Brassavola? NoID

[estación seca]

I think a fair number of reed-stems Epidendrums are epiphytes.

[epiphyte78]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I think a fair number of reed-stems Epidendrums are epiphytes.

Well... maybe that's technically true. But, unfortunately, none of the commonly grown reed-stem Epidendrums in my neck of the woods are epiphytes! In fact, it's probably because they aren't epiphytes that they are so commonly grown. True epiphytes wouldn't tolerate most of the mediums that I've seen people growing common reed-stems in. It's the same thing with Cymbidiums. They are remarkably tolerant of poor drainage. "Real" epiphytes need excellent drainage.

The common reed-stems can be grown epiphytically... but... to quote a friend... anything can be grown epiphytically if you try hard enough.

[estación seca]

Have you tried growing them as epiphytes?

[epiphyte78]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Have you tried growing them as epiphytes?

Sure... I had around a dozen keikis of the common reed-stems growing epiphytically on trellis covered with moss. They were dwarfed/stunted... pretty much bonsais. I didn't care though because they were a really low priority.

Then, when I learned how easy they grow from seed... I quickly started caring about them. I stuck them in pots with medium bark and perlite... gave them some slow release fertilizer... and they instantly unbonsaid.

I'd be scared to grow Barkerias in pots with the same medium. Barkerias are great epiphytes. They love and need really good drainage.

Barkeria scandens San Diego Zoo by Epiphyte, on Flickr


As far as I know... Barkerias can't grow as easy from seed as the common reed-stem Epis. So my mission, which I've chosen to accept, is to try and create an orchid that has the best of both worlds. Is it a mission impossible? There's only one way to find out!

Well... I suppose I could ask people who grow Bardendrums whether they've ever had any success growing the seeds without flasks. Except... if they have had success... then wouldn't they already have spread the word?