Dendrobium Comet King ('Akatsuki') (PBR) (12cm pot | 60cm tall)

Upright cane-like stems support stunning blooms. Position: bright but indirect light Soil: good orchid potting compost Rate of growth: fast growing Hardiness: tender (indoors only) Current height: approximately 60cm (+ or - 10% including the pot) Pot cover: choose a 14cm orchid pot cover to give a good fit over the pot Shop the look: Speckled orchid planter - light grey This orchid from South East Asia has to be one of the showiest forms available. An abundance of stunning pinky-purple scented flowers with a central throat of buttercup yellow and white grow out from the upright cane-like stems and glossy green leaves. Easy to grow and definitely a 'head turner'. Please note that the pot in the photograph is not supplied with the plant (which is sent out in a simple nursery pot). They do however make excellent potted plants, and if you wish to pot yours up, we do have a wide range of pots on our website to choose from. Home care: Place this orchid in a bright spot but not in direct sun in a moderately warm room when in flower. Let the compost dry out slightly on the surface before watering with tepid soft water, or rain water, allowing any excess water to drain away and then remove - don't leave the plant sitting in water. Make sure you have good air circulation and mist regularly. Feed with orchid fertiliser throughout the growing season. Once it has flowered you can trim off the spent flowers but leave the 'cane' stems as they may support some more flowers in the following years. Over time some of the older 'canes' may become a bit woody and shrivelled - these can be cut off at the base as long as there are three new healthy canes with leaves. To flower in subsequent years the plant will need cool temperatures in the autumn and early winter for the buds to develop, and remember to reduce the watering. Once the buds have formed you can increase the watering and move it back to a warmer room to enjoy the floral display.