Epi Mabel Kanda
 

New to posting here, hello everyone!

I have most of my phals and cats in a sort of SH culture. I have been using net pots and soda bottles with outside reservoirs. Things are growing crazy!!

I originally switched to SH because any potting medium that doesn't mold in Oregon is a god-send. Now it almost seems cruel to stuff epiphetic roots into a bark medium, and I am enjoying all the frogs that have made the reservoirs home.

I received an Epi Mabel Kanda in an auction a few months ago. :bananaslide: It is in serious need of repotting as it is busting out of the 4" pot. I have never grown these before and was wondering how it would do in SH? It is a mess of aerial roots hanging down about 9 inches. Any tricks to this orchid?

Thanks!

Courtesy of the taxonomists, that thing is now an epicyclia (Epidendrum densiflorum x Encyclia cordigera).

If you pot it up with the correct timing, it should not be an issue.

Thank you for responding Ray! Part of my problem was trying to locate info on a plant that people call two different things.
So the correct timing meaning when I see new growth? It does have two new pseudobulbs on it, they are about 5 inches long each. Is it too late now?
Thanks again for taking your time to help.

Hi pinkcat :)

I'm not sure about the rules of true S/H so I don't want to steer you wrong but I repot everything I get into aliflor...as soon as I get it :) If yours is in serious need of repotting, I would do it.

It's always best to repot when there are new roots emerging. That way they can tailor themselves to the new environment and carry on.

By the way...that pertains to ALL repotting, not just into semi-hydroponics.

I have an Epi Mabel Kanda and it was labeled as (Epi. Floribundum x Epi. Cordigirum 'Paradise').
I am wondering if there is a different naming in the taxonomy as many changes occur within the orchid family.
Since there has been great growth with my plant, I have kept it in it's original bark mix I bought it in. Mine is thriving well in direct afternoon sun along with my catts and schombos. I also let it dry a good amount before I water it. I am still awaiting a spike but I may have to wait for next year to see any such an event. Patience, I keep telling myself .. have patience .. :)

finally found the camera
 

Here is a picture of the plant itself, and the roots.
I am having a real hard time seeing any new root growth in that mass of roots. It just stopped blooming.

All of those exposed roots grew in a dry environment (air). If you submerge those in a moist environment, in any medium, they will likely not do well.

Personally, I'd pot that into either straight coarse CHC or LECA in a non-s/h pot.

I also bought a plant showing Epidendrum Mabel Kanda on the label outside the package, but the label in the pot reads Epi. Floribundum x Epi. Cordigirum 'Paradise'. Can anyone help on this?

I found this in Orchidwiz, so it seems one of those labels are incorrect:

Epicyclia Mabel Kanda (Encyclia cordigera x Epidendrum densiflorum)

I doubt if you'll be able to get the correct info from the company :( You may have to wait for a bloom to see if it's actually Epi Mabel Kanda or a cross of those two parents listed on the inside tag, which should not be capitalized...they're both species :)