Bamboo Orchid

Botanical name: Dendrobium cunninghamii
Synonyms: Winika cunninghamii
Common name(s): Winika, Pekapeka, Christmas Orchid, Bamboo Orchid, Ladies Slipper Orchid

About:
Winika is New Zealand’s largest native orchid and one of its most spectacular flowering epiphytes. It forms large pendulous clumps of bright yellow-green cane-like stems that produce masses of beautiful white flowers with striking pink, purple and green markings. Naturally growing high on native trees, fallen logs, rocks and cliff faces, this distinctive orchid is found throughout much of New Zealand and is highly prized by native orchid enthusiasts.

Natural habitat:
Coastal to montane forest. Usually grows as an epiphyte on the trunks and branches of native trees, especially older forest specimens, but is also found on fallen logs, rocky outcrops, cliff faces, banks and occasionally on brick or concrete walls.

Growing environment:
Prefers semi-shaded, humid environments with excellent air movement and free drainage. Performs best in warm, sheltered positions where roots remain moist but never waterlogged.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Found throughout the North Island, South Island, Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands.

Height:
Canes to 1 m long, forming clumps up to 1.5–2 m across.

Width:
Up to 2 m

Flowering:
December–June, with peak flowering generally during summer.

Fruiting:
January–August

Uses:
• Native orchid collections
• Epiphytic displays
• Hanging baskets
• Mounted orchid displays
• Native forest gardens
• Conservation plantings
• Botanical collections

Appearance:
Growth habit:
An evergreen epiphytic or lithophytic orchid forming dense pendulous clumps. Numerous cane-like stems arise from creeping rhizomes, producing an attractive cascading habit.

Rhizomes and roots:
Rhizomes are stout, ascending and similar in appearance to the stems, producing abundant branching roots that firmly anchor the plant to bark, rock or other surfaces.

Stems:
The stems are slender, glossy and cane-like, yellow-green through to bright yellow or orange, becoming thicker near the base. Distinctive swollen nodes and obvious internodes give the stems a bamboo-like appearance.

Leaves:
Leaves are narrow, linear and leathery, 30–50 mm long, dark green to yellow-green, arising along the upper branches of the canes.

Flowers:
The large flowers, measuring up to 30 mm across, are among New Zealand’s showiest native orchids. Sepals and petals are pure white, while the broad three-lobed labellum is white with a yellow-green base, rose-pink or purple side lobes and four to five raised yellow-green ridges. The colourful column often displays pink or purple wings.

Fruit:
Following flowering, elongated seed capsules develop, initially green before maturing grey-white with purple or maroon striping.

Ecology:
Winika provides nectar for native insects and contributes to the rich biodiversity of mature native forests. It naturally colonises rough-barked trees, fallen logs and rocky cliffs, often forming impressive colonies that persist for many years.

Associated habitats:
Podocarp forest, mixed broadleaf forest, kānuka forest, coastal forest, montane forest, rocky bluffs, cliff faces and mature native trees.

How to grow:
Grow in semi-shade with high humidity and excellent air circulation. Mount onto tree fern slabs, cork bark or rough-barked trees, or grow in hanging baskets filled with coarse orchid bark. Keep evenly moist during active growth while ensuring rapid drainage. Avoid direct hot afternoon sun and protect from prolonged frost.

Propagation:
Readily propagated by division of established clumps or by separating rooted sections of the canes. It can also be grown from seed under specialised sterile orchid propagation techniques. Wild plants should never be collected.

Cultural use:
Winika holds special significance in Māori culture. The traditional Māori name “Winika” was given to the sacred Tainui waka because this orchid naturally grew upon the tōtara tree from which the canoe was carved. It remains an important taonga species and is recognised as one of New Zealand’s most culturally significant native orchids.

Garden value:
An outstanding ornamental orchid that rewards growers with spectacular displays of elegant white flowers against golden cane-like stems. It is ideal for hanging baskets, mounted displays, sheltered courtyards and native orchid collections, bringing a distinctive New Zealand character to shaded gardens and conservatories.