Growing Latouriate Dendrobiums

Den. Little Atro x atroviolaceum

Latouriate Dendrobiums are a small group of 50 orchid species native to Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific Islands. Because they grow in extremely remote areas, these orchids were not  commercially grown or widely collected up until recently. They have quickly gained in popularity because they’re so easy to grow for the home gardener, and these orchids flower frequently.

Most Latouriate Dendrobiums Grow in Papua New Guinea
Latouriate Dendrobiums can be found from the Philippines to Samoa, but they mainly grow in Papua New Guinea. The island is home to 45 different latouriate Den species, accounting for 90% of the group’s varieties. The plants can be found on trees, and sometimes on the ground or rocks, throughout Papua New Guinea.

Latouriate Dendrobiums Are Easy to Grow
As with all orchids, latouriate Dendrobiums require specific growing conditions, however, they are one of the easiest orchid varieties to grow. Their needs include:

• Temperature: Prefers warm conditions, but can tolerate cooler temperatures
  
• Light: Generally bright, filtered light
• Water: Year-round watering with slightly less in the fall. Do not allow this plant to dry out for extended periods of time.
• Humidity: Prefers high humidity
• Feeding: Feed this plant regularly with a general orchid food and bloom booster every fourth watering

Latouriate Dendrobiums Flower Frequently
Most of the latouriate Dendrobiums grown commercially are relatively small, but how frequently they flower makes them stand out from other orchid species. They never rest, because they’re from areas that see year-round rainfall. Therefore, it’s possible to see multiple flowerings per year. Blooms may last for as long as 7 to 8 weeks, or, in some cases, even 3 months. Most commonly available latouriate Dens feature relatively small flowers (1-3") in either white, purple or pale green.

These flowers, which have three-lobed lips and a prominently raised callus, grow on top of spikes that emerge from the apex of club-shaped pseudobulbs. Each pseudobulb may produce one or two spikes among the leaves that grow at the top of the pseudobulb, and each spike will produce a few full flowers.

Better-Gro grows and sells the latouriate Dendrobiums as full-sized plants as well as Baggy Babies. So the next time you're shopping, pick one up to add to your collection.

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