A complex, epiphytic, multispecific hybrid, made by successive additions of botanical species, Dendrobium stardust has several color varieties, the most common in the specialty trade being Firebird and Chiyomi, and less common, at least in Romania, the Rainbow varieties Dance and White Swan .

The most striking differences between these varieties are the floral chromatic ones, where Dendrobium Chiyomi will have a predominantly yellow or pale yellow color, Dendrobium Firebird will have an intense orange color, Dendrobium White Swan , as the name suggests, will have a compact white color, with slight occasional shades of pale pink centrally arranged, and in Dendrobium Rainbow Dance the violet-lilac color will predominate, with the white labellum, and shades in gradients towards white in the basal area of ​​the petals and sepals.

In the ascension of this spectacular hybrid, belonging to the Dendrobium section, so common commercially and easy to care for, there are 5 botanical species , with progressive relative weights, which reveals the process of gradual hybridization, in which it was decided to insert one species at a time botanicals in the genealogical tree, along with a hybrid. The only exception in this respect is the second stage of hybridization, where the authors prefer the crossing of two primary hybrids. Although this taxon is often referred to in the specialist trade as a variety or a hybrid of the noble species, nevertheless, the percentage of species clearly indicates the dominance of the unicum species , present with 50%, as it is introduced in the formula at the last crossing. This is followed by the species Dendrobium moniliform e, with 25%, followed by the species Dendrobium nobile , which totals 12.5%, being present in equal proportions in the two primary hybrids crossed in the second stage of hybridization, namely the ainsworthii (Den. heterocarpum (6.25%) X Den. nobile(6.25%)), respectively Wiganiae (Den. nobile (6.25%)X Den. signatum(6.25%)) . This hybrid was created in 1986 by Nobuyuki Asai and his team from Asai Daikeikan Co Ltd. in Aichi - Ken (Japan). The crossings were started in 1986, but the patent for this hybrid was registered in the United States of America only in 2000.

In fact, the chronology of events is much more complex, and we will reproduce it briefly, just to illustrate the efforts and the long period of time that are usually behind the launch of a new hybrid. In 1980, the species Dendrobium unicum was crossed with the multigeneric hybrid Dendrobium Unkon, resulting in plants that were placed in bottles starting in October of the same year. The specimens were grown to maturity, when they flowered, and the new grex epithet Stardust was registered at the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society), the International Authority for the Registration of Orchid Hybrids, in 1986, by N. Asai. From this group of plants , the Firebird hybrid was selected and reproduced vegetatively, by isolating those plants that showed the desired characteristics, in terms of the number of flowers, compact growth and fast growth. Meristematic culture techniques were applied to this batch, and after a long period of testing, which lasted until 1993, when the retention of characteristics by reproductive products was noted, the batch was tested for immunity against Dendrobium virus, Dendrobium Thabdo virus, and Tomato spotted wilt virus, this showing favorable results. The plants were kept in the greenhouses in Aichi-ken, where the minimum temperature did not drop below 13 degrees.

The colors recorded for this hybrid are relatively approximate, depending to a large extent on the cultivation techniques applied, such as exposure to light radiation and the type of fertilization, but without inducing changes at the genotype level. The aspects that categorically differentiate the cultivar Firebird from the related cultivar Chiyomi, unpatented, were successively observed, consisting in the fact that in Firebird the lateral petals are twisted in the opposite direction compared to the petals of the cultivar Chiyomi, and the area with a checkered red-dark orange appearance is present in Firebird it differs significantly from the color model from Chiyomi.

From the point of view of growth rate, Firebird dendrobium specimens grow extremely fast, producing plants suitable for sale in the spring, being 12-14 months necessary to produce specimens suitable for flowering from stem segments. The minimum typical height of the plants at the age of flowering at Stardust is approximately 35-40 cm. The typical flowering season is between October and May, its peak being in March, but flowering is also frequently noted outside the season. The flowers persist on the stems for 6 to 8 weeks . The flowers are simple, monoecious, presenting both male and female sexual organs on the same flower.

The raceme has a medium size, and is always in an erect position, always including two to three flowers, inserted on short pedicels. The shape of the leaf is mostly elongated and elliptical to ovate, with an uneven obtuse apex, with a horizontal orientation. The leaves do not persist on pseudobulbs for more than 2-3 years, the absence of leaves on a bulb can successfully indicate their minimum age. Each pseudobulb has 7-10 leaves with an entire margin. The pseudobulbs viewed from the front are linear, long, segmented, growing relatively aggregated, and round in section, their thickness rarely exceeding 1.5-2 cm. The length of the pseudobulbs is deeply influenced by the availability of light radiation, the stronger it is, the shorter the pseudobulbs.

Propagation is easily achieved from keiki, which the plant produces frequently and naturally, without the need for stimulation in this sense. They generally develop from the lower bracts of the inflorescences, and the resulting seedlings can be detached from the mother plant after the development of the roots. To stimulate root development, it is recommended to cover the surface of the joint site with moist sphagnum moss.

The ideal lighting for this hybrid must be abundant, but without direct access to the sun's rays, which can cause burns on the leaves and pseudobulbs. In the situation where the light is sufficiently abundant, the coloring of the leaves in greenish yellow will be observed, an aspect sometimes considered by inexperienced enthusiasts to be a condition.

The growing temperature can be variable, but the hybrid belongs to a rather mixed regime, with the following recommended temperatures: during the summer, exposure to temperatures higher than 32 degrees will not be allowed, and in the winter, the minimums will not drop below 5-18 degrees . For a successful cultivation in the apartment, a temperature difference between day and night of approximately 4-6 degrees is recommended.

From the point of view of humidity , this taxon does not require high values, which can vary from 40 to 60%. Lower values ​​generate inhibition of growth, yellowing of leaves and their premature fall. The more a higher growth temperature is chosen, the more it will be necessary to change to higher values ​​and atmospheric humidity, taking into account to associate this thermal/hydric increase with an adequate level of ventilation, in order to prevent the appearance of fungal diseases.

The culture substrate is recommended only in the case of using narrow pots, often suspended, the massive ceramic ones being preferred, which give the plants stability following the excessive development of the pseudobulbs in length, which can thus cause the containers to overturn. This hybrid shows no special preferences for substrate types, growing surprisingly well in peat or sphagnum moss substrates, minimal granulation bark or coconut fiber.

Frequent transplants are not necessary , these being recommended only in case of excessive compaction of the substrate, dramatic change in chemistry (pH), or in cases where the plants exceed the pot too much. The recommended period for transplants is during the spring, when the new growths have reached the size of 5 cm and have their own roots.

Irrigation will be frequent and abundant during the growth period , but it will be considered to have effective drainage, to prevent water stagnation in the substrate and the installation of molds and rots of the root system. Consistent drying of the substrate between waterings is necessary.

Fertilization will be carried out at intervals of 2-3 weeks during the growth period, at the concentration indicated on the containers. It is also recommended the additional administration of foliar fertilizer, at high dilution, of 10-25% of the recommended dose, applied by spraying. The ideal fertilization method will consist of alternating the two techniques.

This hybrid requires a well-defined rest period to stimulate re-blooming. This begins with the maturation of the young pseudobulbs, when they complete their growth, presenting a rounded apical area, with a single apically expanded leaf. At this moment, it will be opted for the slight decrease in the level of humidity and temperature, and by stopping fertilizing. The temperature should not rise above the values ​​of 16-18 degrees during the day and 10 degrees during the night. Sometimes it is indicated to stop irrigation as well, or to replace it with light sprays, repeated monthly. With the appearance of the new flower stalks, the rest period will be completed, opting for the return to the current routine.

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