epidendrum radicans -- Qs re care

[pdxmaven]

I have three of these. They have grown quite tall and floppy. My reading from other posts suggests I just chop off the long floppy stems, right?

I assume I can I root these stems? How best to do that?

Also, do they like to be crowded in the pot or they don't care?

I have some space in a friend's greenhouse. I keep my cool orchids there, as it gets down to 45 degrees sometimes. Would these be OK there over the winter, or should I keep them in the house?

On of the three (must be a different species) has lots of above ground roots. Just ignore, or replant it deeper?

thanks in advance for your help!

[trdyl]

I'll tell you what I can. These do put out keikis along the stems and can be removed and potted once they have roots. Since these put out a teminal inflorescence you do not want to chop the tops off or else you will never get flowers. As far as minimum temps I am not sure. I don't think 45 degrees would be too cold. I am sure some else will chime in. As far as potting depth, do not bury the stems.

[cb977]

I have mine mounted around a large grapevine wreath...and just moved it to what will be the coolest corner of the orchid room (the winter rest area is the furthest corner from where the heater will sit on nights going below 50 degrees). While it's resting, I'll just give it a light mist every 3 or 4 weeks till around Valentine's Day.

[stefpix]

chopped off a reed stem epi by mistake. grew a lot of keikis and roots from a single stem.
one inch long top made roots/ keiki.

you can try in a vase with water. wonder if you cut a stem amd put it in soil horizontally maybe could grown new shoots/keikis from each node

[Baz in Oz]

Reed stem Epis are hard to insult. Mine grow outdoors in the ground mainly, and we get occasional light frosts.
They don't seem to mind being neglected but will wither a little if they don't get a drink every once and so often. They respond to feeding.
They throw out keikis profusely from along flower spikes and they flower very easily.
They tend to grow out of the ground or pots (or trees) and end up with a tangle of above ground roots.
In short, they are a happy plant and a joy to grow and make colourful mass plantings.

Baz

[stefpix]

I have an epi and cat hybrid that i was given...
need to look up the name.
looks like a jungle of reed stems with the catt layer on the stems.

when do they bloom for you the reed stems?
i grow in a windowsill - southern exp [ probably equiv to northern exp in austarlia]

[Connie Star]

I saw this one in flower in Costa Rica, on the side of Arenal Volcano, at a cool altitude. It was growing almost like a weed in the brush.
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...-img-4214.html
I believe it has been renamed Epidendrum ibaguense, at least the Costa Rican one has.