Long Tu orchid - Characteristics, classification and growing techniques from A to Z

Dendrobium primulinum is a wild orchid native to Asia, with soft, drooping stems, flowers blooming in long clusters, and is an epiphytic orchid.

Long Tu orchid (scientific name: Dendrobium primulinum) is a species of orchid belonging to the genus Dendrobium, very popular in Vietnam because of its beautiful flowers, many colorful colors such as white, purple, yellow... and especially often blooms during Tet.

However, this orchid only blooms once a year and the blooming time is only about 2 weeks or less. Therefore, if you do not know how to take care of it, it can cause the Long Tu orchid to bloom in the wrong season or even not bloom at all.

So, in today's article, let's learn more about the origin, characteristics and techniques for planting and caring for Long Tu orchids so that they can grow healthily and bloom on time .

Origin & distribution of Long Tu orchid

Orchid dragon tu or also known as Long tu orchid.

Dendrobium primulinum, scientifically known as Dendrobium primulinum, is a native wild orchid species originating from tropical Asia, commonly distributed in the following countries:

• Vietnam : Mainly in the Northern mountainous provinces and Central Highlands such as Lao Cai, Son La, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Daklak,...
• Thailand, Laos, Myanmar
• India

Lan Long Tu is a parasitic species that grows on tree trunks or clings to rocks. It likes to live in places with a humid, cool climate, with a clear distinction between the dry and rainy seasons.

Morphological characteristics of Long Tu orchid

Long tu orchid pots with long, eye-catching flower clusters.

Long Tu is a wild orchid with a long, soft stem and a characteristic purple-pink flower color. The flowers grow along the stem, forming beautiful long chains. Let's learn more about the stem, leaves, flowers and roots of this Long Tu orchid.

Close :

• Long, 40 - 100 cm long, can even be longer with optimal care.
• Cylindrical, hollow inside, plump, with a layer of fine hairs
• The stem is green then turns purple as the tree ages, the stem has many dents - the tree's dormant eyes.

Leaves :

• Growing alternately along the stem, the leaves are thin, elongated and bright green.
• Leaves fall before the plant begins to flower, usually from late fall to early winter.
• Each stem usually has only 5 - 10 leaves.

Flower :

• Grows directly from the nodes on the stem, each axil has 1 - 2 single flowers.
• Usually light purple-pink, the flower throat is yellow with a layer of velvety fluff inside, and there are also dark purple, white,... depending on the species.
• Soft petals, large lip, slightly wrinkled.
• Long tu has a pleasant fragrance, usually blooms from late spring to early summer (March - May of the solar calendar)
• Flowers bloom for only 5 - 10 days.

Roots :

• The wind roots, growing from the base of the stem, are ivory white when dry and light green when wet, covered with a layer of smooth velvet.
• Good adhesion to the substrate.

3 Popular Types of Long Tu Orchids in Vietnam

Currently, in Vietnam, there are 3 popular types of long tu orchids: Da long tu, Lao long tu and spring long tu. Let's learn more about these types of long tu below.

Stone orchid

The stone orchid has a very beautiful light purple pink color.

Da Long Tu is one of the rarest and most difficult to grow Long Tu orchids, often growing naturally on rocky crevices and mountain slopes in the Northwest of Vietnam. They have short, thick stems, darker purple, and more velvet hairs than Long Tu Xuan. The special feature of this Long Tu species is that they have the best drought resistance among the 3 Long Tu species, and need meticulous care and techniques to help the plant bloom beautifully as desired.

Spring orchid

Spring orchid branches.

It is one of the most popular dragon flowers in Vietnam because it often blooms right on the occasion of Lunar New Year. They have long, curved stems, a pleasant aroma and are especially easy to grow and bloom quickly.

If you want your Long Tu orchid to bloom in time for Tet, choose Long Tu Xuan.

Orchid from Laos

Laotian Cymbidium with large flowers.

Laotian Long Tu are Long Tu orchids exploited from Laotian forests, the trunk is usually larger than Vietnamese Long Tu. In addition, they also bloom more, the flowers are large, have a characteristic light purple-pink color, at first it is quite difficult to domesticate but after getting used to the environment, they grow very quickly.

However, Lao Long Tu has a rather late flowering time, usually in late spring to early summer, so if you want to grow a type of Long Tu orchid that blooms during Tet, you should not choose Lao Long Tu.

Detailed techniques for planting and caring for Long Tu orchids for beginners

Cymbidium orchids are grown on different substrates.

Lan Long Tu is a wild orchid species, so you need to know how to plant and care for it properly so that the plant can bloom in season and at its most beautiful. Please refer to the detailed techniques for planting and caring for Lan Long Tu that we share below.

Seed treatment & substrate preparation

If you are new to Long Tu orchids, you should prioritize choosing potted tissue culture varieties for easier care. If you choose wild varieties, please carefully process them according to the following instructions:

• Soak the roots in Physan or Benkona for 5 - 10 minutes.
• Remove and let drain for 1-2 days before planting and grafting.

Prepare the substrate :

• Choose a terracotta pot with good drainage, and hang the pot high because Long Tu is a hanging orchid.
• Choose wooden board, driftwood or moss.

How to plant and graft the substrate for orchid

Here are extremely detailed instructions on how to plant or graft a substrate for Long Tu orchids. Please learn more to know the correct planting techniques so that the plant can take root quickly.

Board/driftwood jointing :

• Use nylon or plastic ties to fix the orchid roots to the board/driftwood.
• Note to let the base touch the substrate, the stem hangs down naturally.
• Water regularly by misting for 2 weeks to help the plant recover and take root.

Growing dragon fruit in pots :

• Line the bottom of the pot with a layer of charcoal or pumice to help with drainage.
• Place the orchid in the middle of the pot, cover the base with moss, coconut fiber or coconut fiber to keep it in place and warm.
• Be careful not to cover the base to avoid waterlogging.

Optimal light and humidity conditions for Long Tu orchids

For Long Tu orchids to adapt and grow well, you need to pay attention to the temperature, humidity and light factors suitable for this wild orchid species, specifically as follows:

• Light : Scattered light, partial shade from 50 - 70%, avoid strong sunlight
• Humidity : 50 - 80%, mist when the weather is too dry.
• Plant: In airy place

Proper care of Long Tu orchid

Depending on each stage of development of the Long Tu orchid, you will need to take care of it in different ways, typically as follows:

• Newly grafted and newly planted orchids: Place in a cool place, mist 1-2 times/day, absolutely do not fertilize at this stage.

• Dendrobium orchid has taken root: Fertilize with B1 or NPK 30-10-10 in diluted doses, every 10 - 14 days.

• Dendrobium orchid is preparing to bloom: Limit watering and stop fertilizing to stimulate flowering.

Disease prevention for Long Tu orchids

Long tu is a wild orchid, so when it is newly domesticated or exposed to unsuitable care conditions, it is susceptible to fungus, rot, red aphids, etc. If you do not know how to handle it promptly, it can lead to slow growth, weakening and even death of the plant. Please follow the detailed signs of disease and treatment methods shared below.

Long tu orchid price list

Currently, Long Tu orchids are sold in Vietnam at many different prices, ranging from a few hundred thousand and depending on the line, origin or young plant, mature plant,... Specifically, please refer to the following price list.

Note :

• Prioritize choosing seedlings with clear origin. You should choose tissue cultured plants if you do not have much experience.
• Check to see if the plant has many roots, a shiny trunk, and is free of pests and diseases before buying.

Questions and answers about Long Tu orchid?

What month does the orchid usually bloom?

Depending on the species of Long Tu orchid, they will have different flowering times. Spring Long Tu blooms in spring, Lao Long Tu blooms from March to May,...

Is orchid fragrant?

The orchid has a gentle and very pleasant fragrance, not as strong as many other orchid species.

Beautiful orchid pictures

Right below are beautiful pictures of orchids with many different colorful colors, please admire more to fully feel the beauty of this orchid species.

A very beautiful pot of purple orchid.

Laotian orchid flowers are white with yellow pistils.

Purple orchid is grown on a tree trunk.

The purple la long tu branches hang down super beautiful

Two giant and beautiful orchid pots.

Thus, through the article on orchid-vn.com, we have shared with you information related to Long Tu orchids as well as techniques for planting and caring for this orchid species properly. We hope you can apply it successfully and help the orchid bloom in time for Tet.

If you want to learn more about many orchid species or the most standard orchid growing techniques, don't miss other articles in our Blog section, we guarantee there is a lot of interesting knowledge waiting for everyone.