Dendrobium speciosum

[TyroneGenade]

Here my bonsai Dendrobium speciosum. It is a rare dwarf subspecies that is still completely unknown in Australia.

Do you know if this is available in the US? I have always want a speciosum but now that I have to grow indoors a monster plant is out of the question. I used to grow Delicatum outdoors in SA and it is remarkable how quickly these plants can become monsters.

 

[DrLeslieEe]

Here my bonsai Dendrobium speciosum. It is a rare dwarf subspecies that is still completely unknown in Australia.
Mother,
child

View attachment 24623

View attachment 24624

Very cute.

Whats the origin (wild or bred) and are flowers miniature too? Other leave or color forms too?

 

[Berthold]

Very cute.

Whats the origin (wild or bred) and are flowers miniature too? Other leave or color forms too?

Sorry i lied. It's just a young plant at the age of my granddaughter. She is 12 now.

Here is a somewhat older plant in my daughter's age.
This species grows very slowly about the same speed as us humans

 

[DrLeslieEe]

Sorry i lied. It's just a young plant at the age of my granddaughter. She is 12 now.

Here is a somewhat older plant in my daughter's age.
This species grows very slowly about the same speed as us humans

View attachment 24633

You got me!!! I had really wished for a bonsai speciosum lol.

 

[Babybloomer]

You got me!!! I had really wished for a bonsai speciosum lol.

There are basically about 6 or 7 geographical forms of speciosum although genetic analysis suggests only 2 subspecies at most. This comes from a website of Gerry Walsh better Know as the Rocklily Man.
This is his site, TheRockLilyMan – You've found the home page of Gerry Walsh
full of great info and photos, including lots of in situ photos.

The most northern form var. pedunculatum and an inland for var blackdownense have small growths and are mature at a size similar to the one in Bertholt's first photo. These 2 grow in hot seasonally arid rocky outcrops that even cacti would struggle to survive on. Even the southern form, speciosum, often is found on rocky outcrops subject to heat, drought and bushfires. This is what makes them a challenge to grow in a cooler climate. I grow mine outside under 50% shade and don't water them in winter until they start to shrivel. The one on my driveway grow in full sun most of the day and have survived that in 48deg C. We get a few days each year in the 40-45degC. range and this does not cause any damage or leaf-burn to mature plants if they are acclimatized.

Speciosums are now being bred that have the short growths of blackdownense and the flower size, color and shape of the larger varieties

 

[TyroneGenade]

Oo! I need a blackdownense! Thanks, BabyBloomer. Excellent site.

 

[Babybloomer]

Sorry i lied. It's just a young plant at the age of my granddaughter. She is 12 now.

Here is a somewhat older plant in my daughter's age.
This species grows very slowly about the same speed as us humans

View attachment 24633

This looks like the 'curvicaule' form from central Queensland coast

 

[monocotman]

Great site and read, thanks!

 

[Berthold]

This looks like the 'curvicaule' form from central Queensland coast

Unfortunately, the origin can no longer be determined.
It is an old present from the Leipzig botanical garden from the communist era before the fall of the iron curtain

 

[Berthold]

My plant in this year, 32 years after fall of the iron curtain

 

[Babybloomer]

Dendrobium speciosum 'Walsh's Gold'. Just finished flowering. This is a genuine dwarf grower, a cross between plant from the Blackdown Tableland and a grandiflorum. Flowering pseudobulbs are between 8-13cm and the flowers about 50mm

 

[Babybloomer]

Another speciosum var. curvicaule 'Palm Mountain Giant' = 'Palmerston' x 'Misty Mountain'. Flowers up to 80mm

 

[Babybloomer]

Dendrobium speciosum I/V 'Natstar Best 2004' = spec. 'National White' x var. curvicaule 'North Star'

 

[TyroneGenade]

I am very envious of your Dendrobium speciosum 'Walsh's Gold'.

 

[Greenpaph]

Just magnificent
Wowso!

 

[Brabantia]

Could you describe the growth cycle during a year for Dendrobium speciosum? Mine made a new bulb in spring and then nothing until now.
I also observe that it easily makes aerial roots.
I live in the northern hemisphere in Europe. Should I understand that it grows in winter in Europe?
Many thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[Ozpaph]

they are nice!

 

[Babybloomer]

Could you describe the growth cycle during a year for Dendrobium speciosum? Mine made a new bulb in spring and then nothing until now.
I also observe that it easily makes aerial roots.
I live in the northern hemisphere in Europe. Should I understand that it grows in winter in Europe?
Many thanks in advance for your advice.

Hi. Typically new growth starts late spring till mid summer. Growth matures in autumn and rests over winter. Cool (down to 2 deg is ok) dry rest in winter. The more sun the better. Flowering starts late winter/spring

 

[emydura]

I am very envious of your Dendrobium speciosum 'Walsh's Gold'.

Me too. That is a ripper. Do you have the blackdownense form of this species?

 

[emydura]

I find speciosum's can put out new growths at any time. Several of my plants put out new growths in the middle of this winter.