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Conservatory Greenhouse

Dendrobium cuthbertsonii

A miniature, epiphytic or lithophytic orchid with clump-forming, 5-8cm long stems carrying fleshy, rough-textured leaves. Each small, lance-shaped leaf is 0.5-4cm long. Solitary flowers appear on short stems from mature pseudobulbs. The flowers are 3-4cm large, and vary in colour from white, through pale pink to orange, dark red and can also be two-toned.

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Ultimate height

Up to 10cm

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

0–0.1 metre

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or West–facing or North–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1C

Botanical details

Family: Orchidaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Dendrobium are epiphytic and terrestrial orchids with elongated, stem-like pseudobulbs bearing linear to ovate leaves. Racemes or panicles of showy flowers are produced from nodes along the stems mainly in spring
Name status: Correct
Plant range: New Guinea

How to grow

Cultivation

This tropical, highland orchid species requires specific growing conditions to grow well. Plants are best grown in pot with fresh sphagnum moss, or mounted if sufficient humidity can be provided. Moss should be replaced regularly - every, or every other spring when the new growth starts. Humidity of over 80% and excellent air movement are essential. To grow well, plant requires a temperature of 10-15°C between day and night. This species has exceptionally long-lasting flowers that can last up to one year if grown in optimal environment. See indoor orchid cultivation

Propagation

Propagation by seed is only possible in controlled laboratory environment.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required.

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects, aphids, mealybugs and glasshouse red spider mite.

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

Get involved

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