Dipodium ensifolium

Dipodium ensifolium F. Muell.

Tribe: CYMBIDIEAE

Subtribe: CYRTOPODIINAE

Temperature: I.C.

Country: Australia

An eastern tropical species found from the Herbert to the Annan Rivers found growing from lowland coastal areas in its southern limits to highlands above 750m in its northern limits.

Dipodium ensifolium is a terrestrial species that requires a large deep pot and a rich soil media. This Dipodium rests in winter and should be kept on the drier side at that time. When growing, it will take a lot of water and should be grown in a sunny position, short of leaf burn.

A native of North Queensland and found in open woodlands, heathlands and open grasslands where there is a definite wet and dry season.

This species can be grown more easily (certainly for a much longer period) by hobbyists than some of the other Dipodiums due to it not being a sapprophite. This species has leaves and does photosynthesize so it is not reliant on forming a relationship with a fungus like the sapprophytic Dipodium species. In cultivation they require drier conditions when the plant is not growing in the cooler months.