\ 
DENDROBIUM SUPERBUM_. ress 
Bigibba. Caule elato crasso, foliis latis oblongoligulatis acutis, dimidiam longitudinem prope latis, crassis, vaginis purpureostriatis : racemis basi arrhizis, 
clongatis, quaq gibbo, sepalis ligula“ triangulis apiculatis, lateralibus subcurvis ; tepalis cuneato 
spatulatis obtusis bene longioribus ; labello trilobo, lobis lateralibus extror: semiovatis, lobo medic oblongo obtuso lato, hinc retusiusculo ; nervis principali- 
nervillis lateralibus pluribus conspicuis asperulis, carinis supra nervos principales a basi in basin acini medi, ibi semioblongo lamellato elevatis, 
dorso serrulatis, dentibus uniseriatis. 
8 Rehb. f Gard. Chron. 1876, Oct. 21, p. 516! Gard Chron,, ix., N. S., 49, xyl. 9! Floral Mag, 2 Ser. 294. 
F, Miill. fragm., vi, 94! Benth & Miill. Fl. Austr., vi. 278! Siquidem idem, certe non recognoscendum. 
Sepala et tepala pallide purpurea vulgo albo marginata nervis longitudinalibus nunc obscuris, Labellum pallide purpureum, Linea carinales 
purpureoviolacea, discus albus. Columna purpurea et alba. 
Torres Straits, Goldie! Spont. largitus est exc. Williams, qui plantam primus florentem habuit. 
ersis, mento breviter extinctoriiformi antice medio obscur 
Icones analyticae, Flos antice. Labellum expansum. Figura: sequentes aucte. Columna a latere. Anthera. Pollinia. 
Or all the very numerous Dendrobes in cultivation there are not many that possess such distinct characteristics as this 
North Australian species and its very near relative D. Goldei, which, indeed, is only regarded by some as a variety of D. 
superbiens, so nearly does it resemble that species. In splendour of flower colouring and elegance of growth these two 
Dendrobes have but few rivals, and their beauty is the more enjoyable because they flower, as a rule, when the majority 
of other Dendrobes are without bloom. Dendrobium superbiens is a comparatively new Orchid, having been introduced 
into Europe only about ten years ago. It is one of the choicest of the genus, and notwithstanding the fact that it does 
not grow with such freedom as most others do, no orchidist likes to be without it. It isa member of that small group 
of Dendrobes which inhabit the northern region of Australia, and which are the most southern outlying species of a 
genus whose headquarters are in the rich Orchid regions of Burmah and Assam. These southern species do not, 
as some suppose, require a sub-tropical treatment; on the contrary, they need all the heat and 
bright sunshine that we, in these northern latitudes, can give them in order to grow and flower 
them successfully, but the same treatment that suits the majority of Dendrobes will not be 
applicable in the case of D. superbiens and kindred species. The ill success attending the 
cultivation of this Orchid in some collections is often traceable to improper treatment in the 
matter of temperature and rest. In order to ensure strong growth this Dendrobe must be 
grown in great heat, and in an unshaded-house. The temperature from early spring, say 
March, when the plants begin to form new growths, should range from 75 deg. to 80 deg. F., 
and a saturated atmosphere must be maintained, otherwise weakly growths will be the result. 
The ventilators of the house should be closed early in the afternoon so as to keep the 
temperature high and the atmosphere laden with moisture. There is no better place in which to 
grow D. superbiens and D. Goldei than a small house where fine foljage plants such as Crotons 
are well grown, and the finest specimens we have ever seen were grown under such conditions. 
The hot and moist treatment should be continued throughout the summer till about the end of 
August, when the temperature decreases naturally, and the plants must then be kept drier for 
about six weeks or two months. After this the plants should be removed to a warm and moist 
house, such as that devoted to Phalzenopsids, and should be watered occasionally until the 
flowering time, which is generally in October. After flowering the plants require a long 
rest in a temperature ranging from 55 deg. to 60 deg. F. At the end of February the hot treatment must be 
commenced. The splendid spikes of claret-purple flowers are borne generally on the last season’s pseudo-bulbs, 
but sometimes on the current season’s growths. Being of firm texture the flowers remain in perfection a long time 
and are therefore valuable for cutting. 
Prepared from a plant in the possession of F. G. Tautz, Esq., Studley House, Goldhawk Road, London. 
