Sydney Rock Lily Dendrobium speciosum

20 years ago

Hi

I have two small clumps of Sydney Rock Lily sitting on crevices in a south facing rock wall behind my house. The area gets dappled shade, but not too much sun. It may actually be a little dark compared with the rest of the garden.

They haven't flowered or grown since I "planted" them last spring. They look exactly the same, so I assume they are still alive. They are surrounded by a mixture of orchid mix and bark chip, as advised by the nursery. I was advised they were pretty hardy, so I haven't done anything except water. Could they be not getting enough water? I think the water drains pretty quickly, as there on a bit of a slope.

Any ideas as to their insouciance?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

TonyfromOz
20 years ago
I think they may like a little more sun and warmth than you might be getting from a southern exposure. If they don't produce new growths this summer then I would remove them to another spot. Assuming you don't have rock walls facing other aspects, you could try planting them on a pile of rocks. I doubt that water would be an issue, if you saw some of the dry, baked rock faces they grow on in the wild.
nathanhurst
20 years ago
Dendrobiums are orchids, not lilies :)
Related Discussions
Tell me more... different types of Dendrobiums
Q
Comments (25)
They can be like a member of the opposite sex (If you are a Republican, any sex if a Democrat). Attractive, but don't let them rule your life, they can become addicting. I must admit that I am somewhat addicted to native Au Dendrobiums which are hard to come by in the US. Good ones that is. The best you can get in the line of Kingianums for example is 'Pink' or 'red' and that's as far as the description often goes. Like anything else there are awarded ones with fantastic colors available in Australia, same with Delicatums. Most of my friends in my Orchid Society know that a D Delicatum is a cross between a D speciosum and a D kingianum but that's as far as it goes. Obviously a Deli with D speciosum 'Daylight Moon' FCC and D kingianum 'Black Beauty' for parents has a better chance of being an outstanding plant. These are two famous Aussie clones. For the benefit of the US readers let me dispel the belief that these plants are difficult to come by. Just like ordering plants from any American vendor, you can fill your shopping cart at Australian vendors like Australian Native Orchids, Cedarvale or Down Under Native Orchids to name just three, pay for it with Pay Pal or credit card and expect the plants at your doorsteps within 10 days. They take care of all the import paper work. Good sized seedlings are no more than $10.00 add 10% to 20% for transportation and bingo you have 'PRIME' Au Dendrobiums. Very few of my orchid friends know how easy and painless it is. I just unpacked 17 good sized seedlings with primo parents from ANO, average cost per plant, including transportation, was $11. What I like about ANO is that they have good photos of the plants on their web page so even if you only have a superficial knowledge about these plants, at least pictures give you an idea what you are getting. Give it a try. Nick
...See More
Growing Dendrobium Kingianum
Q
Comments (47)
I have read Dr. Neptune's culture sheet and I intend on following it since my laundry room isn't insulated (though there is one vent in it and with the added heat from the dryer it stays VERY chilly but will ward off any threat of frost. Greencurls, I am really new to working with cypress mulch but I saw a video on youtube that this guy made and he was planting his Cymbidiums in a 50/50 peat and cypress mix and his plants looked amazing. With all the info on King's available I'd surmise that they are EXTREMELY tough plants, The mulch was purchased at petsmart in the reptile section (where I get most of my orchid mediums) but I was worried about the finer, more shredded pieces retaining too much water so I really tried to pick some of the larger pieces and work that into the mix. The plant I repotted was titled Dendrobium Kingianum but the flowers look just like Berry 'oda' which would make it more tolerant of warmth. I'm still deciding on whether I should try some orchids in pure LECA or if the evaporative cooling would not be the best choice for some of the warmer growing species (phals) I did however buy the true species the same day and will not repot until the spring as the pot it's in is very snug and seems to be growing well. I'm going to wait it out and see what happens, but other ppl's opinions are reassuring for this little guy. :)
...See More
Dendrobium speciosum
Q
Comments (2)
ten years it worth the wait for such a gorgeous display! I hope mine won't wait that long though!:)
...See More
Anyone up for a survey?
Q
Comments (25)
OK, I will play this game too.... 1. Have more than 100 but have not done an exact head count lately ( I sent some on to new homes and donated one big c. traceyanum to the orchid society for auction) 2. Oldest plant: I think it's Catt "Land of Enchantment" -I've had it over 12 years, but it's way older than that. Given to me by a co-worker who insisted 5 times that I take it before I agreed. I had no orchids before that! 3. Lost - not a 100, but I have not counted either 4. First orchid - tricky question - I was sent a catt from Hawaii many many years ago before I got into orchids. My Mom promptly helped me overwater and it died because we did not understand the requirements. but I also had a native cyp in my backyard that flowered well until the trees it lived under came down : -( then 3rd "first" orchid would be above Land of Enchantment - #5- She's also the biggest at nearly four feet span - but a reliable bloomer so she is allowed to stay 6. Smallest- Shoenorchis fragrans - but I also have other tiny ones :-) 7. Looking for cold tolerant, mini to smallish, hopefully fragrant species and primary hybrids 8. Why - I have always been into plants and orchids are just part of the picture. Really into growing food... But orchids are a skill challenge, get you into a club of nice people (at least the ones I've met!) and shows where you can participate in planning, setting up, writing, etc. I realize the quiz does not ask for your favorite or least favorite. Your most bomb-proof or most finicky orchid. I'm filling in Laelia anceps as my favorite because she is such a bomb - heat and cold-proof reliable bloomer, and is fragrant to boot. Cheers from frigid Massachusetts Maryanne
...See More
TonyfromOz
20 years ago
Whether calling a Dendrobium a lily bothers you depends on your attitude to common names. Should they provide a parallel system of nomenclature to botanical names? Many years ago the Victorian Naturalists decided that all Victorian native plants should have common names according to such a system and came up with a long list, many of which still appear in books but are seldom heard from human lips. People obstinately continue to use the common names they learnt as children. If you value precision you probably use botanical names anyway.

And Nathan, how would you define a lily, in terms of modern botanical classifications?
aeor
Original Author
20 years ago
Thanks TonyfromOz for the suggestion of more warmth. Would you believe it ! I walked past a neighbouring street yesterday and saw a huge, I mean huge clump thriving in full sun! many more shoots than mine...
Oh and Nathan guess what, I know they are an orchid, not a lily :). I also belive the name has been changed to Thelychiton speciosus. Not that it means much to me. My only quest is to ensure people recognise what I'm refering to.
thanks again
A
nathanhurst
20 years ago
Tony: point taken. I always use scientific names for that reason. I do think that a parallel system is valuable, as it encourages people to see the connections between species.

Lilies have 6 stamens (the ones with pollen), Orchids have 1 or 2. At least, that's what they taught me at school.

The best grown speciosum I've seen was parked in the fork of a messmate in full sun. It was monsterous. I vaguely recall from ANOS presentations that they only flower every 5-7 years or so, Lynne thinks that they only flower once on each pseudopod (or was it tentacle?) and only when that is fully mature.

So maybe you just have to be patient.

Sydney Rock Lily Dendrobium speciosum

Comments (5)

TonyfromOz

nathanhurst

Related Discussions

TonyfromOz

aeor
Original Author

nathanhurst

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Sydney Rock Lily Dendrobium speciosum

Comments (5)

TonyfromOz

nathanhurst

Related Discussions

TonyfromOz

aeorOriginal Author

nathanhurst

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

aeor
Original Author