Cooktown orchid

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A medium to large-sized evergreen, tropical orchid with upright, cane-like stems. Three to 12 leaves are carried on the upper half of each stem. Leaves are dark green, lance-shaped, approximately 8-15cm long. Arching flowering stems up to 30cm long emerge from the upper nodes and tip of mature, leafy of leafless canes and carry up to 20, long-lasting flowers. Bright, pinkish-purple flowers are 4-7cm large and in shape resemble the ones of popular Moth Orchid.

Scientific classification

Species: Cooktown orchid (Dendrobium bigibbum)
Genus: Dendrobium
Family: Orchidaceae

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Toxicity: Conservatory Greenhouse
Plant type: 1-1.5 metres
Height: 0.5-1 metres
Spread: Evergreen
Foliage: Clump forming · Columnar upright
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
Season of interest: Partial shade · Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Cooktown orchid pictures

Distribution of Cooktown orchid

Distribution map

New Guinea, Indonesia (Lesser Sunda Islands), Australia (Queensland)

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Culture

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Toxicity

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Quick identification of Cooktown orchid

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Cooktown orchid care guide

Keep medium lightly moist with excellent aeration
Watering: Partial shade · Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Keep medium lightly moist with excellent aeration

Fertilizing

Half-strength orchid feed every few weeks in growth

Pruning

No pruning required. Remove spent flowers as necessary, but do not cut the whole cane unless completely shrivelled. Oldest canes may be removed as long as there are at least three, younger, thick, leaf-bearing canes on the plant.

Propagation

Propagation by seed is only possible in controlled laboratory environment. Mature plants may be divided when the plant overgrows the pot. Sideshoots (keiki) may develop on older canes - remove and pot them into sphagnum moss when the new roots are at least 2cm long.

Growing

Plants are best grown in a pot in an epiphytic, medium grade, bark-based potting mix with added perlite, moss, or coir. As with many orchids, they grow best when the roots are slightly restricted. Therefore, avoid over-potting or frequent root disturbance. It is a warm-growing orchid and the temperatures should not drop below 16°C. It can be grown similarly to Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis) but requires much brighter conditions. Provide indirect light and higher humidity by misting regularly in spring and summer, then move the plant to a bright, room in autumn and winter. Water approximately once per week, ensure that roots dry-out between the waterings, especially in winter. See indoor orchid cultivation

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