Dendrobium officinale
Tie Pi Shi Hu (铁皮石斛)
Photo: sunoochi from Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan — CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
China's most celebrated medicinal dendrobium — the source of premium Tie Pi Shi Hu and Feng Dou, from misty mountain cliffs.
Care Notes
Watering
High humidity with air movement; mist daily, never waterlog.
Potting & Media
Mounted on bark/fern fiber or in moss-heavy loose media.
Getting It to Bloom
Modest white-green flowers; grown primarily for stems.
FAQ
What is Feng Dou?
Feng Dou (枫斗) are tightly coiled, dried Dendrobium officinale stems — one of the most expensive herbal materials per gram in China.
Can I grow Dendrobium officinale at home?
Yes, with high humidity (60–80%), cool nights and bright shade. It is slower and fussier than ornamental dendrobiums.
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