Here is the section re cultivation from Native Orchids of Australia by David L Jones.

"Cultivation: D. smilliae is easy to grow only in tropical regions. Plants demand hot, humid conditions and bright light. In cooler regions they require a heated glasshouse with a minimum temperature of 15C. Plants should be kept completely dry over winter and watered heavily during the summer."

In 37 years of orchid growing i have never seen a plant on a bench at a monthly orchid meeting or at an orchid show in Sydney, Australia.

You might be able to find some American culture notes for Dendrobium bigibbum and Dendrobium canaliculatum which have a similar requirement for a warm dry winter rest.

Luckily, this plant seems to appreciate our Gulf Coast's buoyant heat and humidity; I have seen a number of these in bloom. My plant has grown (like a weed), but I've been told they need to be quite statuesque to flower - nurseries seem to have skills at getting smaller plants to bloom.
There are several color forms, and this is a real beauty in any coloration. Very arresting.
Local recommendations are to grow it warm/hot all year; dappled light in summer, brighter in winter. This plant does not like a hard dry rest, but water should be decreased in mid-late winter, which is when the blooming season starts; however, it should never be completely dry - only enough to drop a few leaves; it is not deciduous.
I grow mine on a mount, so can't comment on any potting issues.
The flowers are long-lasting, and blooming can last 6 months in a larger plant.
This is not its normal blooming season (nursery-growing!), which is early winter through early summer.
Regards - Nancy

I saw this species in bloom at two different shows, Md & Pa, about 4 weeks apart in March. It's stunning when grown well!

--Stitz--

Here is a pic. taken in the tropical house at the Botanical Gardens Sydney. They cheat by having multiple glasshouses and moving in-bloom plants into their display houses.

An orchid that i suspect is hard to grow away from "hot and steamy". Some orchids are like that. Picky. Just as well i've never seen one in a catalogue, cause i would have been sorely tempted.

{{gwi:187935}}

I've had one of these orchids I got through the mail this spring. It's in a sunny south-facing room in my house which is air conditioned. I keep the humidity at a comfortable level for me. It just went into bud. I've been neglecting all of my orchids lately and only watering every two weeks. Then this happened! I feel fortunate because I heard that they're hard to grow.