Den nobile, the species -
 

As much as I like the nobile hybrids, I love the simple beauty of the species. They just seem so fragile when in fact they are a tough old bird.

Wow, the species certainly is gorgeous!! I think it's the first time I've seen a photo of one, usually all you really see are the hybrids

That is why I grow alot of species. We are making so many hybrids, that is all the majority of the general public knows. Meanwhile we are losing more and more wild habitat everyday killing off species that we haven't even seen yet. It's just my little way of making sure that not all species disappear.

Gorgeous flowers and photos, Glen.

Just had to say that I like your way of reasoning and congrats on a gorgeous species den. :)

Thanks Camille, Ron and Mutant, your comments are always welcome and appreciated.

Love the colors.

Thanks Josh, the species is pretty variable in that the amount of color varies from plant to plant but the color combination stays the same white, purple and black. There are other varieties also: var virginalis is obviously all white and var cooksonianum differs from the species type in that the petals lay flat ontop of the sidelobes of the lip and has much more purple on the petals.

Nice one, Glen !!!

I also have the species, and it looks pretty much identical - great little plants. :) I didn't "neglect" mine enough over the winter, so I got quite a few keikis. Not that I'm complaining... :)

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gMtc4IM5LF...0/IMG_7674.JPG
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--tfCaB5Ek4...0/IMG_7679.JPG

Ooo! Beautiful! Hopefully I can get blooms from the keikis you so kindly sent me last summer. They have nubs on them, but they didn't get a real rest as I was waiting for foliage shedding. They did drop a leaf here or there from the time I got them til early fall, but nothing like I thought I should expect. So, I may be getting keikis - just have to wait and see.

---------- Post added at 06:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:19 PM ----------

Lovely! :wtg:

Greetings:o)
I just joined moments ago, found this forum and Glen's pictures of his den species full of flowers. What luck! I bought a den. nobile's a few weeks ago to extend my phal collection--thought I would branch out for a little challenge--imagine my delight when I saw his post, which is identical to my new little one. I'm really looking forward to further research and the discussions in this forum. Cheers, Ophita

Very nice indeen, Glen...that Dendrobium you gave me is sprouting buds...I just started watering it...as soon as I saw a bud or two... its mounted...I am sure it is very thirsty by now...I will post pictures as soon as I have several opened blooms

I love the natural beauty of species rather than hybrids.

You'll get no arguement from me on that point. That's not to say that I can't or don't appreciate the beauty of some crosses.

Glen, that's a great looking group of blooms. And you're right, Den. nobile is very much a tough plant. How low does the temperature drop in your area of Florida during the winter? I bought two adult nobiles from RF Orchids a number of years ago, and although they grew (judging by their size) very well in South Florida, they didn't have any evidence of old spikes. So I've deliberately tortured them ever since with three dry months of very cool winter temperatures and they bloom like mad every year. Congratulations on your flowers. They're really attractive.

Steve

Steve - our normal winter lows are in the mid 40's but the past couple of years we have had some really hard freezes and the nobiles lived thru it outdoors. Tough little buggers.