Classification of Dendrobium orchids

Dendrobium, Lan Hoang Thao, Dang Lan is a large species with more than 1,200 varieties, ranking second in the orchid family in terms of number of varieties and also second in the most cultivated orchid species only after Cattleya.

Orchids (scientific name: Orchidaceae) is a family of flowering plants of the order Asparagales (Asparagales). Lan is the family with the second largest diversity of species in the plant world, with nearly 30,000 species after only Chrysanthemum and is present on almost every continent except Antarctica.

In which, Dendrobium (Lan Hoang Thao, Dang Lan) is a large species with more than 1,200 varieties, ranked second in the orchid family in terms of number of varieties and also ranked second in the most cultivated orchids after Cattleya. This is also a diverse group of orchids with beautiful flowers with enchanting colors and an unforgettable detail is the fragrance ... Although Bulbophyllum (Lan Long) is the largest species in the orchid family, but discusses the fragrance. Dendrobium is probably still far superior.

Dendrobium in particular, this is a species of phytoplankton, living and clinging to trees or rocks. Adapted to a wide range of habitats, from the high mountains of Hymalaya to the lowland tropical forests and hot dry climates of the Australian desert. Also from the interesting variety in genera of the Dendrobium species are often divided into several groups with distinct distinctiveness of each type and quite a variety of taxonomies. In this article, please only talk about Dendrobium orchids and the classification below is a classification based on the similarities of orchid varieties as well as lifestyle, holiday season, flower season ... This is also a classification. easy to remember and should be used by many people compared to other classifications.

1. Phalaenanthe:

This group leaves evergreen for many years, the practitioner is thin, tall (in each variety there are variations with low yogi), and produces flowers that grow on the sleeping eyes at the tip. Flowering season is usually once in the fall or sometimes twice a year in spring and autumn. The orchids in the group have round or slightly elongated petals, striking with varieties like Den. affine, Den. bigibbum (phalaenopsis), Den. dicuphum and Den. williamsianum.

This group of orchids thrive in warm year-round environments, with no less than 60 ° F (16 ° C) at night. Need plenty of water and fertilizer in medium-light, growing season. Orchids have a short (3 to 4 week) cool, dry resting season with temperatures that can withstand around 55 ° F (12 ° C) and flower after that when the temperature is warm again.

This is also a prominent group because hybrid Dendrobium orchids are commonly found, Dendrobium varieties with large round petals like Phalaenopsis or hybrid Dendrobium orchids are grown for the purpose of harvesting flowers and sold to all. The distill buyers are all derived from the original orchids in this group.

2. Spatulata:

This orchid group has long and twisted petals like antelope horn so it is also known in English as "Antelope Type". Green leaves all year round with strong and tall practitioners. Flowers in one turn with many flower branches or can flower consecutively in warm summer, flowers perish. There are the same as Den. antennatum, Den. canaliculatum, Den. discolor, Den. gouldii, Den. johannis, Den. lineale (veratrifolium), Den. stratiotes, Den. strebloceras and Den. taurinum.

Orchids in this group thrive in warm climates year-round 60-65 ° F (15-18 ° C) at night and 75-90 ° F (24-32 ° C) during the day. . Can withstand higher heat but must increase warmth and ventilation. There is no holiday season, can withstand cold in winter but must have a dry environment. Light from medium to strong.

The orchid hybrids from this orchid group are often referred to as Dendro Sunny in Vietnam because of their large healthy plants and can withstand high sunlight from 80% to 100%.

3. Dendrobium:

This orchid group stands out with the majority having droopy onion with leaves growing along the sides. The leaves will fall out when the weather starts to be cold and dry. This orchid group needs a cold and dry holiday season. In late winter to early spring flowers begin to grow from 1 to 5 flowers in the axils. In this group are divided into two categories based on their cold tolerance as follows.

Group D1: High tolerance to cold, including plants like Den. chrysanthum (Yellow flower), Den. friedricksianum, Den. nobile (Thach Ho, Hoang Thao flat) and Den. wardianum. Orchids need plenty of water and fertilizer as the plant begins to thrive until the leaves at the tips stop growing. At this time, orchids need more light, drastically reduce water or stop completely without watering, no fertilization, at night can withstand cold 40-50 ° F (4-10 ° C). During this break it is a little fun to say "forget them".

Group D2: Plants in this group were less cold tolerant than Group 1, including plants like Den. anosmum, Den. falconeri, Den. fimbriatum, Den. findlayanum, Den. heterocarpum, Den. loddigesii (Hoang Thao art mind), Den. moniliforme, Den. parishii (Purple Rose), Den. pendulum, Den. primulinum (Long tu) and Den. transparens. The culture is similar to group one, but during winter the night should not be refrigerated below 55 ° F (12 ° C) and hardly watered at this time. The orchids in this group did not tolerate cold as much as group 1.

4. Callista:

The trees of this group have a tough yogi, with 1-6 leaves growing above the top of the practitioner. Flowers grow in drooping bunches. Prominent varieties in this group include Den. amabile, Den. chrysotoxum (Hoang Ly), Den. densiflorum (Golden narcissus), Den. farmeri (White narcissus), Den. griffithianum, Den. lindleyi (Fish scales, Dragon scales), Den. thyrsiflorum (Water Fairy), Den. sulcatum (Flat water fairy) ...

This orchid group needs moderate levels of light as well as watering and fertilizer in warm summers, with temperatures around 60-90 ° F (16-32 ° C). And keep cool in winter with about 50 ° F (10 ° C) at night, watering just enough to keep the practitioner from shrinking and fertilizer free at this time.

5. Latouria:

This group of orchids usually have leaves on the head of a moderately large and thick onion. The inflorescence is erect with flowers that are predominantly white to greenish yellow, and the flowers look a little weird. Some typical orchids in this group are Den. alexandrae, Den. atroviolaceum, Den. johnsoniae, Den. macrophyllum and Den. Spectabile.

Grow well in the same environment as the Spatulatat group but only need enough light and need dry for the orchids to rest in winter.

6. Formosae:

This group includes erect onion plants with a black coat on the stems and leaves visible to the naked eye. The flowers are usually white between the flowers, yellow to red or green. Usually 2-3 flowers grow in leaf axils near the tip and can grow up to 4 inches (10 cm). Flowers perish. Typical trees like Den. bellatulum, Den. dearii, Den. draconis (One point pink), Den. formosum, Den. infundibulum, Den. lowii, Den. margaritaceum, Den. Sandera and Den. schuetzii ...

This orchid group grows well in cool climates with about 50-60 ° F (10-16 ° C) at night and no more than 85 ° F (30 ° C) during the day. Proper watering and fertilization when plants thrive and need to dry lightly when plants stop growing. Keep it lightly moistened until the plant begins to grow again.

7. The final group consists of small groups with the following characteristic trees: Den. linguiforme, Den. tetragonum, Den. gracillimum and Den. cuthbertsonii (sophronitis).

Growing well depending on the habitat of each plant, however, there is one thing in common is the need for a moderate to warm temperature with a nighttime temperature of about 55-60 ° F (12-16 ° C). Keep dry in winter or when plants stop growing.

Currently, there are many different and inconsistent classifications and even scientists still have many conflicting opinions. For example, according to the book "Dendrobium and Its Relatives" by Bill Lavarack, Wayne Harris and Geoff Stocker, Dendrobium has 34 groups and according to the Internet Orchid Species has up to 40 groups. However, as mentioned above, this is an easy to remember classification so it is used by many people and orchids in the same group are often selected and crossbred by orchid breeders to produce varieties. The hybrid orchid is beautiful but still has outstanding features.

Hopefully, the article with the above classification will help readers have a more comprehensive view of Dendrobium orchids and from there you can choose for yourself beautiful orchids that are suitable for your living area and hobbies.

Since the varieties of this orchid species number in the thousands, the above listed orchids are just a few of the most popular representatives. In addition, orchids that grow in Vietnam are listed with the accompanying Vietnamese name, but sometimes the names differ between regions, so the above Vietnamese names are used based on the name used by many people. use. Please see details of 115 species and 1147 genera in the Vietnamese Lan Rung section from A-Z.