Epi. Fantasy Valley culture info required

[Paul Mc]

Hey everyone,

I'm not sure what the Epi. stands for, but I'm assuming it's for Epidendrum. Does anyone have any culture information on this particular one, or in general as this is my first Epi.!

I'd like to know what to pot it in, watering requirements, temperature, etc... Anything you can provide would be extremely helpful!

Thank you in advance!

[Bud]

Epi. Fantasy Valley (Joseph Glow x Crystal Valley)

Reed stem epidendrum mericlones are often called the ’Patio Orchids'. Flowers are long-lasting and the plants are easy to grow. They grow well outdoors and are used for landscaping in Southern California and Florida as well as indoor potted orchids anywhere.

I have the same plant as yours currently in bloom=will post pictures soon) they are the new Japanese bred (Short growing/Compact) epidendrums. I water it every 3 days and weekly weakly fertilizer. This Epidendrums flowers are about 1" in diameter and will bloom in large clusters. If you want to grow this potted: I potted mine in a medium coarse firbark, small lava rock, charcoal and a handful of ordinary potting mix. It is staked at 8-12 inches tall and will shortly produce more canes and more bloom again, that is why I am to trim the keikis and clean up the plant or else it will be a weird jungle and hard to maintain it...

[Paul Mc]

What kind of temperatures do they need? What's the lowest and highest temp I should expose it to?

[Paul Mc]

Also, what kind of pitting medium do you use?

[Eahonn]

I have a No:id epidendrum hybrid that looks similar and it has been flowering since October. Doesn't seem picky. I has been indoors near a west diffused window and I water it every once and a while and mist the roots almost daily, it has many aerial roots. It came in something like standard potting mix which holds moisture. I even repotted it in to a larger pot. It has a keiki too now. This is by far my easiest and most rewarding because it just keeps flowering!

[Eahonn]

Pot with bark and corse mix plus regular potting soil half and half or so.

[Paul Mc]

I've got it in an oncidium mix currently. It came in a medium that didn't hold much water and I noticed it withering quickly. Your potting explanation explains a lot! Also explains why so many roots were hollow and dead, sadly.

So what is the lowest temp you'd give it?

[Eahonn]

Whatever the coldest in your house gets 60F night time it could maybe go a little colder occasionally.

[mattryan]

Paul I have 2 reed stem epi's I put them outside for all of the summer and I give them lots of sun. Mine are in a perlite/bark mix. Don't cut them stem down after they are finished blooming, just the top part as the canes provide for the plant. Mine produced 2 canes last summer 1 I think is putting up a spike right now. If they don't get enough sun they will not bloom when and if the canes become ripe. Any other questions just ask. I've only had mine since last year, but they seem happy. They are really easy and forgiving. Goodluck!

Cheryl