Epidendrum hybrid (Sister My Love?)

[NatalieS]

Nabbed this cute little guy from a plant shop I walked past yesterday. You would never see these in grocery stores or garden centres in Ireland, so was a new find for me at least.

I'm not usually into 'candy' pinks, but I couldn't resist.

[Waterdog111]

I sure couldnt fault that choise!

[NatalieS]

I've only attempted an epi once before - Epidendrum capricornu. It hated the Irish climate (or at least, the conditions I could provide for it), and died a death. It's a lot brighter and warmer where I am now.

Do any of you grow these in full sun? I'm thinking of putting it in a bright, warm west-facing window for the rest of the summer/autumn. And is it best to use a media mix with some soil in it, or is it fine in bark/inorganic?

[Waterdog111]

Sorry,no experence with epi’s. Maybe someone else.

[Roberta]

The hybrid reed-stem Epidendrums need more warmth than the various species behind them. (And reed-stem Epis tend to be REALLY forgiving plants). It does want bright light. So it should be quite happy in that window. They're also not particular about medium... a mix with fine bark would be excellent. They likt to stay a little bit moist. (Some of the species and early hybrids will grow in the ground in temperate climates, but the hybrids do want to be treated more like orchids...

Epi capricornu (and relrated Epi species) aren't that easy to grow...I killed some in that group too. Hybrid reed-stem Epis are just the opposite, rather easy. I have found that they don't like my cold winter nights, unlike their species cousins, but growing yours in the house in a bright window sounds perfect. And they tend to be almost non-stop bloomers, continuing to put out new flowers for months.

[NatalieS]

Perfect! Thanks Roberta. I was concerned it might prefer the cooler night temps. I'll go ahead and gradually move it into that windowsill then as the window does get very warm and bright - it gets all the reflected light from the buildings across from us as well as full sun in the afternoon.