Epidendrum Orchid - Orchid Board

Shiffdaddy · #1 02-22-2011, 02:34 PM

I recently went over to someones house who had about 5 different types of Epidendrum Orchids growing. I asked her how i would go about propagating some and she said. Oh Let me show you. So she went to her plants and started breaking off stalks with roots coming out named "Keikis" (from my research) Now i took all of these home and replanted them in an orchid potting mix. I buried the roots, cut the flower stalk off them all (to hope for an increase in root production) and ive let them sit watering them with a 16-8-19 water soluable fertizlizer once a week. My question is. Did i do this right? Will they start rooting soon and how will i know? How will i know if they did not root and are dying? Thanks for any info.

Sorry for double post, I just thought it fit in both areas.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 02-22-2011, 03:03 PM

Pic of living orchid roots:

http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/wp-...ts_1_640px.jpg

If you're using sterilized cutters to make your cuts, that's good. If not, I suggest practicing this technique from now on.

I don't know how large of a pot you've used in relation to the root mass, but if it's too big, that's bad.

Using a pot size that is about the size of the root mass is good.

They like moderate to bright indirect light.

Moderate humidity is fine (50% - 70%).

You said you replanted in orchid mix...

If it is an epiphytical Epidendrum, then:

If it is wood chips, or wood chips with perlite, or wood chips with pumice, or wood chips with perlite and charcoal, or wood chips with pumice and charcoal - you're golden.

If you've got peat in the mix, that's no good.

Unless...

It is a terrestrial Epidendrum...

Then I can't say, because I don't have much experience growing terrestrial Epidendrums. I'm currently aware of the fact that I only own 1 species of Epidendrum that can be considered an epiphyte, lithophyte, and a terrestrial Epidendrum. And I don't grow it as a true terrestrial.

I don't know how soon the roots will grow, but they'll grow under correct environmental and cultural conditions.

If the roots died, you'll know. Epidendrums will not last very long without their roots (no large storage systems for reserve energy).

Shiffdaddy · #3 02-22-2011, 03:23 PM

Thank you king of Orchid growing. That is good information! I have had them in a small container for about 2 weeks now and they haven't died so I guess that is a good sign! The soil I used mostly consists of wood chips and very little peat if any. I'll try to explain the orchids and maybe you can tell me what type. They have about 6-7 leaves on the bottom that grow in parallel rows of 2-3-4 on each side with a 1-2 foot stalk coming out with a bundle of small flowers on the end. I ended up getting purple, red, yellow, and a bright orange colored flower. The root bundle wasn't really a bundle it was likeone or two long white roots so I had to carefully set them into the pot a's not to break any roots. Any other personal tips would be fantastic. Thanks all

RobS · #4 02-22-2011, 03:27 PM

Sounds like something from the group of Epi. radicans / ibaguense. With these you can't do to much wrong. But in general King gave good advise. These Epidendrums are fairly easy in culture and they will adapt to many different requirements.

Shiffdaddy · #5 02-22-2011, 03:30 PM

Perfect! Yes those are what I thought they were too. So I just can't overwater or the roots will rot correct!? I live in orange county in southern California so I think that the weather is ok for them. Is there any time frame which they should be showing some kind of progress in rooting or growing? Thanks

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #6 02-22-2011, 03:31 PM

Forgot...

Grow in intermediate to warm temperatures (55 F - 90 F).

The temperature range I mentioned is hybrid or species specific. When asking always let us know what it is.

There are most certainly cold or cool growing Epidendrums. They're just very rare in cultivation (not everyone can grow the cooler growers).