The inspiration for this orchid portrait is to share the fascinating color change from a pure white bud to brilliant pink bloom, just a day or so before the flower opens. When the seedling first bloomed, I was very curious what the flower was going to look like as I watched the bud develop.
Dendrobium Le Papillon Rose is the primary hybrid of Dendrobium papilio, with a pure white flower, and Dendrobium glomeratum, well-known for its vividly pink flower. The bud is certainly similar to Dendrobium papilio, as is the larger flower size, and elongated petals. But otherwise, Dendrobium glomeratum dominates the visual impression of the flower.
We grow Dendrobium Le Papillon Rose in our cool room, alongside Dendrobium papilio. Winter nights are about 50F (10C), occasionally a little lower, and summer highs reach into the mid 80s (29C). Humidity is constantly 60-70%. This primary hybrid is fine rooted, like Dendrobium glomeratum, and we pot both in baskets lined with with green moss and filled with New Zealand tree fern. This is our standard for most New Guinea Dendrobium, and other wetter growers from the region.
Interested in more unique and beautiful orchid images?
My vision to create orchid portraits emerged from my appreciation for the “whole orchid.” So many photographs of orchids focus only on the flower. But orchids are not flowers: they are entire plants and living beings. Connect more deeply with the many dimensions of orchids …
