Dendrobium nobile 'Sunny Eyes' - Noble Orchid

The striking colour of these fragrant blooms does make it feel a little like you're being watched by this Orchid's blooms. But you'll need to sample its sweet scent alongside the striking colour for the full experience... The stems of this Noble Orchid sprout their mid-green leaves on alternating sides, and from these stems the flower spikes also grow. These flowers are a creamy white, with bright pink tips and burgundy centres - the 'pupil' in the 'sunny eyes' that give this cultivar its name. 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 'Sunny Eyes' (renowned tree-life plant, cultivar: sunny eyes)

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, Sunny Eyes 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
Keep in a bright spot out of direct sun, especially in spring and summer when the sunlight can be too harsh for your Noble Orchid. A splash of morning sun in autumn and winter can be helpful while your orchid's growth slows.

Water
Water when the top third of the soil has dried; it's especially important to keep the soil moist when your Orchid is blooming or you'll risk losing the flowers. Water with room temperature water as cold water can shock the plant, and make sure to reduce watering in winter when it'll be using less water.

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
Feed every couple of weeks with a foliar Orchid feed. This is especially important in spring when your Orchid is ramping up the growth; you can probably feed less over winter. 

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.