Plant Description

Dendrobium kingianum

Dendrobium kingianum in the garden of Nancy and Ted Shaw in Sydney

Known as the pink rock orchid, this native Australian, clump-forming plant has pseudobulbs and thin leaves about 12 cm long. The dainty, perfumed flowers, usually in hues of deep to paler pink, and occasionally white, appear in clusters from late winter into spring. They are best grown in pots in orchid mix, and given a dry rest during winter. In their native rainforest habitat, they grow on rocks. To do this in a garden setting, sit them on some orchid compost and prop them up with smaller rocks: they will eventually attach themselves to the main rock. They can also be affixed to a tree using an old stocking partially filled with orchid compost in which to anchor the roots - tie the orchid onto the tree with the ends of the stocking. Eventually it will adhere itself onto the bark. They can also grow in cut-up tree stumps or in hollow logs. They grow best in part or dappled shade. Protect them from hot afternoon sun. The main pest is the dendrobium beetle, which can ruin leaves, new shoots and flowers. Remove them by hand in the early evening. You can flick them into a container with some soapy water at the bottom. Propagate by removing rooted pieces from the clump or by dividing the pseudobulbs into smaller clumps and potting up in orchid mix.

 

Dendrobium kingianum
Flowers August and September.
Plant Family: Orchidaceae

Promotions