Dimerandra elegans

[JayDee]

Hey Y'All! I am wondering - are Dimerandras considered "less desirable" than other orchids, in the orchid world?

Hee-hee, I guess my love of wild-flowers and native N. American orchids showed thru when I got my three my "beginner" orchids - after drooling over all the offerings on the web for a week, my choices didn't exactly reflect the showy beauties you'd expect a newbie to want - they look more like something you'd find on a walk in the woods than in a greenhouse, I guess. (Of course, I had to have a paph because of the wild lady's slippers I am used to, and it is more "showy" than the others, but the Dendrobium antennatum & Dimeranda elegans are not producers of big, showy, eye-stopping flowers.)

Anyway, I can find very little on Dimerandas relative to other genus (I've also looked under Isochilus), and where I find them for sale, the prices are low - and, I've only been able to find them mentioned on one orchid forum - a single picture with no replies, LOL!

I don't care if it is not considered "desirable", myself - my Dimeranda elegans is, to me, my most fascinating plant - and, it is so responsive to conditions that when I adjust them right, I can almost watch it grow! - and it came a little raggedy, and is now a very attractive plant (to me) - but perhaps more primitive-looking in form and leaves than many would find attractive.

I'm wondering, because it is sending off some growths that I hope lead to flowers, but - unlike with other types of orchids - I really can't find any detailed pictures or descriptions or information that lead me any certain conclusions of what they are, LOL....I'm going to start a photo journal, as I am learning from it as it grows -

Thanks Y'All for any info & opinions, very much!

[PaphMadMan]

I don't think anyone who knows the genus Dimerandra considers it 'less desirable' than other orchids, but it is definitely less popular than many others, and there are reasons for that. At some point most hobby orchid growers with more than a few plants begin to specialize in one genus or alliance or subtribe, or a few. Dimerandra is a small genus with only one species at all common in cultivation, with a narrow range of colors and forms. Technically in the Cattleya alliance but with no hybrids... If you've seen one Dimerandra you've pretty much seen them all, so they don't inspire collectors like the big diverse groups. It isn't exactly rare, and it can be gorgeous when well grown, but there is just no reason to have a whole greenhouse full of Dimerandra. And it isn't difficult to grow, so it doesn't need long detailed cultural information. I guess that adds up to what seems to be a limited amount of information out there. You might find some older sources that list it as Epidendrum or even Oncidium, but I don't think those will add much to the total.

[JayDee]

Thanks, Kirk! Very Helpful & Much Appreciated! I am sure one will be enough, but I will love the one I have. You ARE right - it is not difficult to grow, I wasn't kidding when I said I can almost watch it grow - if I had the patience to sit for an hour, I'm sure I could - it is very responsive to care, and the new shoots will grow over half-an-inch a day if I coax them, which is very rewarding after the agonizing over the paph budding & blooming and the Dendrodium getting its first two spikes....one of which has blighted on the end (turned brown & dried out - so I have to take a pic and send in my next question)....so, it grows like a weed, and is, perhaps, an "orchid weed" - but I don't mind at all - in it's way, it is very complex.....even without flowers, the primitiveness of it is beautiful to me - and I am very, very grateful to you for speaking up!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Post up a photo of this orchid, JayDee. Would love to see the plant.

cheers,

BD

[JayDee]

Thanks for the interest, Bruce! I shall in a couple days - taking good pics is actually a bit of a struggle for me, so I am going to wait a couple days until it is warm enough take my weedy-one outside and get pics worthy of the high standard this forum seems to maintain - I am looking forward to a little show-and-tell and feedback - I expect Y'All will be able to understand it better than I do, at this point...

[King Kjeldz]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...i live in Trinidad and i saw a Dimerandra today on an Avocado tree(walk in the woods LOL..sorry) i always have one in my native collection..showy and easy to care for...enjoy it