Epidendrum parkinsonianum

[Maryanne]

Hi Roberta:
I'm in Massachusetts - so a cold winter, and hot in summer.
The E. parkinsonianum is in a basket, and hung on the warmer end of the tiny g'house. So, warm in winter is more like 45 or 50 F at night. It's hanging outside now is semi-shade.
Wondering if I need to fertilize more, or what? it looks perfectly healthy and had never been frosted.
Thanks for any advice - Love to look at your webpages with your extensive collection. : -)Cheers,
Maryanne

[Roberta]

Jeff214, what are your conditions? I know that you live not far from me, but grow quite a few plants in greenhouse that I grow outside. So likely more helpful to Maryanne than what I do.

Maryanne, glad you enjoyed my website! I grow Epi. parkinsonianum outside, mounted. Night temperature into the low 40's F is standard for winter (with occasional dip into the mid-to-high 30's). So I don't see anything in your conditions that would inhibit blooming. Jeff, ideas?

[estación seca]

Winter day length in Massachussetts? It does get dappled sun in habitat, so maybe more light in summer?

[Roberta]

Maybe... I grow it on the "bright shade" side but southern California winter days are longer than in Massachusetts so it's getting more light duration. Since winter/early spring is when it is "thinking" of blooming, that might be a factor. The long summer days would facilitate growth but likely not help blooming so much,

[Keysguy]

Seca- Massachusetts gets 2 hours of day length per day (on average, but there may be 3 week stretches with "0") from late October until mid April. Whoops, sorry. Did I say that out loud?

And that's WAY better than New Hampshire.

Nocturnam is a very cool plant and if it bloomed anytime of the year but summer, it would be on my short list.

Maryanne, do you have an Epi. ciliare? If not get one.
I have around 250 orchids and honestly, it's one of my top 5 favs that I have. The fragrance to me is just like nighttime jasmine. It's fabulous. I have mine growing on a great big piece of cork.

[Jeff214]

Thanks Maryanne,

I grow mine indoors since I can't keep it wet enough outdoors during the heat of summer here in the desert that is San Diego. I have it growing under grow lights at an intensity fine for cattleyas to bloom. I have my grow light on for 15 hours a day, no change throughout the year.

My home is between 55-65 in the winter... and 65-75 oF in the summer. Not much change in temperatures here.

[Roberta]

The light duration is probably the key. I grow it outdoors, so it's getting fewer hours than yours in winter, but still a lot more hours of light than Massachusetts.

[Maryanne]

Thanks to Jeff, Roberta and Chuck(?) for the advice and notes on temperature and light conditions. I'll try hanging my plant in more light.
Happy growing to All,
Maryanne

[Roberta]

Also consider adding some supplemental light. Daylight is great, but in winter, there just isn't much (either in intensity or duration) where you live. Doesn't have to be fancy grow lights... a full-spectrum LED light, 12 hours a day, may be all the boost you need.

[Keysguy]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Also consider adding some supplemental light. Daylight is great, but in winter, there just isn't much (either in intensity or duration) where you live. Doesn't have to be fancy grow lights... a full-spectrum LED light, 12 hours a day, may be all the boost you need.

You nailed it Roberta.
When I had my GH in NH that was my biggest mistake. I had some supplemental lighting for winter but it wasn't nearly enough.