Dendrobium kingianum (pink rock orchid)

Japanese name: デンドロビウム キンギアナム
Scientific name: Dendrobium kingianum

[Overview]
An evergreen perennial that grows as an epiphyte on trees or rocks.
It has spongy white roots.
The stem is 5–30 cm long and about 1–2 cm thick, thick at the base and thinner toward the top.
The leaves, 3–6 at the stem tip, are simple and alternate, lanceolate, about 3–10 cm long and 1–2 cm wide, glossy on the upper surface, and entire.
1–3 flower stalks 7–15 cm long emerge from the leaf axils, each bearing 2–15 flowers in a raceme.
The flowers are about 1.3–2.5 cm across, white to deep reddish purple, and half open.
The lip has red spots.
Flower color varies greatly.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by division or by taking offshoots.
Grow it in a sunny, well-ventilated place.
If it is not sunny enough, it flowers poorly.
Strong summer sun can cause leaf scorch, so give light shading in midsummer.
In winter, bring it indoors to a sunny place.
Use an unglazed pot and plant it in sphagnum moss.
From spring to autumn, water when the surface of the potting material begins to dry; in winter, withhold water.
Fertilizer may be sparing; place oil cake on the potting material once a month from spring to early summer.
Pests and diseases include scale insects and aphids.

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