Dossinia marmorata

Where Dossinia marmorata grows in the wild

Dossinia marmorata is native to Borneo, where it grows as a terrestrial jewel orchid in wet lowland and hill forest.

It grows on limestone among leaf litter and moss, and in sheltered spaces between rocks or on ledges from sea level to around 400 m. These sites combine warm humid air with a loose forest-floor layer around the roots.

Care for Dossinia marmorata

• Light: Give bright filtered light with protection from direct midday sun. Light from above helps the low leaves grow evenly.
• Water: Keep the potting mix evenly moist, letting the surface begin to dry before watering again. Water around the base and let splashed leaves dry promptly.
• Potting mix: Use a fine, loose orchid mix that stays moist around the roots. Small bark mixed with perlite and a little coir works well.
• Temperature: Warm, steady conditions suit this lowland tropical orchid.
• Humidity: Moderate to high humidity suits the velvety foliage. Gentle airflow helps wet leaves dry promptly.
• Feeding: Feed lightly with a balanced orchid fertiliser while new leaves or a flower spike are growing.
• Repotting: Use a shallow container and repot when the potting mix begins to break down, roots become crowded or the pot stays wet much longer than it used to.

Common problems with Dossinia marmorata

• Leaf edges turn dry or crisp: The potting mix may be drying too much, or the plant may be sitting in hot dry air. Check moisture around the roots and move it away from heaters or drying draughts.
• Bleached or papery patches appear on the upper surface: Strong direct sun can burn the velvety leaves. Move the plant into bright filtered light.
• The lower stem or roots become soft and dark: The plant may be rotting in dense wet potting mix. Remove damaged roots and cut any soft dark tissue back to firm healthy tissue with a clean blade. Discard the rotten parts and repot in fresh loose potting mix.
• Fine silver scarring, speckles or distorted young leaves appear: Thrips or spider mites may be feeding on the foliage. Isolate the plant and inspect the newest leaves and their undersides. Use a treatment labelled for the pest you find and repeat it at the interval given on the label, checking the next leaves for fresh scarring or distortion.

Keep Dossinia marmorata away from children and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its effects after chewing or swallowing are unclear, and plant material can still cause an upset stomach.
• Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or do not settle.

Dossinia marmorata: where the name comes from

Dossinia honours the Belgian botanist Pierre Étienne Dossin. The epithet marmorata is Latin for marbled, referring to the patterned leaves.

Charles François Antoine Morren established the genus Dossinia in 1848 in Annales de la Société Royale d’Agriculture et de Botanique de Gand, volume 4, page 171.

Charles François Antoine Morren first described Dossinia marmorata in 1848 in Annales de la Société Royale d’Agriculture et de Botanique de Gand, volume 4, page 171.