Abstract: Dendrobium is one of the most important new floral resources with highly economic value. The advances in Dendrobium molecular biology were reviewed, including the development and application of modern molecular tools in the taxonomy; the cloning and characterization of key genes involved in the critical biological processes of Dendrobium, such as floral color, floral development and stress-tolerance; the establishment of genetic transformation systems and the research of transgenic technology. The main research directions of Dendrobium plants in China were analyzed, to offer the reference for further research.