The dendrobiums comprise an enormous genus and their growth is extremely varied to suit all environments. A somewhat unusual species is D. cunninghami, which is adapted to the temperate conditions of New Zealand.

They grow from a fleshy horizontal rhizome which lies on the ground. Their plants form a rosette of leaves and bloom from the centre upon maturity of the growth. The glistening beauty of the leaves can be a deep velvety green, copper or mauve, laced with gold or silver threads.

These beautiful orchids do not adapt to cultivation and tend to die even with specialised culture within a few years. Culture in a bell jar is often successful for a while. There are numerous miniature orchids found throughout the world -which deserve more attention. They are every bit as beautiful as their Larger counterparts although a magnifying glass is helpful to see this.

Occasionally losing a few leaves, which are not missed, it is an evergreen which can be regularly sprayed throughout the year, and not given the completely dry resting period of the Asian species. The thin, diminutive pseudobulbs carry little food reserves and would not sustain the plant through any lengthy period of drought, although in extreme seasons the soft leaves would quickly be shed to help the plant.

Flower spikes are produced at regular intervals from the axils of the young leaves. Aerial roots are also made at intervals from the opposite side to the leaf, lower down on the plant.

Aeridovanda Mundyii shows the complete adaption of an epiphyte. It can exist with nothing around the roots. It is monopodial and has little reserves of water. They are the main source of food supply for the plant. Only occasionally is a single old leaf shed, their lifespan being for many years. The plant grows from a downward-creeping rhizome and the large green flower emerges from inside the base of the leaf. In cultivation the pendent habit should be retained and regular spraying essential.