Dendrobium Anosmum alba is a gorgeous plant from the family of orchids. These plants are colorful when they bloom and grow in the form of canes and vines, meaning that they hang down. Dendrobium Anosmum plants are one of the most elegant-looking plants that you can find to grow indoors and use as a display. But its appearance is not the only thing houseplants enthusiasts love it for, instead, it is the mixture of looks, simple maintenance, and the ability to be easily propagated indoors that attract plant collectors from all around the world.
Contents
- 1 Classification
- 2 About the Genus Dendrobium
- 3 Common Names and Synonyms
- 4 Origin and Distribution
- 5 Dendrobium Anosmum Plant Features
- 6 How Do You Treat a Dendrobium Anosmum?
- 7 Dendrobium Anosmum Potting
- 8 How do you propagate Dendrobium Anosmum?
- 9 Timeline
- 10 Some Common FAQs
- 11 Displaying Dendrobium Anosmum Plant
- 12 Dendrobium Anosmum for Sale
Classification
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Dendrobium
About the Genus Dendrobium
The Dendrobium genus was first officially described by Olof Swartz in 1799. The name Dendrobium translates as “tree” and “life” in the Greek language, about their growing habit. The Dendrobium plants are epiphytic orchids so they are found creeping on to rocks and trees. They make up a large genus from the plant family of Orchidaceae and it consists of about 1800 species, all of which are diverse in terms of habitats, found growing in various types of environments across the globe.
Common Names and Synonyms
- Sanggumay
- Latigo
- Unscented Dendrobium
- Callista Asosma
- Callista Macrophylla
- Callista Scortechinii
Origin and Distribution
Den Anosmum orchids were first discovered during the 1800s in the Philippines by Lindley and was then called Dendrobium macrophyllum. The genus Dendrobium is most commonly found around the south, east, and southeast parts of Asia, including China India and Japan.
This particular variety of Dendrobiums, however, is found growing from the Philippines to New Guinea including many islands in Indonesia.
Dendrobium Anosmum Plant Features
Foliage and Stem
The plant has 12 to 18 cm long, sharp, green leaves. They have a glossy texture and a fleshy feel. The orchid consists of pseudobulbs that grow roots when the plant is propagated. The stems are not as rigid or erect so growing them upright in a pot can be a problem. It is best if you mount them somewhere or plant them in baskets and let them hang.
Evergreen
This particular species of Dendrobium Anosmum orchid plants are evergreen, meaning that it stays lush and beautiful throughout the year in every season if given the right Dendrobium Anosmum care and environment to grow. Thus, they are perfect to be displayed and used as ornamental, decorative plants.
Height
These are fairly large plants. If given the right Dendrobium Anosmum care, these plants are known to grow as tall as three meters in height.
Temperature Tolerance
Given that these plants can survive in moderate temperatures of both warm and cool, they are not exactly temperature tolerant. They do not bear frequent and extreme changes in temperature and will immediately start showing signs of being unwell.
Humidity Tolerance
However, in terms of humidity, it can take a lot. A little added moisture in the air may even favorable for the plant. Just make sure that the plant does not stay moist for longer periods as that can invite bugs and microbial growth.
Flowers
The flowering cycle usually goes on from March to May but different plants may bloom in different months. When it comes to flowering, these plants are a little different from the other plants we have seen so far. They bloom during the colder months especially in February and the flowers live for approximately 6 to 7 weeks. If things go well, and the environment stays favorable, they can even bloom multiple times a year.
The flowers grow out of the nodes along with the cane of the plant. They grow in groups of 8 or 10, each of them being 7 to 8 centimeters in diameter. This, however, varies among flowers because some of them do not grow that big and some might not even open.
The color of these flowers ranges from pink to lavender, and sometimes all the colors in between. Color transitions from the bottom to the top of the flower petals and some of them even have dark venation on them.
Drought-resistance
Considering that it loves living in humid environments, moderate temperatures, and likes to be watered regularly, it is pretty obvious that it will not do well in drought-like conditions. So make sure you do not deprive it of water and humidity for too long.
Pressure Tolerance
Orchids are delicate plants and cannot tolerate pressure. Make sure you put them somewhere safe, away from the possibility of being stepped on or from being pressed against other things.
Disease and Pest Resistance
Even though the Dendrobium plants don’t have major disease problems, snails and slugs may occasionally visit the plant and cause you trouble. Generally, when the humidity is high, the plant is prone to inviting bugs and fungal diseases. However, you can make sure that does not happen by keeping the plant clean and dry all the time. You can mist and wipe the plant clean and dust off any accumulated dirt on top of its surface. While you do so, take the opportunity to examine and inspect the plant thoroughly to make sure there aren’t any bugs or spots on the leaves and stems.
Growth
If given the right Dendrobium Anosmum care, these plants can grow pretty quickly. However, the growth rate of these plants majorly depends on the conditions they are kept in and the care they are given as well as their genetic makeup.
Toxicity
There is no evidence whether this particular plant is toxic to cats and dogs or not, however, until that is sure to say, it is suggested that you avoid ingesting the plant. Even if the plant is not toxic itself, it is best if you keep them away from your pets and children because of all the potential dust, bacteria and poisonous chemicals that may be latched onto the surface of the orchid’s leaves. These dangerous substances can cause mild to severe physical symptoms if ingested or mishandled.
Durability
If given the right Dendrobium Anosmum care and environment, these plants are pretty durable and can live for a long time. However, their flowers only last as long as several weeks to months. If you want to make them last longer, simply make sure they stay in lower, cooler temperatures.
Maintenance
One of the many reasons why houseplant lovers are in love with this species is because it is beautiful and pretty low-maintenance. A typical Dendrobium Anosmum plant does not require any fancy conditions to grow in. It thrives well in a regular indoor environment with regular houseplant care.
Dormancy
The dormancy cycle of this plant starts from November to February. The period starts when the temperatures at night start to drop. As soon as the dormant cycle finishes, buds start to form on its stems and the plant gets ready to bloom. During these cold, dark months of the year, their water and food requirements tend to generally decrease. All you can and should do during this time is to give it attention and only water it as needed. Keep the plant clean and dry and make sure it stays protected from any pest attacks. Over-watering and over-feeding are a huge no-no so make sure you steer clear of it.
How Do You Treat a Dendrobium Anosmum?
Dendrobium Anosmum care includes giving it good amounts of water, good-quality suitable plant fertilizer, a well-draining, moist soil, and bright but filtered sunlight in a humid spot. You do not need to groom it often or arrange special facilities to make these plants grow to their full potential.
Water Requirements
Because they come from a native land that has heavy rainfall during the summer seasons, these plants require a lot of water during the warm summer and spring days. However, these requirements generally tend to decrease during fall and winter seasons. The growing seasons of summer and spring are especially important and it should be ensured that the plant stays moist and hydrated all the time. As a quick reference, when the plant starts to bud, you can start gradually increasing the water for the plant.
Soil
These plants grow well in loose substrates and soil that has high moisture level but good drainage. It should be ensured that the potting mix dries quickly and holds no water. You can put the soil in pots and hanging baskets and plant the Dendrobium Anosmum as you please.
Sunlight Requirements
These plants love a good sun-lit spot. However, just make sure it does not catch any direct, scorching light from the sun. Put it next to a sheer window or anywhere it gets diffused, filtered light for most hours of the day. If you absolutely cannot avoid direct light hitting the plant during the morning or noon hours, use a shade cloth to mellow the sunlight hitting its leaves.
Temperature
In general, the Den Anosmum orchid plants love moderate temperatures. However, they bloom during the colder seasons. So, if you want your plant to flower for a longer period, just maintain the cooler temperatures around it. However, make sure that you do not expose the plant to frequent or extreme temperature changes.
Humidity
Because of their origins, these plants love a little extra humidity in the air. If your place lacks moisture, you can mist the plant occasionally, but make sure you don’t drench the plant in water and make sure it dries completely in a couple of hours. Another good way of adding more moisture to the air is to group a bunch of water-loving plants. This adds to the factor of humidity around all the plants collectively. You can also put your plant in a pebble tray, on top of the pebbles, and pour some water into the tray. The water will evaporate and naturally “mist” your plant. If not, you can always install an indoor humidifier for your plants.
Fertilizer Requirements
Try to feed the plant efficiently while it is growing. It is suggested that you feed your Dendrobium Anosmum orchid every week with orchid fertilizer. During the growing seasons of spring and summer, you can use a fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen. However, as fall approaches, you can switch to a phosphorus fertilizer until the plant becomes dormant.
Re-potting
Spring is the best season for you to repot your plant. Just make sure that you repot it when the shoots are at least 4 to 5 inches long and the roots have grown as long as 1 to 2 inches. If you mess with the plant any sooner than this, you may end up damaging it and stunting its growth. You can put them in a soiled basket or mount them on to cork, just be very careful while you handle them. If you do decide to mount them instead of putting them in soil, make sure you water them more often because they will dry quicker when mounted.
Grooming and Pruning
The leaves of a Dendrobium Anosmum plant tend to fall after flowering. However, if given good conditions to grow, they may survive for a longer period. Just make sure you do not remove these leaves even if they appear to be dried up. Messing with them may damage the buds developing in the leaf so be very gentle and just let them be.
Dendrobium Anosmum Potting
The best way to pot these plants is by mounting them on trees or corks, or hanging them in baskets and letting them grow down. You can prepare the baskets with suitable soil for the plant and putting it under appropriate conditions with good sunlight and moderate humidity.
Den Anosmum plants can grow into very tall plants and they can ultimately become very heavy. So if you decide to mount them, make sure that the mounting material is sturdy and strong. Also, for mounted plants, make sure you give them good amounts of water and that they have proper air circulation. If you pot the plant in a basket, make sure the soil is when well-drained. Water it and feed it appropriately.
How do you propagate Dendrobium Anosmum?
- Cut off a piece (or multiple pieces) of the cane from the plant.
- Dip the cut end of the cane into cinnamon to protect it from germs and infections. This is a good home remedy to avoid diseases as the plant grows.
- Prepare a container or pot with suitable soil mix or moist moss mixture.
- Place the cane(s) on top and place them in a suitable spot with appropriate conditions.
- Mist the plant twice a day and keep the soil moist (not dry, not soggy).
- When you see new root growth occurring, shift the plant to a bigger pot.
Timeline
Day 1-30: Plant the cane cutting and mist it regularly to keep it moist. Place the container under the right conditions.
Months 1-3: Roots will finally start to grow at this point. You can now shift it to a bigger pot as soon as they grow up to 2 to 3 inches long.
Months 3-5: It takes about 5 to 6 months for the plant to adapt to the new pot and develop to its full, mature self.
Some Common FAQs
What Do Dendrobium Orchids Smell Like?
For some people, the Den Anosmum may smell a little too strong. It smells like raspberry, strawberry, or hyacinth. Even when the flowers have dried up, they still have a lot of fragrance left in them and you can smell them from a mile away. If strong smells irritate you, this one might not be the best for you, especially if kept in smaller rooms.
My Plant is Growing Little Baby Plants on Its Stems. What Should I Do?
On some occasions, these plants start producing keikis on their stems instead of the usual flowers. This means that the plant is not growing correctly and is not under the right conditions. The main cause behind this could be excessive watering. Make sure you only water the plant after the soil has dried. Also, check the temperature the plant is living in. In general, these plants like warmer days and cooler nights. If both of these are not the problem, make sure the plant is getting optimum light, especially in winters.
Displaying Dendrobium Anosmum Plant
These plants are very easy to display because of their colorful, elegant appearance. If displayed correctly, they bring an instant colorful, aesthetic look to your monochrome interiors. The environmental needs of these plants make them ideal to be grown indoors. You can put them behind sheer curtains or against a plain wall in an empty corner of a room. They will instantly brighten up your place. (We suggest you avoid putting your orchid plant in a colorful room because it might not be as visible as you would like. The color would simply blend into the surroundings and not pop as much.)
You can hang them in baskets or mount them onto the cork and they will lift your space without being overwhelming to the eye (or the nose).
Dendrobium Anosmum for Sale
When looking for a Dendrobium Anosmum plant for sale, make sure you inspect it thoroughly for any diseases, spots, or dead parts. Look under and behind the leaves to make sure the plant is perfectly healthy. Make sure there are no kiekis growing on the stems. Ask for the age of the plant and make sure you are comfortable with it, as baby plants tend to be needier as compared to mature plants. If you are looking for this plant online, here are a few places you can find it on: