pineapple orchid

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A medium-sized, evergreen, epiphytic orchid with cane-like, fleshy, green upright pseudobulbs up to 60cm long. Four to six dark green, leathery, glossy leaves are arranged along the upper nodes and near the top of each pseudobulb. Each lance-shaped leaf is 10-15cm long and 6-7cm wide. Pendant, densely-flowered racemes emerge from the axils of leaves in winter and spring. Short-lived flowers are bright yellow, 5cm large with rounded lip with darker yellow-orange centre.

Scientific classification

Species: pineapple orchid (Dendrobium densiflorum)
Genus: Dendrobium
Family: Orchidaceae

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Toxicity: Conservatory Greenhouse
Plant type: 0.5-1 metres
Height: 0.5-1 metres
Spread: Evergreen · Semi 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

pineapple orchid pictures

Distribution of pineapple orchid

Distribution map

Himalaya to Southeastern Asia and China

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Culture

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Toxicity

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Quick identification of pineapple orchid

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pineapple 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 enough, 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 cool to warm-growing orchid with average temperatures between 16-25°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. Reduce watering and feeding until warmer temperatures initiate new growth in spring. See indoor orchid cultivation

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