Trumpet orchid - Detailed planting and care techniques

Trumpet orchid (Trumpet orchid) is a popular wild orchid in Vietnam. Its flowers are light purple and its lip is shaped like a trumpet.

The trumpet orchid, also known as the trumpet orchid, is a wild orchid that is very popular in Vietnam because of its special shape and often blooms in the spring. The most prominent feature of this orchid is the trumpet-shaped lip, the flower has a gentle purple color, and a sweet, pleasant fragrance.

In today's article, let's learn in detail about the origin, characteristics and techniques of growing trumpet orchids so you can confidently try your hand at this special wild orchid .

Origin & distribution of trumpet orchid

Trumpet orchid is a species of orchid in the genus Dendrobium.

Dendrobium lituiflorum, also known as trumpet orchid, is a genus of orchids. This orchid species originates from tropical regions of Asia such as Vietnam, China, Thailand, Laos, India, Bhutan,...

In Vietnam, the trumpet orchid is one of the native species distributed mainly in the northern mountainous provinces and the Central Highlands such as Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Kon Tum, Gia Lai and Lam Dong. They often grow clinging to large tree trunks or on cliffs, in places with high humidity and ventilation.

Currently, the trumpet orchid is considered one of the rare wild orchid species in Vietnam because it is at risk of depletion due to overexploitation.

The name “lituiflorum” in Latin means “trumpet-shaped flower”, referring to the characteristic shape of this orchid species.

How to identify trumpet orchids

Close-up of a trumpet orchid with a soft, eye-catching shape.

Below is a detailed description of the physical characteristics of the trumpet orchid to help you easily distinguish this flower from other orchid species in the orchid genus.

The flower has a shape like a trumpet :

• The flowers of the trumpet orchid have a flared shape that looks like a trumpet - this is the most characteristic feature of this flower species.
• The petals are evenly arranged, slightly curled backwards, the flower lip is trumpet-shaped, the lip is long and flared at the tip.
• Large flowers with diameter from 5 - 7 cm
• The flower has a characteristic purple-pink color, the flower lip is dark purple in the middle, the lip edge is snow white.
• Flowers grow at the stem eyes, along the leafless nodes.
• The flower has a pleasant, faint scent like sweet honey, clearly emitting fragrance in the morning or evening.
• Flowers usually bloom in March - April

Trunk :

• Pendulous, 40-100 cm long, hanging down.
• Round body slightly flattened at the joints
• The body is purple-green, flexible and tough.
• The eyes burn clearly.

Leaves :

• Grow alternately along the stem
• Leaves are lanceolate, 6 - 10 cm long
• Thin, soft leaves are bright green.
• Leaves fall in winter, before flowering.

The most detailed technique for planting and caring for trumpet orchids

Cymbidium orchid growing techniques.

If you are interested and want to try your hand at trumpet orchids, please refer to the flower planting and care techniques we share in detail below to gain valuable experience.

Prepare trumpet orchid seeds

First, you need to prepare the right orchid species. And when choosing the species, you need to pay attention to the following things to choose the most satisfactory orchid species.

• Thick trunk, free of pests and diseases
• Healthy roots, not rotten or waterlogged

After selecting the breed, soak the orchid in a diluted Physan 20 solution at a ratio of 1ml/1 liter of water for about 10 - 15 minutes to kill bacteria.

Select and process the substrate

Cymbidium is an epiphytic orchid, so you need to prepare a suitable substrate for the plant to grow best. Specifically as follows:

• Choose substrates such as driftwood, longan bark, lychee, star apple,...
• If planting in pots, choose terracotta pots + charcoal because they are both economical and have good drainage.
• After choosing the growing medium, soak the growing medium in lime water for about 1 day to remove fungus.

How to grow trumpet orchid

When planting/grafting trumpet orchids, please follow the instructions below so that the plant can take root soon.

Grafting trumpet orchid onto wood :

• Use wire or soft wire to fix the orchid to the substrate.
• Place the orchid base slightly tilted.
• Avoid covering the roots to help the roots breathe and grow most easily.

Cymbidium orchid in pot :

• Line the bottom of the pot with a layer of charcoal or coconut fiber, then place the orchid roots on top. Plant shallowly, do not cover the roots too deeply.
• Use pine bark and moss to cover the base but still leave gaps for ventilation.

Cymbidium orchid care

Here are detailed instructions on watering, fertilizing and maintaining optimal light and temperature for trumpet orchids. Let's find out now.

Watering properly :

• In the dry season: Water 1-2 times/day, do not water in the midday sun.
• Rainy season: Reduce watering, only water when the growing medium is dry.
• Winter: Just spray mist to keep moist to stimulate flower buds.

Fertilize properly:

• Cymbidium orchid growth stage: Use NPK 30-10-10 fertilizer every 10 days.
• Flowering preparation stage: Use NPK 6-30-30 fertilizer to stimulate flower bud development.

Maintain ideal light and temperature :

• Dendrobium orchids: Are orchids that like diffused light, so you should plant them in a place with 50 - 70% light, and use a black net to cover the top.
• Temperature: Maintain between 18 - 20 degrees Celsius
• Humidity: 60 - 80%

Treatment of trumpet orchids after flowers fade

After the flowers of the trumpet orchid have faded, you need to handle them promptly to help the flowers recover quickly. Follow these instructions:

• Cut off dead flowers, avoiding damaging the stem.
• If you see old, rotten stems, cut them off and keep only the charred remains.
• Add vitamin B1 and root stimulant to help plants recover quickly.

Prevention and treatment of pests and diseases for trumpet orchids

Cymbidium orchids are also susceptible to some common orchid diseases such as rot, fungus, leaf spots, etc. due to improper care conditions. Let's find out how to treat and prevent the disease optimally, shared below.

Common diseases in trumpet orchids :

Proper disease prevention:

• Spraying fungicides and pesticides periodically
• Plant orchids in a well-ventilated place with diffused light and well-drained, airy substrate.
• Regularly remove yellow leaves and diseased leaves.
• Regular fertilization with organic foliar fertilizer helps increase plant resistance.

How much is the trumpet orchid?

If you want to buy trumpet orchid but do not know if this wild orchid is expensive, please refer to the following price list to get the most detailed information.

• Wild trumpet orchid , not domesticated: 180,000 - 350,000 VND/kg
• Pure trumpet orchid : 150,000 - 450,000 VND/pot
• Cymbidium orchid cut into pieces for grafting : 30,000 - 70,000 VND/piece from 10 - 15 cm.
• Mature trumpet orchid : 500,000 - 900,000 VND/pot

Questions and answers about trumpet orchid

What month of the year does the trumpet orchid bloom?

Cymbidium orchids usually bloom from February to April, late spring to early summer.

Is trumpet orchid fragrant?

Has a light sweet scent and is very pleasant, most fragrant in the early morning.

Is Cymbidium difficult to grow?

It's not too difficult if you master the basic techniques as this is an orchid that likes open space, diffused light, likes dryness and needs a resting period in winter to stimulate flowering.

Beautiful trumpet orchid pictures

We invite you to admire the collection of super beautiful trumpet orchid images that we have compiled below so you can enjoy looking at wild orchids.

A super beautiful pot of Lai Chau trumpet orchid.

The trumpet orchid is blooming with lots of flowers.

The trumpet orchid flowers are very beautiful with a light purple color.

A giant trumpet orchid clump on a tree trunk.

A pot of beautiful drooping trumpet orchid.

The trumpet orchid is not only a wild orchid with unique beauty but also has a pleasant fragrance and often blooms right on the occasion of Lunar New Year, so it is increasingly popular among orchid enthusiasts in Vietnam.

Hopefully, through the article that orchid-vn.com shares above, it will help you better understand the trumpet orchid and master the techniques of planting and caring for orchids effectively. Don't forget to visit our Blog section every day to learn more about many other beautiful orchids.