The common name is Pink rock orchid and is an outstanding reliable plant for any garden with a few rocks to establish them on. They only grow to about 15 cm tall and the flower spikes are about 10 cm tall. They are many flower colour variations from white to purple.
They do best in full sun to partial shade with good air circulation and no frosts. They are not hard to establish as you only need a few ‘aerials’ (small new plants with roots that form on established pseudobulbs) or a small clump of pseudobulbs to start with. They establish better if they are held/tied down to prevent movement until established. Lightly covering the base with leaf litter aids establishment as it keeps new roots (the ones with green tips) cool. Water when the leaf litter dries out and once established, they need no further watering unless it is very dry and hot weather.
Dendrobium delicatum
This is a taller growing orchid – to around 40 cm tall and the flower spikes are around 15 cm tall and they have very pleasant scent, more noticeable in the morning. Their flower colour is white with a pinkish tinge. Growing conditions are as above.
Fertilising
Once new roots commence to grow over the rocks you planted them on, they can be fertilised with a liquid fertiliser (PowerFeed) at half strength every few weeks in spring. The new growth is identified by the green tips on their white roots, that are attaching themselves to the surrounding rocks.