Dendrobium aphyllum - Characteristics, growing methods and applications in oriental medicine

Dendrobium aphyllum is a hanging wild orchid with gentle colors, light fragrance, many flowers, easy to grow and care for.

Dendrobium aphyllum is certainly a familiar name to those who love wild orchids, right? They are not only known for their gentle beauty and light fragrance, but are also very easy to grow and care for, and do not require too complicated techniques .

If you want to learn more about the Dendrobium Hac Vy orchid, don't miss the content shared by wild orchids in the article below. Guaranteed you will succeed with this orchid on your first try!

General information about orchid

The Crane Orchid is a species of wild orchid with a drooping stem.

Dendrobium aphyllum, the scientific name of Dendrobium orchids, belongs to the genus Dendrobium. They have many different names such as Dendrobium aphyllum, Dendrobium aphyllum, Dendrobium aphyllum,...

Crane'sbill orchid is a native orchid that grows naturally in tropical forests in Asia, specifically:

• Vietnam: Distributed in the northern mountainous provinces such as Lai Chau, Son La, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Nghe An, Thanh Hoa,...
• Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand: Are the most popular sources of white orchids on the market.
• China, India, Nepal,...

Before the year 2000, wild crane orchids were mainly popular in Vietnam. After 2005, the Laotian and Thai crane orchids became more popular and loved because they are easy to domesticate, grow and care for.

How many types of orchids are there?

Currently, the crane orchid is divided into many different types, depending on its origin and appearance. Below are some of the most popular types of crane orchid, let's learn more.

Vietnamese Cymbidium Orchid

A Vietnamese orchid with blooming clusters of flowers.

This is a native orchid species of Vietnam, often exploited naturally from forests in Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La provinces,... This is one of the most popular orchid species thanks to its slim, small body, white-purple flowers, and light fragrance.

Thai Cymbidium Orchid

Thai crane with flowers of lighter color, less fragrant.

This is a type of Cranesbill that is industrially tissue-cultured in Thailand. They are characterized by fast growth, easy to grow, and easy to control pests. However, the flowers will be smaller and less fragrant than the wild Cranesbill variety.

Laotian Cymbidium Orchid

Laotian crane with large, beautiful flowers.

This is a Crane orchid line imported directly from Laos, currently very popular in the Vietnamese market. It has the characteristics of a large, dry stem, thicker leaves, dark purple-pink flowers, large flowers and many flowers. Besides, this orchid line is also very easy to grow, suitable for people without much experience.

Mutated Cymbidium Orchid

Thien cung orchid with super beautiful colors.

It is a mutated crane line through crossbreeding or natural selection to create crane lines with the most unique and impressive colors and shapes. Some rare mutated crane species are as follows:

• White crane orchid : Flowers are pure white, high value.
• Orchid Crane Wing : Crane Wing has long stem, even and beautiful flowers, is a selected product.
• Purple-stemmed crane orchid : Stem is darker purple than normal, strange color, rare.

Identification characteristics of the orchid

Characteristics of flowers, stems and leaves of the orchid.

Crane orchid is a drooping orchid with a graceful, soft appearance, so it is very popular in the orchid world. Let's learn more about the characteristics of this orchid below.

Close :

• The stem is soft and drooping, 50 - 100 cm long.
• The stem is round, lightly ribbed, and is usually green with a slight purple tinge.

Leaves :

• The leaves are pointed and lanceolate, growing alternately on both sides of the stem, 6 - 10 cm long.
• Leaves usually fall in late fall - early winter to help the plant rest and prepare for flowering.

Flower :

• Flowers grow from deciduous stems.
• Each node will bloom 1 - 2 flowers.
• Flowers are pale pink or dark purple, the lip is white or pale yellow, with faint veins.
• Flowers bloom from February to April, lasting about 10 days.
• Has a light, very pleasant scent.

Techniques for planting and caring for white crane orchids

The most detailed technique for growing white orchids

Selecting varieties and growing media for Cymbidium orchids

The first important factor that determines whether or not the Crane Orchid is successful is choosing the right seedlings and the most suitable substrate. Please note the following:

Choose the Crane orchid variety :

• Choose plants with plump stems, not mushy, and free of pests and diseases.
• Prioritize choosing pure Vietnamese or Lao forest types to easily adapt to our country's climate.

Choose a suitable substrate for the Cymbidium orchid :

• Wood, driftwood, dry tree trunks: Ideal choice because of good drainage and beauty.
• Plastic pots, terracotta pots with good drainage: Easy to care for, easy to move.
• The substrate needs to be treated before planting by soaking in diluted lime water to disinfect, avoiding the spread of pathogens to the Cymbidium orchid.

How to grow/graft Cymbidium orchids

Once you have chosen the right variety and substrate, proceed to plant/graft the white crane orchid according to the following instructions for the highest success rate.

Step 1 - Seed processing :

• Trim damaged, rotten roots and wilted, yellow leaves.
• Soak the tree base in Physan + B1 solution for about 10 - 15 minutes to remove fungus.
• Can be soaked in root stimulant solution to help the transplant grow faster.
• Hang the orchid in a cool place for 1 - 2 days to help the cut heal.

Step 2 - Grafting/planting orchids :

• Use soft nylon rope and neck tie to fix the orchid stem to the substrate, do not tighten.
• Let the base of the tree face up and the trunk hang down.
• Hang orchids in a cool place with diffused light.
• Do not water for the first week, just spray water gently.

Care for Cymbidium orchids in each stage

Depending on each stage and season, you need to have different ways of caring for the Cymbidium orchid. Please refer to the following instructions to make sure you are on the right track.

Germination stage :

• Light : Maintain diffused light, with 70 - 80% light.
• Watering : 1 - 2 times/day, keep moist but absolutely do not let the roots get waterlogged.
• Fertilizer : Use NPK 30-10-10 fertilizer combined with B1 to stimulate sprouts and roots to grow.

Flowering stage (dormant) :

• Time: Usually from October to January.
• Watering : reduce watering, only spray lightly about 3 times/day, stop fertilizing completely to let the tree shed leaves, rest and prepare for the flower bud differentiation stage.

Cymbidium orchid flowering stage :

• Time : February - April.
• Place and hang orchids in a cool, lightly lit place, and limit movement to avoid crushing flower buds.
• Water moderately, do not soak the buds.

Disease prevention and treatment for Cymbidium orchids

Orchids are susceptible to some common diseases such as soft rot, black fungus, unusual leaf fall... if exposed to humid, unventilated environments or improper care. Let's find out how to prevent and effectively treat them as shared below.

Important notes when growing Cymbidium orchids

Although the orchid is quite easy to grow, you still need to keep in mind a few important things below.

• Absolutely do not let orchids get waterlogged because it will lead to root rot.
• There must be a dormant period for the plant to flower.
• Do not water when orchids are differentiating buds.
• Regularly check the orchid condition to detect pests and promptly handle and treat.
• Hang orchids in a high, airy place, away from rain.

Applications of orchids in Oriental medicine

In addition to being a beautiful orchid, the crane orchid also has many applications in traditional medicine, specifically oriental medicine.

Uses of orchid

According to many studies, the orchid contains alkaloids, polysaccharides, bibenzyl, phenanthrene and many micronutrients, so its stem can be used for the following purposes:

• Used as a health tonic, nourishes yin, increases body fluids, helps restore physical weakness,...
• Soothes throat, relieves dry mouth, treats dry coughs and sore throats.
• Stimulates appetite and good digestion.

Some folk remedies with orchid

Here are some folk remedies using orchids, please refer to them.

• Treat physical weakness and insomnia : 10 - 15g dried crane tail stem, decoct with licorice and jujube, drink once a day.
• Treat sore throat : Gargle with decoction of orchid + pagoda tree flower + platycodon grandiflorum.
• Nourish yin, treat internal heat : Crane's tail + Asparagus + Ophiopogon japonicus + Rehmannia glutinosa

Notes when using orchid as medicine

Although the orchid has important applications in oriental medicine, you also need to note the following:

• Do not use on pregnant women, children or people with allergies.
• Consult a traditional medicine practitioner before use.
• Do not use moldy, poor quality orchids.

Price list of crane orchids

Depending on the origin, purity and age of the plant, the white crane orchid is sold at many different prices. If you want to know more, please refer to the information in the price list below.

Questions and answers about orchids

Are orchids fragrant?

The Cymbidium has a light, pleasant fragrance. Although not as strong as the Cymbidium or Phalaenopsis orchids, it still gives a feeling of relaxation.

What month does the orchid bloom?

Dendrobium orchids usually bloom from February to April, around late winter - early spring, depending on climate and care conditions.

Are white orchids easy to grow?

Crane's claw orchid is a drought-resistant, pest-resistant and fairly easy-to-grow orchid. However, it is necessary to master the techniques to help the orchid bloom at the right time.

Beautiful orchid pictures

We invite you to admire the collection of super beautiful Crane orchids that we have compiled below to understand why this wild orchid species is so loved by orchid enthusiasts in our country.

Super long, super beautiful clusters of white orchids.

A pot of super rare mutant white crane orchid.

Clusters of Dendrobium orchids hang down like curtains.

The hanging branches of the Cymbidium orchid look very beautiful.

Close-up of a Cymbidium orchid with its fragile beauty.

A garden of Dendrobium orchids is in bloom.

Cymbidium orchids with soft, graceful petals.

A Vietnamese orchid garden grown industrially.

With its gentle beauty and ability to adapt well to the Vietnamese environment, the Crane Orchid deserves to be one of the most worth-growing wild orchids today. As long as you grasp the basic techniques that orchid-vn.com shares above, you can completely grow the most beautiful and fruitful Crane Orchid pots yourself.

Don't forget to visit our Blog section to learn more about orchid species as well as techniques and tips for growing orchids more effectively.