters as a small to large sized, hot to warm growing epiphyte with long, slender, spindle-shaped, pendant canes, carrying 4 to 20, thick, leathery, leaves. It blooms freely in late winter, spring and summer on the upper nodes of leafless older canes with several to many (10—15) jasmine-scented flowers. Blooms are fairly short-lived, usually lasting only 1—2 days, but plants are free-flowering and may bloom multiple times a year, particularly during the rainy season. Can rebloom on old canes.
This is an easy to grow species that blooms in sprays of fragrant small white flowers that, to some, resemble small white birds. Den. crumenatum is called the Thunderstorm Orchid because of its propensity to flower in conjunction with thunderstorms and associated changes in barometric pressure and temperature. This species has a tendency to form keiki (baby plant) at the nodes, which can be removed and potted or mounted when there are 3 small canes and the roots are a couple inches long. This plant can be grown in a pot, hanging basket, or mounted on a tree or large plaque. It can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and can be grown outdoors in areas like south Florida where summers are hot and winters are mild and frost free. Den. crumenatum should be grown in bright diffused light with moderate to high humidity, water and fertilizer, and good air circulation. Stop fertilizer and reduce watering in fall. It is normal for the leaves to turn yellow and eventually fall off in winter.
#dendrobium #species #freeflowering #fragrant #easy #pot #mount #hangingbasket #outdoors #frostfree #deciduous