Dendrobium parishii is a deciduous orchid native to lower elevations in Southeast Asia. The thickened stems are usually prostrate or pendulous, to ½ inch (1.3 cm) thick by 12 inches (30 cm) long. They are easy to culture and a good orchid for beginners.
Blooming: In late spring to early summer, the 2 inch (5 cm) wide rose to lilac purple flowers appear on leafless stems.
Culture: Dendrobium parishii need full sun to partial shade with fast draining compost. In the greenhouse, we use a compost consisting of Osmunda fiber and long fibred sphagnum moss with small bark chips added to help with drainage. During the growing season, water freely and fertilize every other week with a high nitrogen fertilizer or an orchid special fertilizer. In the fall, temperatures should be dropped to around 55° F (13°C) for the winter rest period. Water should be restricted at this time and no fertilizer is needed. Plants should be given full sun during this period to help improve flower initiation.
Propagation: Dendrobium parishii are propagated by division after flowering.
Dendrobium parishii was featured as Plant of the Week February 11-17, 2005.
Guide to Past Plants-of-the-Week:
Cal's Plant of the Week was provided as a service by the University of Oklahoma Department of Microbiology & Plant Biology and specifically the late Cal Lemke, who used to be OU's botany greenhouse grower and an avid gardener at home as well. If the above links don't work, then try the overview site. You may also like to look at the thumbnail index. ©1998-2017 All rights reserved.