beginnercommonDendrobium
Cooktown Orchid
Dendrobium bigibbum
Long arching sprays of purple blooms that last for months.
Bloomspurplewhite
Sign in to addWatermedium
Water when nearly dry
Lightmedium
Bright filtered light
Foodmedium
Monthly orchid fertilizer
Temp
65-85°F
Humidity
50-70%
Origin
Australia
Special care:Floral emblem of Queensland; long-lasting sprays.
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.
