Dendrobium nobile 'Spring Dream Star Class Apollon' - White Noble Orchid

This fountain of bright white blooms erupts from the central, mid-green stems, themselves producing lush, mid-green leaves which sprout on alternating sides of the stem and provide a backdrop to perfectly highlight the flowers. This cultivar's bright white blooms are sweetly scented to match their frilly appearance, a classy white with just a hint of spring green in the centre of each bloom. In its natural habitat, the Dendrobium is epiphytic, growing on trees in subtropical parts of southern and eastern Asia; make sure its roots have room to breathe and you can't go far wrong.

Scientific Name
Dendrobium nobile 'Spring Dream Star Class Apollon' (renowned tree-life plant, cultivar: spring dream star class of Apollo)

Synonyms: Callista nobilis, Dendrobium chlorostylum, Dendrobium coerulescens, Dendrobium formosanum, Dendrobium lindleyanum, Dendrobium wallichianum

First classified in 1830, D. nobile has retained the same scientific name ever since, though there have been other suggested names in the intervening centuries.

Common Name
Noble Orchid, Noble Rock Orchid, Bamboo Orchid, Noble Dendrobium, Nobile Orchid, White Noble Orchid, Spring Dream Noble Orchid

Origin
Native to subtropical areas in south and southeastern Asia, found in: Bangladesh, Southern China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Tibet and Vietnam.

Light
Avoid direct sun in spring and summer; used to shade from the forest canopy, the Noble Orchid can burn in harsh direct sun. It will benefit from a splash of morning sun in autumn and winter when there is generally less light to go around and its growth slows.

Water
Let the top third of your Orchid's soil dry between waters; this will keep the centre nice and moist, and is important when flowering to prevent flower loss. Use room-temperature water to avoid shocking the plant with cold water, and water less in winter when the temperature drops.

Humidity
Noble Orchids like it humid; make sure to keep it away from drying draughts and radiators. If you notice its leaves are getting brown and crispy at the edges, the air around your Orchid may be too dry; try introducing a pebble tray to increase local humidity.

Soil
A soil designed for epiphytic Orchids or Anthuriums works best here; its should have plenty of bark to help air circulation around the roots. Being slightly pot-bound will encourage it to flower, so don't go too soon - repot every 2-3 years in spring, and make sure to do so while your Orchid is not actively flowering.

Food
Use a foliar Orchid feed for best results as your Noble Orchid can absorb nutrients through its leaves. Feed every couple of weeks in the growing season, reduce over winter when growth slows.

Temperature
Temperatures between 18-27°C during the day will be ideal; a temperature drop of 5°C overnight will help encourage your Orchid to flower. Make sure it doesn't get colder than 10°C overnight or in winter as this can cause permanent damage.

Pet-safe
Yes, this Orchid is non-toxic so is safe for homes with pets and small children. Too much nobbling won't be great, so do still keep an eye on your plant and any curious hands or paws.

Sprouts Top Tips
The Noble Orchid does need some seasonal and daily changes to grow best. Once it's slowed down growth in autumn and winter, it will need slightly lower temperatures, a dash of weak morning sunlight, less water and less food to promote a proper dormancy period. Throughout the year, an overnight dip in temperatures of 5°C is perfect for encouraging blooms and healthy growth, too. If it's too consistent, your Orchid won't feel completely at home.