To finish Dendrobium week we have another of our favourite dendrobiums.

Dendrobium loddigessii  is a small growing but spectacular species found in Laos, Vietnam and Southern China. The species is semi deciduous and grows pseudobulbs no longer than 10cm  The growths grow quickly each summer and then drop some of their soft leaves in the winter. Flowers appear from last year’s bulbs in late spring. We find that this species needs a distinct summer and winter to flower well as it can tend to just keep growing if kept warm all year and forget to flower.

We grow the species bright, wet and warm in the summer – Warm Asia seems to suit it best. Then cooler and dryer in the winter when the roof of Cool Americas seems to be its favourite spot. This may seem like a bit of a faff but it is definitely worth it for the sweet little flowers appear from March to May.

We have tried the plant mounted and potted, and it definitely works best for us mounted where it can develop into a mass of little growths. However we find young plants seem to grow best in little pots before being mounted once they are really thriving.