Dendrobium Nora Tokunaga - Primary hybrid consisting of two species that both belong to the Latouria section, and are endemic to Papua - New Guinea, has a relatively similar appearance to Dendrobium Roy Tokunaga, but with much more compact stems, at least from the point of view of size.

With particular preferences for a moderately warm, moderately lit climate, and with multiple annual blooms, which reveals flowers with impressive chromaticity, colored in white, green and pink, Nora Tokunaga is perhaps one of the representatives of the Dendrobium genus that is the easiest to grow and bloom in apartment conditions, an aspect that recommends it both to enthusiasts at the beginning of an orchid collection, but also to experienced ones , who especially appreciate the durable, resistant flowers, which can be admired for several months (not weeks!!!) arranged on stems branched and multifloral.

The flower-bearing stems, generally developed in previous years, with heights approximately 5 cm higher and with double diameters compared to the younger ones, develop apically branched flower stems on which large flowers open, approximately 7 cm wide, measured by at the tip of the lateral petals, and 5 cm high, from the tip of the vetical tepal to the tip of the voluminous labellum, whose central lobe is narrower than the lateral petals, and of similar length to the sepals, the lateral lobes recurved centrally, shorter than the lateral petals but significantly wider than these, being rounded at the tips, and with crenellated - wavy edges.

The general color is white, for the sepals and petals, with pink or more intense blue marbling dorsally, but which can be seen through the partial transparency of the petals on the ventral side as well. The chromatic pattern of the sepals is represented by points or spots of remarkable diameter, over 1 mm, which can fuse in longitudinal rows, and of the lateral petals, by a visibly fused band, arranged centrally. The central lobe of the labellum is similarly colored with the sepals, presenting the same punctuation as them, also arranged dorsally, and on the lateral lobes there is a consistent lineation, visible ventrally, with a radial arrangement from the center to the marginal area, where it does not merge with the marginal band of pale violet color ventrally and deep purple dorsally. The flowers, numbering 1-5 per floral stem, bloom dissociated, relatively sequentially, several times on the same floral stem, giving a special and long-lasting chromatic show. Some breeders specify the presence of a scent, while others claim its complete absence.

With a special tolerance to thermal values , Dendrobium Nora Tokunaga stands out as a relatively easy specimen to grow, which does not cause problems for enthusiasts. Nora Tokunaga is a hybrid created by Roy Tokunaga, one of the two renowned experts of the Hawaiian greenhouses H&R Nurseries INC, and dedicated to his wife, Nora.

The high tolerance to the variations of the culture environment is also noticeable with regard to the substrate , as there are mentions of the growth and re-blooming of this hybrid including in hydroponic systems, but classic systems, in pots, with pine bark substrate are generally preferred. volcanic tuff, perlite, expanded ceramic balls, coal and pumice stone. Unlike other species or hybrids belonging to the Dendrobium genus, Nora Tokunaga prefers moderate lighting and weekly fertilization , at dilutions of 25-50% of the recommended dose. It is not mandatory to ensure a period of rest in order to obtain reblooms, as this wonderful Dendrobium will bloom both in conditions of constant growth and in the situation of reducing the frequency of irrigation to intervals of two weeks.

The recommended level of light radiation will be in the range of 20,000 - 30,000 lux, the flowering of plants being possible even under conditions of growth exclusively under broad-spectrum artificial lights.

The growing temperatures belong to the moderate-warm register, falling between 24-28 °C during the day and 20-22 °C for the night temperatures.

From the point of view of the relative humidity of the air , the ideal value will fall between 70-80%.

The culture medium , as was briefly mentioned previously, will be represented by pine bark, pieces of coconut fiber, or other substrates of hard and woody consistency, with the condition of ensuring a high level of humidity, ensuring daily irrigation, in the case of mounting on bark plates. However, if you choose to cultivate the specimens in pots, you will opt for the smallest possible sizes, preferring ceramic containers to plastic ones. A necessary requirement for the selection of a suitable substrate is represented by ensuring minimum compaction and maximum aeration of the culture medium. You can opt for changing the substrate, the containers or making divisions at any time you will notice the development of new roots.

Irrigations will be plentiful throughout the year, but vary depending on the season, in relation to the light intensity and temperature values, which will affect the growth rate of the plants and implicitly the water assimilation rate. It will be taken into account that the substrate is constantly moist, without being wet and without allowing the water to stagnate in the containers.

Fertilization will be carried out weekly or every two weeks, at concentrations of 25-50% of the dose recommended in the instructions for use, being used in this sense a balanced fertilizer in ingredients for the whole year.

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