Dendrobium macrophyllum is a distinct and remarkable evergreen species. The 
stems are about a foot high, clavate, and deeply furrowed in the upper part, 
bearing three or four leaves of pale green. The spikes are produced from the 
apex of the stem, and are about a foot long, the blossoms being about two 
inches in diameter; the sepals are greenish yellow, hairy externally, the smaller 
spathulate petals being yellowish white, while the lip is greenish yellow, ornamented 
with numerous streaks and dots of reddish purple. 
This plant grows naturally in the jungles of Java, in situations where it is 
both hot and moist nearly all the year round, consequently the warmest end of 
the East India-house will be found the most suitable place in which to cultivate — 
it. Whilst growing it must be abundantly supplied with water; after the growth is 
finished it must not be kept entirely without moisture, but just enough to keep 
the plant from shrivelling and to ensure healthy foliage will be sufficient, and in 
the spring of the year its flower spikes will be developed. This plant begins to 
make new growth soon after it has flowered, and this is the proper time to re-pot 
it if requisite. Never allow stagnant soil to remain about its roots; if the plant 
should fall into bad health, it should be shaken out of the old soil, and the 
roots washed, and any decaying or decayed parts should be cut away, repotting 
in fresh sweet material with good drainage. It requires but little soil to grow 
in, and we find good fibrous peat and sphagnum moss the best material for it. 
Shade is very essential to this plant during the summer, as doubtless in a wild 
state it obtains partial shading from the surrounding trees. This plant does not 
like being much disturbed, and if it is in a healthy condition there is really 
no necessity to do so. 
