One of the most dramatic orchids we grow is Dendrobium densiflorum. The sprays of yellow and orange flowers are borne from last years, and older pseudobulbs and produce a breath taking effect.

We have seen the species growing in Sikkim at around 1000m where it lives as an epiphyte generally in tall semi-evergreen trees with little moss as shown below.

This is one of the plants that section hops in the greenhouse to replicate its natural habitat. In the summer it grows its new pseudobulbs rapidly and we find it a home in Warm Asia where heat and heavy watering help it to grow long bulbs. Its native Sikkim become quite cool at 1000m in winter and so we move it for a fairly dry rest in Coll Asia from November until March. We then move it back to warm where the change in climate induces rapid flower development.