Dendrobium Nobile
Dendrobium nobile
📖 About this plant
A spectacular cool-growing orchid that produces clouds of exquisite, fragrant flowers along its upright, jointed canes. The white, yellow, or pink flowers with contrasting yellow or orange lips create a breathtaking display in late winter to early spring. Unlike other Dendrobiums, it requires a distinct cool, dry winter rest period to initiate blooming. The ancient Chinese regarded it as a symbol of nobility and used it medicinally.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Bright indirect (4-6 hrs)
Every 1-2 weeks
Moderate to high (50-70%)
15-28°C
Small-grade orchid bark with perlite and sphagnum moss; some growers use osmunda fiber or tree fern fiber; needs excellent drainage and aeration around roots
Balanced orchid fertilizer every 2 weeks during active growth (spring through autumn); STOP fertilizing completely from late autumn through winter to trigger flowering; resume after flowers fade
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Himalayan foothills — northern India (Assam, Sikkim), Nepal, Bhutan, southern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam; grows as an epiphyte at moderate to high elevations
- 📏 Max height
- 30-60 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 30-60 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Winter - Spring
- 🎨 Bloom color
- White, Purple, Pink
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic to humans and pets; considered safe for households
- 🌱 Propagation
- Division of pseudobulb clumps with at least 3-4 canes per division; keiki production on older canes; top cuttings of mature canes
🛡️ Health & Safety
Non-toxic to humans and pets; considered safe for households
Common issues
- Leaf drop from cold drafts, Root rot from overwatering, Fungal spots on leaves
💡 Care tips
- Distinct cool-season blooming Dendrobium with fragrant white and yellow flowers,Requires a cool dry winter rest at 10-15°C to trigger blooming,Water sparingly during winter dormancy and resume in spring,Cane-like pseudobulbs should be plump and firm when healthy
