Dendrobium lindleyi (syn. aggregatum) - epiphytic species, with distribution from the north-east of India, covering Indochina and Thailand (where it grows on the branches of trees with deciduous leaves, in the mountain area, but also in the southern and south-central regions, at altitudes of 650 - 1400 m), Sikkhim, Bhutan, Burma, Laos, Vietnam and southwest China, Dendrobium aggregatum enjoys a perhaps undeserved reputation among collectors, with followers who support the thesis of the ease of cultivation and the flowering of the species, but also vehement opponents, who the difficulty of obtaining flowering, or even the difficulty of its cultivation.

The genus name, having already been elucidated in previous posts, I would like to draw attention to the specific name, aggregatum , which means aggregate, gathered, grouped, and which most likely refers either to the pseudobulbs, as dense, crowded masses, or to flowers, in abundant bunches. The valid name of the species, Lindleyi , represents the Latin genitive of the name of the great English orchidologist, simply meaning " Lindley's dendrobium ", dedicated to the scientist as a tribute, by the botanist Ernst Gottlieb von Steudel in 1840, when the latter described the presence species.

Valid synonyms are: Callista aggregata, Dendrobium aggregatum, Dendrobium alboviride var. majus, Dendrobium lindleyi var. majus, Epidendrum aggregatum.

Specimens of this species appear starting at altitudes of over 500 m, but there are known cases in which they successfully inhabit warmer or temperate environments, due to the particular adaptability of this taxon to climatic conditions , but regardless of the preferred growth method, the species will always require a high amount of light radiation, water, and a rest during the winter.

Miniature species of the genus, with a total height of 10 - 20 cm, with short pseudobulbs, approximately 5 - 10 cm long, thick, slightly wrinkled, angular, intended to store water reserves and nutrients, crowded together at the base , with slightly pointed tips - forming groups, aggregations, which give the name of the species.

In general, they are covered by a fibrous sheath, similar to the texture of paper, called a sarong (the name of a traditional clothing item in the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia), with the role of protecting new growths, whose removal is not indicated, in the absence of suspicion of infections or infestations with fungal, bacterial or entomological elements. Due to the fact that, following exposure to strong sunlight, the pseudobulbs acquire a reddish tinge, following the accumulation of anthocyanins, with a protective role against sunburn, acquiring an appearance similar to candied figs.

In the case of plant division , it is necessary to take into account that each resulting division is composed of at least 5 - 9 bulbs. The leaves of the specimens of Dendrobium aggregatum are short and thick, hard, single, inserted apically to each pseudobulb, with a central deep vein, relatively elliptical and somewhat rigid, their bending being not recommended.

The color is dark green, but their color lightens with exposure to the sun, an aspect frequently encountered in species of the Dendrobium genus. However, the yellow color of the leaves is a sure indicator that signals the emergence of health problems.

The roots are generally thin and white, with a somewhat hard texture, the growth tips being transparent and green, and at the same time particularly fragile, an aspect that requires careful handling of the plants in case of replanting in other environments and containers.

The flowers are very delicate, 2.5 - 5 cm in diameter, white, yellow or dark orange in color, with a tendency to accentuate the color as they mature, pendulous, starting from a branched and thin floral stem, which emerges from the base of the pseudobulbs and develops completely over several weeks, finally rewarding the passionate and patient breeders.

The labelum is generally orange or yellow, darker at the base. The flowers, in the case of proper care and ensuring adequate humidity, persist on the stems between a week and a month on average. They are flat, without a prominent labelum, carrying a subtle aroma of honey , rather difficult to notice from a distance, but perceptible from up close, especially in the morning and evening hours, the perfume being activated in low light conditions.

Flowering takes place in winter and spring. Inflorescences will bear 10 - 20 flowers, but young plants may have fewer. The flower stalks will not rebloom, and it is necessary to cut them after the flowers have dried and fallen.

Planting will be done using medium-grained pine bark, dry fern, even fragments of teak wood. Mounting on plates is preferred, as this method allows complete drying of the roots between waterings and ensuring air circulation, species of the genus detesting water stagnation around the roots. When mounting, it is recommended to add a layer of sphagnum moss between the support plate and the plant, to avoid it drying out too quickly. The ligature can be made with nylon for fishing, because, unlike metal wire, it does not interact with the environment and does not degrade in the presence of water. The ligatures can be removed after the plant attaches itself to the substrate with the help of roots. In the case of installation in containers, coarse-grained substrate will be used, which dries quickly and ensures water drainage. Dendrobium species do not appreciate intervention at the root level.

The light radiation necessary for good development will be abundant, but diffused light, not direct, will be preferred. Its level will be in the range of 35,000 - 40,000 lux, similar to most Cattleya species. When the pseudobulbs acquire a reddish tinge, it is a sign that the plant receives as much light as it needs, and it will be preferable to keep the respective location, if no sunburn is observed. During the winter rest period, the supply of light energy will be maintained at the same level.

The recommended temperature for this species is 26 - 28 °C during the summer days, and 19 - 20 °C during the nights. During the spring, the daytime temperature will be 30 - 31°C and the night temperature 12 - 19°C, the values ​​during the day will correspond to the range of 25 - 28°C and 9 - 10°C during the night.

Watering , in the case of plants mounted on plates, will be abundant, but atmospheric conditions, more precisely humidity and temperature, will be taken into account. As a general rule, complete or long-term drying will not be allowed. In the case of plants mounted in pots or similar containers, it is recommended to allow the substrate to dry completely, before a new watering.

The relative humidity for this species is 80 - 85% in the growing season, but in winter and spring it is necessary to decrease it to 60 - 65%. Fertilization will be carried out regularly, but under no circumstances more frequently than once a week.

The fertilizer will not be administered to sick plants or those with dry roots, as it can cause the roots to burn. It is recommended to use a dose of 50% of the normal concentration indicated, as well as the use of one with added nitrogen, following that from mid-summer to the end of autumn one with added phosphorus should be used. Winter dormancy will consist of exposure to temperatures of 10 - 15 °C during the night, with slight increases during the day.

Plants can withstand light frosts, but it is not recommended to allow such events. Watering will be gradually reduced and fertilization completely stopped during the rest period , it being possible to resume watering only in cases where excessive wrinkling and raisining of the bulbs is observed, but it must be taken into account that their moderate wrinkling, as well as the partial fall of the leaves, are phenomena normal, typical of the species. Dendrobium lindleyi will bloom even if the temperature during the winter nights is 16 °C, if a rest period without water is ensured, but it will benefit more from ensuring a 10 °C.

Plants that are not provided with this cold and dry rest period will develop keiki instead of flowers. It is possible to completely eliminate watering during the winter - however, the plants will be healthier if during the winter, for the most part, the substrate is left to dry completely between waterings and if the respective drying periods do not last too long. In the 1-2 months after the end of winter, the substrate will be allowed to dry completely between waterings and the drying period until the next watering will be longer. However, sprays can be administered in the morning, to protect the plants from complete drying.

The resting period with reduced water administration will last until the flower stems reach a length of approximately 2.5 cm. Fertilization will be eliminated until spring, when normal watering will resume. The level of light radiation will be kept as high as possible.

Do you want to see more articles and accumulate more knowledge? This article is offered for free, but you can support secretgarden.ro with a review here:

Google: Review on Google

Facebook: Facebook review