Whereas there are some 40 Cattleya orchid species, the number of different Dendrobium species rises up to about 1200.

Another difference between Cattleyas and Dendrobiums is their origin. If Cattleyas are native to Central America and South America, dendrobiums are native to Asia, particularly South and East Asia. We find in Philippines, Indonesia and even Australia their natural habitat.

Dendrobiums can be placed, like Cattleyas, to the direct rays of the sun (maybe avoiding the strongest rays of the afternoon during summer). Growers of this kind of orchids never forget that dendrobiums thrive in conditions with heat and a great amount of light.

They are Epiphytes like Cattleyas: Dendrobiums grow on the bark of trees in their natural habitat. Nevertheless, out from the 1200 different species, some can also grow clinging their roots to rocks. These are called lithophytic plants.

Even if Dendrobium orchids in general are heat lovers, some species have adapted to cooler atmospheres and can be found in the Himalayan region or in New Zealand in their natural habitat.

There is also a great number of Dendrobium hybrids.

After they have bloomed in Spring, Dendrobium orchids can be repotted – but not every year. Once every two years should be enough for the orchid health.

The famous blue orchid is a dendrobium. Its scientific name is Dendrobium Victoriae-Reginae. Also the Dendrobium Discolor is widely know as Golden Orchid among orchid hobbyist and growers.

Dendrobium orchids have something in common with Cattleyas and that is, that they do not need to be moist all the time. On the contrary, they like some periods in which the orchid media has dried up. Therefore, watering our dendrobium orchids once (or two depending on the humidity level) a week should be the best for them.

Dendrobium orchids are also called Den in their abbreviated form.

Dendrobium Orchid

To know more about Dendrobium orchids and Orchid Care in general, I recommend the reading of the book Caring for Orchids Indoors and Outdoors.