Habitat and Ecology
 
​Dendrobium cruentum X Dendrobium ovipostoriferum is a horticultural primary hybrid and does not exist in the wild. Its parent species are both epiphytes from Southeast Asia:
​Dendrobium cruentum: From Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, a hot to warm grower from lower elevations (below 1,000m) known for black hairs on its canes (Section Formosae).
​Dendrobium ovipostoriferum: From Borneo (Kalimantan), a warm grower from hill forests known for a unique spur shape.
 
​This hybrid is bred to combine the long-lasting flowers and colourful lips of D. cruentum with the structure and vigour of its Bornean relative. It will require a warm, humid environment year-round.
 
​Description
 
​This hybrid is a sympodial perennial that forms clusters of upright, cane-like pseudobulbs. It is likely to inherit the fine black hairs (Nigrohirsutae trait) on the stems or leaf sheaths from D. cruentum. The leaves are persistent, leathery, and elliptic.
 
​The flowers are produced on short spikes from the nodes along the upper part of the mature canes, often blooming in spring and summer. The blooms are expected to be medium-sized (4-6 cm wide) and long-lasting (up to a month). The colour is a blend of the parents: typically pale green, yellowish-white, or cream-coloured sepals and petals, with a dramatic, central, tubular lip that is intensely blotched or suffused with bright red, orange, or blood-red (the cruentum trait). The flowers are faintly fragrant.
 
​Cultivation
 
​This is a warm-growing orchid that requires constant warmth and high moisture. It is best suited for a warm greenhouse, sunroom, or humid cabinet in the UK. It needs bright, filtered light; high light is crucial for flowering, but direct midday sun should be avoided. Use an open, coarse, and fast-draining epiphytic mix (bark, charcoal, and perlite). The plant requires a consistent watering schedule: keep the medium evenly moist during the active growing season but allow it to approach dryness between waterings.
 
​Optimal Daytime Temperature: 24-30 C (75-86 F)
​Optimal Nighttime Temperature: A high minimum is required, ideally 18-21 C (64-70 F).
​High humidity (60-70%+) and good air circulation are essential. Feed regularly (weekly) during the growing season with a balanced, dilute liquid orchid feed.
 
​Unique Features
​This primary hybrid is highly prized for its long-lasting flowers with a spectacularly coloured, bright red/orange lip contrasting with pale sepals. The inherited black hairs on the canes add a unique textural element. Its vigorous growth and reliability under warm conditions make it a robust and rewarding tropical specimen.
 
​Specifications
​Plant Size: As seen in the picture
​Plant Family: Orchidaceae
​Plant Passport: A Dendrobium cruentum X ovipostoriferum B 140084 C [buyer to use number of the plant label] D GB