Tiger Orchid Dendrobium gracilicaule
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Tiger Orchid:
Previously known as:
- Dendrobium piestocaulon var. piestocaulon
- Phonetic Spelling
- den-DROH-bee-um grass-il-lih-KAW-lay
- Description
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Blotched Cane Orchid is a herbaceous perennial species of orchid native to Australia with elongated, cane-like pseudobulbs from which the leaves and inflorescences emerge. The flowers are bright, showy, and fragrant. It is epiphytic, meaning the roots of the plant creep over and live on the surface of trees. The plant has cylindrical, yellowish green pseudo bulbs 20 to 40 inches long and 1/2 inch wide, with 3 to 7 thin leaves on the top. The 6 inch long flowering stem bears 5 to 30 colorful flowers.
These plants grow best in bright, indirect light, idealy a west or south-facing window. A partially shaded site providing 2,000 to 5,000 fc light intensity should be sufficient (full, direct sunlight is approximately 10,000 fc by comparison). They prefer high humidity, around 60%, and need consistently moist soil. Allow the soil to only halfway dry out between waterings, but never fully dry. Because these plants have small root systems, they MUST be planted in the smallest pot that fits and clay pots work well for maintaining good soil drainage. Blotched Cane Orchid can be grown in a bark-based medium containing horticultural charcoal. Feed weekly during the growing season after first watering thoroughly with tepid water. Use a commercial fertilizer diluted in water to half strength.
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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dendrobium
- Species:
- gracilicaule
- Family:
- Orchidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Australia
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Epiphyte
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Maintenance:
- High
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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, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a, 10b, 10a, 11a, 11b, 12b, 12a
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Cutting Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Humidity
