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| Dendrobium cutberthsonii F. Mueller (1888.) |
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With two other species this miniature wonder belongs to Sectio Cutberthsonia Schlechter while certain authors group them with members of the Oxyglossum Sectio. |
| Dendrobium laevifolium Stapf (1924.) |
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Another member of the Cutberthsonia or, if you wish, the Oxyglossum Sectio of the Dendrobium genus. Endemic to New Guinea, Louisiade Archipelago, Bougainville Islands and Vanuatu, at altitudes ranging from 300 to 2.000 m (900 - 6.000 feet) above sea level. Miniature, floriferous plant requiring light shade and permanent moisture, especially if it is cultivated under warm conditions. |
| Dendrobium nathanielis Reichenbach f. (1857.) |
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Dendrobium nathanielis is native to Assam, Kampuchea, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Its overall appearance and environmental requirements are similar to those of D. leonis. |
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| Miniature Dendrobium Species For Aficionados |
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There are about 45 orchid species in the Aporum Sectio of the Dendrobium genus, widely distributed in South-East Asia from India to New Guinea. They are small plants having fleshy leaves on initially erect then by time pendulous stems. Flowers are produced either on miniature, apical scapes or on scapes emerging from creeping rhizome as shown here. Members of the Oxyglossum Sectio are endemic to areas from New Guinea to the South Pacific Islands. Although there are exceptions, the natural habitas of most of these small jewels are cloud and moss forests at high elevations. The cultivated species are floriferous, proucing long-lasting flowers - in certain species larger than the plant itself is. |
| Dendrobium leonis (Lindley) Reichenbach f. (1861.) |
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| Widely distributed from Indo-China through Peninsular Malaysia to Sumatra and Kalimantan (Borneo). Lowland species preferring warm, moist conditions without pronounced resting period. In its natural habitats this miniature orchid is epiphyte or grows on moss-covered limestone rocks. The initially erect then pendulous stems attain a lenghth of about ten inches (25 cm). Best cultivated mounted. Its scented flowers are produced at the apex of the stem either singly or in pairs throughout the year. |
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| Dendrobium hellwigianum Kräenzlin (1893.) |
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Member of the Oxyglossum Sectio of the Dendrobium genus. Like many other orchids of this group, D. hellwigianum is at home in Papua New Guinea at elevations between 1.400 and 2.700 metres (4.200 - 8.100 feet.) It is a small, terete twig epiphyte forming colonies on branches consisting from perhaps thousands of individual plants. Prefers cool, moist environment and good aeration. Easy to propagate either via divisions or by in vitro techniques. |
| Dendrobium cyanocentrum Schlechter (1905.) |
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A true, only about 3 cm (1˝ inches) tall miniature orchid belonging to the Oxyglossum Sectio of the Genus Dendrobium. It is a lowland, i.e. warm-tolerant twig epiphyte occuring mostly at the Eastern parts of New Guinea. Even young, small individuals flower freely but grooming it into sizeable clumps in cultivation is not easy. Needs strong light, plenty moisture and good aeration. |
| Dendrobium masaragense ssp. theionanthum T.M. Reeve et P. Woods (1989.) |
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| Dendrobium masaragense is a widespread species occuring from Sulawesi through New Guinea to the South-West Pacific Islands. The subspecies endemic to New Guinea is often masquerading in the orchid trade under the Dendrobium theionanthum Schlechter (1912.) name. This miniature, only 3 - 5 cm (1˝ - 2) tall orchid is a high-altitude, cool growing species of cloud and moss forests at 2.000 - 3.000 m (6-9.000 feet) altitudes, where it may form large mats as an epiphyte or grows on mossy rocks. |
| Dendrobium torresae Hort. |
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As that is quite common, it arrived from an Asian orchid vendor under this fantasy name. It is a true miniature; to appreciate its in their ways attractive features a magnifying glass is recommended ... In cultivation thrives under warm, moist conditions with good aeration. |
| Dendrobium linguiforme Swartz (1800.) |
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| Depending on your preferences this orchid either Dendrobium linguiforme belonging to the Rhizobium Section of that genus or Dockrillia linguiforme (Swartz) Brieger (1981.). However, you may also call it as thumbnail or tongue (linguiformis means tongue-formed in Latin) orchid referring to its thick, fleshy, furrowed leaves. It is native to Queensland and North South Wales in Australia, forming huge mats on trees or on rocks. Appreciates lots of light, high humidity and strong air movement - if planted on a suitable support allowing ample space to develop its characteristic colonies. Deservedly popular, charming miniature, indeed. |
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