Reed-stem epidendrums

[khill]

Well, I'll be the first to post a thread in this new forum.

Are any of you growing Reed Stem Epidendrums in your gardens? I'm interested in trying this, but not sure about doing it in a pot or right on the ground? Anyone with any experience with this?

I have one that I am growing on my lanai in a pot, but I have to watch how much sun this particular cultivar gets, as it burns easily. I've read in books that they can take full sun, but I don't think the one I have actually can.

Any advice?

[Lorraine]

Hi khill,

I was given a reed stem. I had no idea what I had, a guy from the HD store was talking with me one day and I traded him some cuttings from my garden about 6 weeks ago. I thought I was getting a Iris of some type. He wasn't there when I showed up but he left this thing for me. I took a chance and plunked it in the garden full sun, good drainage yada yada yada then it started spiking. then flowering turns out its a epi rudicans. It still is blooming. Heres a pic. I thought it was some type of orchid but just took a chance.
Lorraine

[khill]

How about that!!! Beautiful. Well, I guess that answers my question. Mine is a hybrid, Epidendrum Star Valley "Yamada". Maybe a species, like yours, is the answer. I think I'll look for that one and try it.

Karen

[RoyalOrchids]

You Florida people make me jealous!

Way to grow!

[Jo Ann]

Originally Posted by RoyalOrchids

You Florida people make me jealous!

Way to grow!

...you indoor growers make me crazy at times too..all winter long look whats bloomin?..while my poor plants sit outside going through cold, wind and rain waiting for warmer weather...

[epiphyte78]

I've seen a few reed stem epidendrums in the ground here in the Los Angeles area but the majority have been in pots. Medium wise I'd put them in the same category as Cymbidiums or Zygopetalums. I tried mounting a few reed stems but they haven't grow nearly as well as in pots.

To grow them in the ground I'd dig a hole and fill it with bark.

[khill]

To grow them in the ground I'd dig a hole and fill it with bark

I think that is a good way to go.

[isurus79]

There are some reed stem Epi's that grow wild here in Hawaii and oddly enough, they look identical to the picture posted by Lorrain! Anyway, Ive seen them growing right in the ground but always in areas where the soil is thin. They attach to lava rock below. I guess you could dig a hole and fill it with bark, but that would rot one day. If you dig of hole and drop a rock in, it might last longer with fewer problems. I dont know how many boulders you have just lying around though waiting to be used as orchid media though!

[khill]

Actually, most of my orchids are growing in lava rock. I prefer that medium for my catts and dendros. Maybe lava rock would be better, especially with the heavy rains we get in the summer.

My friend actually just gave me a small cutting of Epidendrum radicans (I think, as it is just like Lorraine's picture) yesterday. She is from Jamaica originally and used to grow them there. She has this plant on her lanai and doesn't even really water it much this time of year and it is blooming beautifully! Most of the roots are out of the pot.

Anyway, this will be my experiment now to grow it in the garden. I'll keep you all posted.

[Faerygirl]

I live in Gainesville, barely zone 9a, LOL, and I have had some in a protected location outside for 3 seasons now. They have done fine but I don't think they get enough light to bloom.

I have tons of them in the greenhouse planted directly into just the plain old sand, and they bloom their heads off. I have all colors: yellow, pink, purple, red, orange and white. Many are in bloom now. They will also climb walls, attaching with aeriel roots to brick or wood, so you can plant them next to stuff like mailboxes, fenceposts, etc and they will climb some and do great.

Radicans can easily take full sun, but some of the hybrids will definitely burn if you don't acclimate them slower.