Dendrobium aberrans Schltr. 1912 is a small-sized botanical orchid species, atypical in appearance - it has stems that look more like bulbs than "reeds", this fact probably influencing the name "aberrans".
The valid synonyms for Dendrobium Aberrans are Sayeria aberrans (Schltr.) Rauschert, Feddes Repert. 94 (1983) 466 and Asarum aberrans (Schltr.) Archila, Revista Guatemalensis 18(1) (2015) 31, nom. illeg. (not Asarum L.), the latter synonym however being illegitimate.
Dendrobium Aberrans was described in 1912 by Friedrich Richard Rudolf Schlechter, a German taxonomist and botanist (October 16, 1872 - November 16, 1925), author of important works on orchids, synthesizing his research in Africa, Indonesia, New Guinea, Central and South America, and Australia. His vast herbarium, with numerous valuable specimens, was destroyed during the bombings of Berlin in 1945.
The systematic classification of this botanical species is as follows: subfamily Epidendroideae, tribe Dendrobieae, subtribe Dendrobiinae, genus Dendrobium, section Latouria, species Dendrobium Aberrans.
Dendrobium Aberrans presents as an epiphytic species, with aggregated pseudobulbs, tightly grouped, narrowly clavate, glossy, dark green with khaki, olive, or even brown shades towards the apical area, 3 - 20 cm long and 0.4 - 1.3 cm wide, arranged on rhizomes with 3 - 4 nodes. The leaves, 3.5 - 10.2 cm long and 1.6 - 3.1 cm wide, inserted apically on the pseudobulbs, elliptic-lanceolate in shape, acute or acuminate, are leathery. The inflorescences are multiple, often appearing several on the same pseudobulb, pendulous, erect or arcuate-pendulous, on 6 - 8 cm long stems, with thin peduncles, with a graceful appearance, provided with ovate-elliptic, acute bracts, 2 - 4.5 mm long. The flowers open wide, presenting a dorsal sepal in an elliptical and obtuse form, 7 mm long and 5 mm wide, and lateral sepals oblong-elliptic, obtuse, 7 - 9 mm long and 6.5 mm wide. The presence of a subglobose mentum, 5 mm long, is notable. The petals are lanceolate, rounded at the apex, 6.5 mm long and 3 mm wide, with protruding apical margins. The labellum is clavate, opens wide, trilobed, with a flabellate outline, with pronounced raised venation. It is 1 cm long and 1.4 cm wide, with obovate lateral lobes, with prominent margins on the central lobe, considerably smaller than those on the lateral lobes and deeply notched towards half the length. The column, small in size, with a fleshy callus, presents three discrete ridges, is 2 mm long, and is recurved.
A botanical species with a distinct presence within the genus Dendrobium, belonging to the Latouria section, whose members have a mentum rather sac-like or sub-sac-like than conical, in lateral view. Equally, the labellum also has a distinct appearance, being rather wide than long and with lateral lobes generally larger than the median lobe, the latter being deeply notched. Dendrobium Aberrans stands out through the presence of white or cream-white flowers, particularly impressive, fragrant, often marked with shades of pink in the column area.
With a distribution covering Papua New Guinea, especially the western area, where it populates epiphytic stations in Castanopsis, Nothofagus forests, and tree ferns, at altitudes between 300 and 1900 m, from the Bowutu (Maboro) mountains to the south of the city of Lae.
In its natural environment, Dendrobium Aberrans blooms in May, June, August, and December.
The value of light radiation for this species will be within the range of 20000 - 30000 lux, indicating this taxon's preference for strong light but without direct sunlight.
Growth temperature can be constant throughout the year, with an average daytime temperature of 25 - 28 ℃ and minimum nighttime temperatures of 16 - 17 ℃.
Humidity should optimally be between 80 - 85% throughout the year, considering that a lower level affects plant development and inhibits growth, causing underdevelopment of pseudobulbs.
As substrate, mounting on bark plaques or cork can be chosen if an optimal humidity level is provided, but for convenience and efficiency, planting in pots with substrates with strong drainage is recommended - represented by large-grain bark or pieces of 1 - 2 cm diameter compacted coconut fiber. Changing the substrate, culture containers, and dividing for this species can be done at any time, as long as new root growth is observed.
Irrigation must be both abundant and frequent, with a slight reduction in volume during the winter period. It is recommended to avoid complete drying of the substrate.
Fertilization will be done weekly, at 50% concentration of the recommended dose on the bottle, using a balanced fertilizer.
Rest period will be ensured during winter, when the amount of water administered will be reduced for days with shorter duration and lower light intensity. Along with the reduction of irrigation, the cessation of fertilizer application will also be chosen.
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