Dendrobium speciosum var. capricornum is the most northerly variety of Dendrobium speciosum, and least common in cultivation in the USA. Our plant is similar in size to the var. pedunculatum of this species, with short, compact canes.
Due to its northerly Australian range, we bring this variety inside for the winter with our other Queensland Dendrobium, for a minimum night temperature of 50F (10C). Our other varieties of Dendrobium speciosum, except var. penduculatum, winter outdoors all year. They are tolerant of winter lows in the upper 20s (-3C) in a sheltered location near the house.
This flower spike took nearly 3 weeks to open. In the final photo, you can see that the freshest flowers are pure white, and the rest of the stalk is darkening to a cream color, with the first opened blooms ready to drop.
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