Dendrobium,
an introduction to the species un cultivation.
by Sybella Schelpe & Joyce Stewart.
115 pp., many colour photos,
1990, ed. Orchis Sundries Ltd., Dorset – England.
ISBN 1-873-035-004
This book is dedicated to Ted Schelpe, orchidologist, curator of the Bolus Herbarium and lecturer in plant taxonomy at the University of Cape Town.
In their foreword the authors write about how they were inspired by Ted Schelpe († 1985) to publish this book about the culture of Dendrobiumspecies, Teds first love.
The introduction provides brief information about the genus Dendrobium: where the species grow, how they grow, the diversity, etc…
In chapter 1, Dendrobiums and their habitats, we read about the characteristics of the plant, its distribution and the climates in which they occur (p. 11-15).
Chapter 2, Cultivation, informs about watering, humidity, temperatures, light, air circulation, potting, pest and diseases, propagation and sources of plants (p. 16-19).
Chapter 3 is an introduction to the Classification of the genus Dendrobium, the sections, genera and subgenera in the genus (p. 20-21).
From chapter 4 on the Sections and several species in each section are described, short information for culture is given:
- Section Dendrobium (p. 22-47) with species such as Dendrobium moniliforme (L.) Sw. (the type of the genus), Dendrobium nobile Lindl., Dendrobium falconeri Hook., Dendrobium aphyllum (Roxn.) Ficher, Dendrobium senile Parish & Rchb.f., Dendrobium pulchellum Roxb. ex Lindl. among others…
- In Section Callista (p. 48-54) the species Dendrobium lindleyi Steud., Dendrobium harveyanum Rchb.f., Dendrobium brymerianum Rchb.f., Dendrobium densiflorum Lindl., etc…
- In Section Formosae (p. 55-65) the species Dendrobium formosum Roxb ex Lindl., Dendrobium infundibulum Lindl., Dendrobium cruentum Rchb.f., Dendrobium cariniferum Day & Rchb.f., Dendrobium longicornu Lindl., Dendrobium sanderae Rolfe, etc…
- Section Spatulata (p. 66-72) with following species (p. 67-72): Dendrobium antennatum Lindl., Dendrobium stratiotes Rchb.f., Dendrobium taurinum Lindl., etc…
- In the Section Phalaenanthe (p. 73-77) the species Dendrobium affine (Decne) Steud., Dendrobium bigibbum Lindl., Dendrobium phalaenopsis Fitzg., etc…
- In the Section Latouria (p.78-82) the species Dendrobium spectabile (Bl.) Miq., Dendrobium macrophyllum A. Rich., etc…
- In the Section Dendrocoryne (83-86) species such as Dendrobium aemulum R. Br., Dendrobium speciosum Smith, Dendrobium kingianum Bidw. ex Lindl. and Dendrobium tetragonum Cunn.
- Section Pedilonum (p. 87-92) with the species Dendrobium amethystoglossum Rchb.f., Dendrobium victoriae-reginae Loher, Dendrobium miyakei Schlr., Dendrobium bullenianum Rchb.f., Dendrobium smillieae F. Muell., etc…
- In the Section Calyptrochilus (p. 93-94) the species Dendrobium subclausum Rolfe and Dendrobium lawesii F. Muell.
- In the Section Oxyglossum (p. 95-98) the species Dendrobium cuthbertsonii F. Muell., Dendrobium violaceum Kraenzl. and Dendrobium vexillarius J.J. Smith.
- The Section Rhizobium (p. 99-100) with Dendrobium linguiforme Sw. and Dendrobium teretifolium R. Br.
- The Section Rhopalanthe (p. 101102) with Dendrobium crumenatum Sw. and Dendrobium cinnabarinum Rchb.f.
- The Section Aporum (p. 103) with Dendrobium leonis (Lindl.) Rchb.f.
- The Section Macrocladium (p. 104) with Dendrobium cunninghamii Schltr.
- The Section Stachyobium (p. 105) with Dendrobium delacourii Guill.
- In the Setcion Fytchianthe (p. 106) Dendrobium fytchianum Bateman.
- In the Section Breviflores (p. 107) Dendrobium aduncum Wall. ex Lindl.
In 17 Sections a total of 25 species (incl. 2 natural hybrids and some varieties) are described with briefly culture information.
At the end we find suggestions for ‘Further Reading (p. 108-109), ‘Publications on Dendrobium by E.A. Schelpe’ (p. 109), a ‘Glossary’ (p. 110-112) and an ‘Index’.
Conclusion.
This booklet is a must have and a must reading for all Dendrobium fanatics but also for orchid enthusiasts who like to start an orchid collection with some or a lot of Dendrobium species.
Dendrobium, an introduction to the species un cultivation is still offered through among others: Amazon, AbeBooks, etc…