intermediatecommonDendrobium
Cooktown Orchid
Dendrobium bigibbum
Queensland's floral emblem; vivid purple sprays.
Bloomspurplemagenta
Sign in to addWatermedium
Water weekly when growing
Lighthigh
Very bright light
Foodmedium
Feed biweekly
Temp
65-90°F
Humidity
50-70%
Origin
Australia, New Guinea
Special care:Dry winter rest
About Cooktown Orchid
Researching Cooktown Orchid…
Care guide
Potting medium
Tight pot with fine-to-medium bark; many growers mount on cork slabs.
Repotting
Every 2–3 years; they bloom best slightly pot-bound.
Bloom season
Spring after a cool, dry winter rest.
Bloom longevity
3–6 weeks; sprays can be very showy.
Growth habit
Sympodial, with tall cane-like pseudobulbs.
Propagation
Keikis form on old canes; remove with roots and pot up.
Pests & prevention
Aphids on new growth, scale on canes.
Signs of trouble
- ●No blooms → skipped the winter rest (cool + dry Nov–Feb)
- ●Leaf drop on bare canes → normal for deciduous types
- ●Black spots on canes → fungal; improve airflow
Grower's tips
- ★Do not cut leafless canes — they store energy and may bloom again.
- ★Withhold fertilizer Nov–Feb to trigger bloom.
