Dendrobium discolor 'Rigo Twist'

Dendrobium discolor 

Lindley 1841 

SECTION Spatulata

I have been growing this beautiful Dendrobium discolor along my balcony since April 2010. This hot growing lowland orchid species can be found from Australia to Papua New Guinea. The plant can grow at least 2.0 m high in its natural habitat. This all year round bloomer can produces an average of 40 brownish yellow flowers on a 50-60 cm long spike. The flower measures 4 cm wide.


The featured plant, Dendrobium discolor 'Rigo Twist' is considered a dwarf form of the species:
i)   As its height is only 15-16 cm tall;
ii)  Each flower measures 3 cm wide x 2.5 cm high. The flower spike is about 15-16cm long.

I am quite surprised that the orchid managed to bloom at my balcony which is partially lit up for 2-3 hrs during the day. 

Total flower counts: 22 flowers.

I have noted that the plant's 1st bloom is during July 2010 and 2nd bloom is May 2011. The spikes are borne from the orchid's previous pseudo bulb. The flowers can last around 2-3 weeks and are slightly scented during daytime and even after nightfall.

The plant falls under SECTION Spatulata, which the typical flower have the distinctive twisted lateral sepals that resembles horn of an antler, hence the common name 'the antler or antelope orchid'.

Close-up of the twisted pairs of lateral sepals. 

Another 3 flower inflorescences was observed between mid May- June 2011. One of the spike with 10-12 flowers, was borne from the new pseudo-bulb (refer to above photo) and the other two emerging spikes are from the old bulb.

I hope the number of flower counts would improve from the orchid's subsequent flowering.