Musky-smelling Dendrobium
- Common Name: Musky-smelling Dendrobium
- Scientific Name: Dendrobium moschatum
- Family Name: Orchidaceae
- Origin: South Asia
- Height: 3 to 6 ft
- Width: 1.5 to 2 ft
- Growth: Moderate
- Zone: USDA Zone 11
- Light needs: Part shade or indirect light
- Salt tolerance: Low
- Soil/pH/Texture: This plant is epiphytic and does not need soil to grow – it is best suited for growing on tree branches and other surfaces. If grown in a container, use a potting mix formulated for epiphytic orchids.
- Moisture: Moderate water needs, substrate should remain moist.
- Drought tolerance: Low
- Pests/Diseases: Mites, mealybugs, and other pest insects. Excessive watering may cause root rot and fungal growth.
- Growing conditions: This plant should be grown in a warm, moist area. It should preferably be grown on a tree or other organic surface, as that is how it grows in the wild, but with proper care and the right substrate, it can be kept in a container. Grow outdoors in warm climates and indoors in cooler areas, insuring in both cases that the plant receives indirect, dappled light.
- Characteristics: This large, epiphytic orchid is found growing on trees in the wind, sometimes reaching up to 6 ft in height. The long, thin stems are gray and segmented. Leaves are ovate, pointed, and leathery, growing in opposite pairs along the stem. Flowers emerge in groups of around 10 to 12 at the ends of stems and last for about a week. The flowers are a light, buttery yellow color, fading to light pink at the tips of petals and darkening to a deep red color in the centers.
- Propagation: By cuttings and root division.
- Facts: The flowers have a musky scent, hence the common name.
- Designer considerations: This large, showy orchid can add a tropical ambience both indoors and outdoors. Place them on tree branches and logs to add extra color and texture. It is especially useful for fallen trees.
Musky-smelling Dendrobium
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