California. Oceanview Avenue, Encinitas, California 92024. For us, this rewarding orchid flowers most heavily from spring through summer. Got some Epidendrum radicans today and they were potted in this regular potting soil, which was growing some sort of moss. 2 canes have already bloomed and more should be coming soon. Because Epidendrum Orchids easily form baby clones of the main plant, this means propagation is simple. Originally from Central America and Mexico, the reed orchid grows about two and one-half to three-feet tall with multiple green stems and many white roots that prop and support each other as the plant colony grows. They are part of a small group of reed-stemmed, soil-based orchids. Obviously, growing outdoors all year round is easy for those living in Southern Florida or Southern California, but not feasible for those in New York. Spathoglottis plicata is a shade loving plant sometimes known as "Philippine Ground Orchid." These keikis, as they're called, can be cut from the orchid and replanted. Propagating Epidendrum Orchids . Us|, Reprinted from the September The leathery leaves are oval or elliptical and have two lobes at their tips. For Epidendrum secundum, Epidendrum radicans and Epidendrum ibaguense, almost any planting mix will do, because these are extremely tolerant of soil conditions. Got some Epidendrum radicans today and they were potted in this regular potting soil, which was growing some sort of moss. Personally, I am sure everyone will boo me for saying this, but I grow my huge 3Gal pot of epidendrum radicans in mushroom compost and they are over 18" tall. 1x/week in winter. Epidendrum comes from the Greek word meaning “growing on trees”, referring to its epiphytic growth habit, whereas radicans means having rooting stems. This locally popular (Santa Barbara) but unnamed variety is very floriferous with abundant flower spikes throughout the year. If it is planted in a clay pot, the orchid needs to be watered more often. |Newsletter| Radicans tolerates a wide variety of temperature conditions as well. Species like Epidendrum Radicans (the reed-stem Epidendrum) are very tolerant of soil conditions, and they can be used to create beautiful raised flowerbeds. Epidendrum 'Purple' (Purple Reed Stem Orchid) - This evergreen orchid holds leafy stems growing up to 30 inches tall, producing balls of 30 or more brilliantly-colored 1-inch purple flowers on 18 inch terminal spikes. 54 sold. Fertilizer. The Reed-Stem Epidendrum is truly one of the easiest to grow and flower orchids that can be grown as an informal groundcover under tropical conditions like zone 10. Epidendrum radicans are terrestrial orchids desirable for their ease of growth and attractive clusters of small, delicate flowers. It has an upright, clumping growth habit with roots emerging from the base of the stems, at or below soil level. Epidendrum radicans. Moist sphagnum moss is … 734 Type: warm to cool-growing crucifix orchid, terrestrial or lithophyte, large-sized, tall reedstem up to 60 cm long with ovate to elliptic leaves and develops roots all along the stem (a distinct feature), non-caespitose with a creeping habit. Epidendrum radicans is a species of orchid. E. radicans has been reported to grow near a saltwater bay with western sun where it survived a winter low of 26 degrees Fahrenheit. |Vendors| They are relatively free of insects and flowers reliably throughout the year. This locally popular (Santa Barbara) but unnamed variety is very floriferous with abundant flower spikes throughout the year. Type. The end of the inflorescence spreads upward in an umbrel—a term botanists use to describe growth similar to the curving ribs of an umbrella. Epidendrum is a large neotropical genus of the orchid family, which contains approximately 1336 to 1491 species. The pot should have a drainage hole, and the potting mix should drain well. Mature Height: 36” tall, spreading, becomes very full Salt Tolerant: No Light: Needs full sun to flower Bloom: Many reddish/orange blooms on long stems in summer, last for months Water Requirements: Water 2x/week in full sun in summer, but allow to dry out between waterings. E. radicans is tolerant of many types of soils. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Be careful, however, not to combine different species in a flowerbed as these will start to complete with … In winter, fertilizer is not necessary. Epidendrum Orchids When European explorers were first learning about orchids, they created a genus of "Epidendrum orchids" that included all epiphytic orchids — those that grow on trees.The Epidendrum genus still contains over 1000 species, but now has a much clearer taxonomic definition, with its species now sharing a common ancestry sometime in the distant past. In winter, fertilizer is not necessary. 1x/week in winter. Epidendrum orchids vary widely in flora and vegetation. Flower Stalk Cuttings for the Development of Keiki's. Short bulbs are common in many species, while other species can produce bulbs of up to five feet long. That’s because the plant is in its resting period. The small and pretty blossoms appear during warm months of the year. see all. The reed orchid highlighted today is botanically known as Epidendrum radicans. As a rule of thumb, you will want to water more frequently (approximately every 4-5 days) during the warmer months and less frequently (once a week) in the cooler months. The ideal light is partial sun to produce plenty of flowers. Some sources say it takes full sun, but in South Florida part shade to full shade (with bright indirect light) is best. Provide a well-drained soil, amend with peat moss in dry, very sandy soils. In winter, Epidendrum need water every 14 days. Orchid lovers will appreciate the easy-to-grow Epidendrum radicans, also known as reed-stem epidendrum or fire-star orchid. |Articles|  In summer, you can use fertilizer 1 to 3 times a month. The majority of these plants are epiphytic and live suspended from a tree or cliff with minimal soil. Mature Height: 36” tall, spreading, becomes very full Salt Tolerant: No Light: Needs full sun to flower Bloom: Many reddish/orange blooms on long stems in summer, last for months Water Requirements: Water 2x/week in full sun in summer, but allow to dry out between waterings. 4-5 plants per pot. Epidendrum radicans (Ground-rooting Epidendrum) Native: Mexico and southwards to Columbia and Venezuala. This plant grows about a foot tall and spreads slowly. It is a common roadside weed at middle elevations in Central America. Cynthia Hill grows Epidendrum comes from the Greek word meaning “growing on trees”, referring to its epiphytic growth habit, whereas radicans means having rooting stems. Reed-stemmed Orchid Epidendrum radicans. The orchid should be watered freely but not allowed to sit in water. The Atlas of Florida Plants provides a source of information for the distribution of plants within the state and taxonomic information. You can either leave the bare stems attached to the mother plant, or remove 20cm intervals that have at least two nodes. orchids for sheer pleasure in Solana Beach, This post contains affiliate shopping links that help support this site. Epidendrum hardiness is zone-dependent -- many varieties are suited to Sunset Climate Zones H1 and H2, while others work well in the milder areas of zones 7, 17 and 21 through 24. A common characteristic, however, is the basic form of the flower, which consists of three petals surrounded by three sepals -- often in dramatic and contrasting colors and in a variety of shapes and sizes. Genus. It is native to cooler climates from 2,700 to 7,500 feet high in Central American oak and pine forests and between rocks and grass alongside roads. Orchids Filter Applied. Loam. Most Epidendrum orchids grow well in any type of well-draining soil or soilless medium. E. radicans blooms most frequently between fall and spring on a 10- to 38-inch-long inflorescence or stalk. E. radicans is a creeping plant, but the orchid can be trained to grow upright. |Home| Clay. It does best in daytime temperatures of 60 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and from 30 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Reed-stemmed Orchid Epidendrum radicans. Red Epidendrum Crucifix Orchids - extended offer 3 for $15 Plants. These three species make a spectacular display in raised planter beds or in tubs or pots. Moisture is important for an E. radicans plant. You can help encourage bud growth by withholding water for about a month, ho… Provide a well-drained soil, amend with peat moss in dry, very sandy soils. Epidendrum 'Purple' (Purple Reed Stem Orchid) - This evergreen orchid holds leafy stems growing up to 30 inches tall, producing balls of 30 or more brilliantly-colored 1-inch purple flowers on 18 inch terminal spikes. It generally does not have to be repotted, although new topsoil needs to be added as the potting mix decomposes or is washed away during watering. Epidendrum orchids could be found in diverse biomes, in diverse climates, and differences in morphology of Epidendrum species reflect evolutionary adaptation to such diverse habitats. The flowers are native to tropical America and will grow outdoors in similar environments, or indoors in containers. Fertilizer. Considered a common weed in its natural range, E. radicans can be grown successfully indoors and in pots outdoors in some seasons in Sunset's Climate Zones 7, 8 and 17. In winter, Epidendrum need water every 14 days. A few are terrestrial but they also thrive on low nutrient media. This is EPIDENDRUM RADICANS, commonly known as the Ground-rooting Epidendrum, Fire-star Orchid, Rainbow Orchid, Reed-stem Epidendrum, and other names. Type: warm to cool-growing crucifix orchid, terrestrial or lithophyte, large-sized, tall reedstem up to 60 cm long with ovate to elliptic leaves and develops roots all along the stem (a distinct feature), non-caespitose with a creeping habit. Epidendrum radicans 'Keiki' Cuttings (Very Easy) - Small offsets, or 'Keiki's', will develop along the mother plant's flower stalks on various non-flowering nodes. Features. The flowers range from a quarter of an inch to six inches in diameter. Epidendrum radicans - sometimes called "Reed-stem Orchid" - is probably the easiest orchid to grow. E. radicans is tolerant of many types of soils. It's a common roadside weed at middle elevations in Mexico and Central America. (They're also available in reddish-purple.) Five-Star Orchid (Epidendrum radicans 'Orange'): The orchid family consists of a large number of genera, each with its own unique characteristics. EPIDENDRUM RADICANS/REED STEM/ FIRE STAR/CRUCIFIX ORCHID 2 ROOTED 4 CUTTINGS . Long-lasting clusters of … Can be used to form a low hedge. This is EPIDENDRUM RADICANS, commonly known as the Ground-rooting Epidendrum, Fire-star Orchid, Rainbow Orchid, Reed-stem Epidendrum, and other names. I am new to epidendrums but I’m gunna go ahead and say that especially given their name, they prefer the typical airy orchid bark mix so I went ahead and repotted them. Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature Top of page. Cuttings are from Mother plants that already have roots, which you will have a very high chance of success. Silt. That’s because the plant is in its resting period. The orchid Epidendrum radicans sprouts roots the length of its stem and grows on the ground. If it is grown indoors, too much nitrogen turns it leggy and straggly. Plant database entry for Crucifix Orchid (Epidendrum radicans) with 33 images and 23 data details. Radicans tolerates a wide variety of temperature conditions as well. It flowers on and off all year with bright orange blossoms. If set outdoors, the orchid is moved inside when there is a danger of frost. For us, this rewarding orchid flowers most heavily from spring through summer. It has the look of a wildflower with blooms in purple, peach, yellow or multi-colored. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Because Epidendrum Orchids easily form baby clones of the main plant, this means propagation is simple. It can be grown in plastic or clay pots in a mix of moss, perlite, sand or gravel. |Shows| The website also provides access to a database and images of herbarium specimens found at the University of South Florida and other herbaria. I saw one at a botanical garden that is growing about 50 feet from a salt water bay, facing west. 1998 issue of Orchids -- The magazine of the You’ll be more successful growing Epidendrum orchid plants outside in your … About Epidendrum Orchid Most orchid care is the same, but just in case you don’t have a clue which variety of orchid you have, here are some details on the Epidendrums. Soil Type. Epidendrum radicans, also known as reed-stem epidendrum or fire star orchid, is a beautiful, easy care orchid suitable for the ground or in a pot. These keikis, as they're called, can be cut from the orchid and replanted. Common names include ground-rooting epidendrum, fire-star orchid, rainbow orchid, and reed-stem epidendrum. Peat. I am new to epidendrums but I’m gunna go ahead and say that especially given their name, they prefer the typical airy orchid bark mix so I went ahead and repotted them. Epidendrum Radicans: The Easiest Orchid You’ve Never Heard Of Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature Top of page. List of Characteristics and Traits of a Phalaenopsis Orchid, Orchid Species: Epidendrum radicans Pavon ex Lindley. Can be used to form a low hedge. Moist sphagnum moss is a popular bedding for … The very first hybrid, Epi. Epidendrum orchids should be watered regularly and abundantly. |Contact 4-5 plants per pot. It produces denser spikes of flowers and greener leaves if it is fertilized regularly with a balanced fertilizer, meaning a fertilizer that has equal amounts by weight of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. see all. Epidendrum Filter Applied. |Links| see all. Reedstem epidendrums can be grown successfully by following a few guidelines and adapting them to your particular conditions. They can tolerate fine-grade fir bark, tree fern, or a mixture of charcoal, peat, perlite, and coconut fiber. 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