The Golden Orchid

In Cooktown Botanic Gardens, flowering August - Septembr, is the Golden Orchid, Dendrobium discolor. (now called Durabaculum discolor).   This is the largest dendrobium in Australia with the longest canes.

Dendrobiums are a large genus of tropical orchids that consists of about 1200 species. The name is from the Greek dendron (meaning tree) and bios (meaning life). The species are either epiphytic, growing on a tree, or occasionally lithophytic, growing over a rock.

Dendrobium discolor, Golden Orchid

The Golden Orchid is found growing on coast mangrove trees and rocky cliffs near the sea in North Eastern Australia and New Guinea. It can bloom at any time of the year with many fragrant flowers. There are at least 2 varieties up this way – one has the golden yellow flowers D. discolor var broomfieldii – after Captain Broomfield the original collector) and the other is brownish with golden edges.

They often develop pseudobulbs, which unite into a long reedlike stem with a typical length of more than 30 cm.  The short, ovate leaves grow alternately over the whole length of the stems. The axillary flower buds develop into short flower stalks with one or two terminal flowers. The orchids grow quickly throughout summer, but take a long rest during winter. In the spring, new shoots are formed from the base of the main plant and the dormant buds come back into action. The blooming flowers are found on pseudobulbs formed in the previous year.

Requires warm temperatures and diffused bright light. Keep plant moist and fertilize during growth season. During winter keep plant more dry and reduce water until new shoots appear. Mist the plant and keep the mix slightly moist. Do not allow the plant to dry out completely. Grow in a well drain mix of sphagnum moss or medium fir bark.

Can be seen throughout Cooktown Botanic Gardens and in the orchid house, and June-July-August the Banks Florilegium exhibition at Natures Powerhouse has the engraving, and a living specimen on display.

Sandy Lloyd