Rock orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rock orchid |
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The Dendrobium speciosum, often called the rock orchid or cane orchid, is a type of orchid from Australia. These plants can look very different from each other. You can find them growing in many places. They might grow on tree branches or trunks, like epiphytes. They can also grow on rocks, like lithophytes.
This orchid grows all along the east coast of Australia. You can also find it in certain areas near the Tropic of Capricorn. When it grows on rocks, it forms huge groups. These groups can spread out over cliffs and rocks. They often grow in sunny spots. Their roots form thick, tangled mats that hold the plant firmly to the rock. You can find them from sea level up to about 900 metres (3,000 ft) high.
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What Does the Rock Orchid Look Like?
The Dendrobium speciosum is a plant that can grow on trees or rocks. It has roots that spread out. It also has thick, stem-like parts called pseudobulbs. These pseudobulbs can be from 50 to 1,800 millimetres (2 to 71 in) long. They are usually 10 to 60 millimetres (0.4 to 2.4 in) wide.
Each pseudobulb has up to seven leaves at its top. These leaves are usually thick and feel like leather. They are about 50 to 250 millimetres (2 to 10 in) long. They are also 10 to 80 millimetres (0.4 to 3.1 in) wide. The leaves can stay on the plant for up to twelve years!
The flowers of this orchid come in many colours. They can be white or bright yellow. The flower stems, called racemes, can be different lengths. They range from 50 to 800 millimetres (2 to 31 in) long. The number of flowers on each stem also varies a lot. There can be as few as two flowers or as many as two hundred.
Each flower is 12 to 70 millimetres (0.5 to 2.8 in) long. They are 20 to 80 millimetres (0.8 to 3.1 in) wide. The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, is longer but thinner than the side sepals. The petals are about the same length as the side sepals. But they are only half as wide.
The special lip of the flower, called the labellum, often has reddish-purple spots or lines. It has three parts, called lobes. The side lobes stand up and are curved. The middle lobe can be pointed, rounded, or almost square.
Most varieties of this orchid flower between August and October. However, some can flower earlier, in May. Others might flower later, in November.
How the Rock Orchid Got Its Name
The Dendrobium speciosum was first officially described in 1804. This was done by James Edward Smith. He looked at a plant found at Port Jackson in Australia. This plant was sent to him by John White. The description was written in a book called Exotic Botany.
The second part of its name, speciosum, is a Latin word. It means "beautiful," "splendid," or "showy." This name perfectly describes the orchid's lovely flowers!
Different Types of Rock Orchids
The Dendrobium speciosum is a very diverse plant. This means it has many different forms, called varieties. Here are some of the types that are known:
- Dendrobium speciosum var. blackdownense: This type usually grows on rocks. It has 14 to 113 flowers. The flowers are off-white to deep golden yellow. They bloom from August to November. You can find it on the Blackdown Tableland.
- Dendrobium speciosum var. capricornicum: This one is known as the Capricorn rock orchid. It mostly grows on rocks. It has 30 to 50 white flowers. They bloom between May and August. It is found near Yeppoon and Rockhampton.
- Dendrobium speciosum var. carnarvonense: This is called the gorge pink rock orchid. It grows in gorges near streams. It has 2 to 7 small, pale pink flowers. They bloom from August to November. It is only found near Carnarvon Gorge.
- Dendrobium speciosum var. grandiflorum: This is known as the golden king orchid. It grows on trees or rocks. It has 50 to 150 large, creamy yellow to bright yellow flowers. They bloom from August to October. It is found in Queensland.
- Dendrobium speciosum var. hillii: This is called the pale king orchid. It grows on trees and rocks. It has 70 to 200 white or cream-coloured flowers. They bloom from August to October. It grows from Queensland to New South Wales.
- Dendrobium speciosum var. speciosum: This is the Sydney rock orchid or rock lily. It grows on rocks. It has 30 to 100 crowded cream or dull yellow flowers. They bloom between August and October. It is found from Bulahdelah to near the Victorian border.
Traditional Uses
An old book from 1889, The Useful Native Plants of Australia, mentions this plant. It says that the large pseudobulbs of the rock lily were eaten by the Aboriginal people. However, they did not contain much food value.
Pollination
The Dendrobium speciosum orchid attracts insects that help it reproduce. For example, the stingless bee called Tetragonula carbonaria is a potential pollinator. These bees are drawn to the plant by its large, cream to yellow flowers. The flowers also have a nice smell.
The size of the flowers can be different among the various types of D. speciosum. Bees that are the right size visit the flowers. When they do, they help the orchid make seeds.
Natural Hybrids
Sometimes, the Dendrobium speciosum mixes with another orchid called Dendrobium gracilicaule. When they do, they create a new natural hybrid plant. This new plant is called Dendrobium × gracillimum.
Growing the Rock Orchid
This orchid is very popular to grow in gardens. It can become a very large plant. It grows well outdoors in places where winters are not too cold.
You can plant it in a special mix for orchids. This mix should be open and coarse. You can also grow it on a strong tree with an open leafy top. Or, you can plant it in the ground if the soil drains water well.
This orchid needs a lot of bright light, even full sun. You should water it regularly, but not too much. It can handle different temperatures. But it needs to be warm during its growing season. If it gets frost, its leaves can fall off. It might take years for the plant to recover from frost damage.
When you grow D. speciosum, its pseudobulbs can become very big. It helps to give it plant food regularly. Even if you grow it perfectly, it might not flower every year. This is especially true for plants that come from cooler, more southern areas.
