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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Cattleya labiata Flower
Cattleya trianae Flower
Dendrobium Flowers
Dendrobium gracilicaule has some common insect problems:
Mealybugs Found on Flowers and Foliage

Dendrobium gracilicaule

Phonetic Spelling
den-DROH-bee-um grass-il-lih-KAW-lay
Description

Leopard orchid is a tropical, epiphytic (or lithophytic) herbaceous perennial in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). It is native to Australia and islands of the western Pacific, including Fiji, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu. The species epithet is taken from the Latin for “slender stem.”

The growing conditions are like those for hard-cane dendrobiums, such as D. phalaenopsis and its hybrids. It needs bright light (a south-facing window is good), warm to intermediate temperatures, and frequent watering during the growing season. When the plant is dormant, the watering should be greatly reduced. A distinct day and night fluctuation in temperature (70 to 85 degrees F in the day and 60 to 70 degrees F at night) encourages flowering, so plants grown in a home with a constant temperature may not flower well.

The leopard orchid is grown for its bright, showy, fragrant flowers. The plant has cylindrical, yellowish green, spotted pseudobulbs, which are the inspiration for the common name. 

This is an easy-to-grow, houseplant or greenhouse orchid. It can spend its summers outdoors.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: These plants have few problems. They are generally not affected by pests, but watch for mealybugs. Insufficient light results in non-blooming.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Dendrobium.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#specimen#colorful#epiphytic#pet friendly#dappled shade#moist soil#well-drained soil#herbaceous perennial#orchid#cutting garden#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical#container plant#high humidity#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#specimen#colorful#epiphytic#pet friendly#dappled shade#moist soil#well-drained soil#herbaceous perennial#orchid#cutting garden#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical#container plant#high humidity#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dendrobium
    Species:
    gracilicaule
    Family:
    Orchidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Australia, Norfolk Is., Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia
    Distribution:
    cultivated worldwide.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Epiphyte
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Up to 30 1/2 inch yellow, green, or cream colored flowers (some with brown blotches on their back) in unbranched racemes emerging from the top of the pseudobulb.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Other/more complex
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Three to seven thin leaves (5 inches by 2 inches) grow from the top 1/3rd of the pesudobulb and are elliptical in shape.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Design Feature:
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Humidity