The Dendrobium Orchid

Everybody loves orchids. With over 22,000 varieties there's something for everyone. Of all the varieties, the Dendrobium is particularly popular, itself containing 1200-1600 variations. They thrive in hugely diverse habitats including the Australian desert, lowland tropical forests and the Himalayan Mountains. Some Dendrobium orchids are very similar to another popular variety, the Phalaenopsis which share similar looking flowers. However, the leaves of the Dendrobium are shed during winter and fall whereas Phalaenopsis is evergreen.

Dendrobium Health Benefits

The Dendrobium orchid has been proven to have medicinal qualities in addition to their beauty. The Chinese include this plant as part of their fifty fundamental herbs used in healing all kinds of diseases. In western medical studies it has also been tested and proven to be an effective herbal medicine. On top of their medicinal value, another reason why Dendrobiums make ideal house plants is their ability to absorb and eradicate destructive chemicals such as toluene and xylene from the air, creating a clean and fresh environment inside the house.

Psychologically all plants, but particularly those with beautiful flowers, have been shown to have a positive and calming effect on mood. Some speculate that this is steeped in our evolutionary history effectively 'taking us back to nature'. Certainly many companies around the work furnish their offices with foliage. It is said that keeping an orchid on your desk it can be seen increase productivity by up to 30 percent which some argue offsets the price of the plant in the first place!

Dendrobiums Have Different Requirements

When planning to grow Dendrobium orchids, it must be understood that the care they require is different from the other species of orchid. One of the properties that make this species different is how much they love light. Surprisingly, Dendrobiums can stand temperatures as high as 50 degrees Celsius. Consequently they thrive best in natural light but incandescent bulbs can be used effectively in poorly lit environments.

The Right Humidity is Vital

The key success factor when growing Dendrobium orchids making sure to get the humidity levels right. Between 50-60 percent humidity is perfect and gauges should be used to monitor the humidity level. To keep the plant moist, stalks and leaves can be sprayed with a fine mist of water although it's important not to spray too excessively which can encourage mold.

There are a couple of other ways to increase the humidity around your orchid. The first is to group numbers of plants together. This effectively 'traps' moisture in the air around the plants. The other is to place the Dendrobium onto a tray of pebbles. By watering the pebbles regularly (making sure that no roots stray into the water) you can increase the humidity around the plant.

Beautiful and Healthy Too

The Dendrobium orchid is unique in that they thrive just about anywhere, but if they are to be placed inside the house, special attention must be given. Growing this kind of orchid not only beautifies the environment but can provide medicinal benefits and a healthy environment too!