Dendrobium parishii var. rubra

This species is native to Thailand, the eastern Himalayas, China, Laos and Vietnam, is sometimes known as the "hand orchid" due to the canes (pseudobulbs) that grow looking like fingers. The 1" to 1.5" flowers emerge from the sides of the dormant canes in spring and smell of strawberries and cream. When these plants get large, they are really fantastic with lots of longer lasting flowers that appear like they have been varnished.

This species does need a dry rest in winter with no fertilizer. The leaves will begin to fall off in January or so and then the buds will emerge at the leaf axils. Water only enough to prevent any shriveling of the pseudobulbs. Once the flower buds start to show then step up the watering but do not fertilize until you see new growths emerging. The rubra form is the darkest of the species. This particular selfing was made from one which has a splash petal look with white splashes in the petals. So far though these have been flowering out as the rubra form. It is possible that a few might have the splash petal trait.