Diplocaulobium

[pikkumyy]

i was wondering if anyone had ever heard of this kind of orchid, i came across it while orchid channel surfing on the internet

[kmarch]

Yes, Diplocalobium is a genus of orchids that are native to Australia and SE Asia. They are somewhat related to Dendrobiums and if I remember correctly they were once part of that genus. Most of them have beautiful star-shaped flowers not unlike Den tetragonum.

[terra_australis]

Actually I think they were re-classified back into Dendrobium recently... unless I was just reading old literature.

I owned a couple but they didn't like the winter here - too cold. The growth habit is creeping much like Dockrillia except there are definite pseudobulbs and leaves.

[pikkumyy]

dan,
do you think id be able to grow them up here in brisbane?

[terra_australis]

Well, you'd be in a better position than me I got mine from Berleigh Park Orchid Nursery up in Townsville and it looks like they still have some species available. Ian lists them as intermediate to warm growing but every other resource I have found says warm to hot. I can't say for sure what did mine in because I was relying on guesswork for their conditions but since they started going south after a cold snap I would have to assume it was that. I won't try them again until I get my greenhouse set up properly.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by terra_australis

Actually I think they were re-classified back into Dendrobium recently... unless I was just reading old literature.

Nope you're not reading old literature. The mistake was mine for not being aware of the shift back (that is assuming there was ever any official shift over in the first place). Bottom line: you're right, they are all dendrobiums. I also misspelled the genus too. The correct spelling should have been diplocaulobium.

Originally Posted by pikkumyy

dan,
do you think id be able to grow them up here in brisbane?

Well it depends on your growing conditions. You'll need to research their needs and see if you can give them what they need.

[pikkumyy]

the burleigh park orchid nursery still refers to them as Diplocaulobium, and thanks guys

[terra_australis]

Originally Posted by kmarch

Well it depends on your growing conditions. You'll need to research their needs and see if you can give them what they need.

Therein lies the problem. I found little to no information about how to grow them. Given the distribution however I'd say hot and reasonably humid.

[pikkumyy]

here in winter it gets as low as 5 degrees or so in the middle of winter (but it could come inside with my phals) and in summer it stay in the low to mid 30's, i have a shadehouse with 75% roof and 50% sides but im planning on making a little section that would be suitable for phals in there so it could go in there if it needed more shade, oh and there's plenty of air circulation,
so by this info do you think id be able to grow one?
and if so where could i get one?

[terra_australis]

Originally Posted by pikkumyy

here in winter it gets as low as 5 degrees or so in the middle of winter (but it could come inside with my phals) and in summer it stay in the low to mid 30's, i have a shadehouse with 75% roof and 50% sides but im planning on making a little section that would be suitable for phals in there so it could go in there if it needed more shade, oh and there's plenty of air circulation,
so by this info do you think id be able to grow one?
and if so where could i get one?

Wow... that's as cold as here

As far as I know, BPON are the only ones who sell them. What they list as a specimen clump (at least in my experience) is a well-established plant on a 10x10cm mount. If you do purchase one from there I suggest you wait until Spring so that it isn't stressed by a big temperature change.

[pikkumyy]

dan i find this a pretty good website for info Paph Culture is the info on this site true to your knowledge Kevin?

[pikkumyy]

and dan our house is a couple degrees cooler than the rest of brisbane because we have a creek/wetland area in the paddock, which my shadehouse overlooks

[terra_australis]

You'll probably need heat in winter then...

[pikkumyy]

they'll jus come inside into my bedroom with my phals

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by terra_australis

Therein lies the problem. I found little to no information about how to grow them.

Have you checked Baker & Baker or Lavarack or any of the books on Australian natives?

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by pikkumyy

dan i find this a pretty good website for info Paph Culture is the info on this site true to your knowledge Kevin?

Yes it's good. Have you read the paph culture notes right here on the forum? Or form the AOS? American Orchid Society

[rcb]

Originally Posted by kmarch

Have you checked Baker & Baker or Lavarack or any of the books on Australian natives?

The Lavarack book does I think a nice job giving culture info for these kinds. It covers 20 different species, with pictures and gives advice on temps and watering habits.

If you don't have the book, you can pm me regarding a specific one, and I'll let you know what he says.

[terra_australis]

Originally Posted by kmarch

Have you checked Baker & Baker or Lavarack or any of the books on Australian natives?

No, don't have those ...yet

[syndywindy]

I have a Diplocaulobium(Dendrobium) chrysotropis. I have it mounted and water it daily. Flowers don't last long on it, maybe a week.

[cerastes]

Marguerite Webb wrote an article in the August 2011 edition of Orchids magazine on Dendrobium regale (in 1957 it was moved to Diplocaulobium). Recent molecular studies in dendrobium reinstated Diplocaulobium as a subsection of Dendrobium. Per Marguerite, J&L Orchids grows D. regale with a minimum winter night temp of 52'F (11 C) and a summer maximum of 82' F (28 C).

[pikkumyy]

thanks for all the info everyone, and i just looked at the date, and boy this is an old thread. hehehe reading my old posts reminds me of how much i've learnt since them