Epidendrum - Orchid Board

mattryan · #1 07-14-2011, 12:10 PM

I am hoping someone can help me with this question. I purchased my first epi some time ago Epi Fantasy Valley 'Wakausa' the blooms have since finished and it has started to grow 2 new spikes (if thats what you call them), now was I supposed to have cut the old ones off or have left them? Here are some pics of it in bloom and now with the new spikes. It is also growing new roots as well. The plant is in a smaller pot inside the big 1. And will it grow flowers from these new growths or am I supposed to do something (sorry if that's a dumb question) to encourage it?

WhiteRabbit · #2 07-14-2011, 09:10 PM

You can cut the spent inflorescences (spikes), but don't cut the canes! The new growth coming from the base of the older canes, are new canes. Like with other sympodial orchids (Oncidiums, Cattleyas, Dendrobiums - as opposed to monopodial, like Phals and Vandas), those older growths help support the plant, and the new growth - even after they may have shed their foliage. Epis also can produce keikis on those older canes.

mattryan · #3 07-14-2011, 09:15 PM

Thankyou whiterabbit I posted my question again thinking nobody looked here lol. So what I did was right then. I just left the old canes was thinking maybe they needed to photosynthesize* with them. Many thanks..I'm just so happy first one and it's doing really good. Will the flowers just develope or does it need a temp drop or something?

WhiteRabbit · #4 07-14-2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattryan

Thankyou whiterabbit I posted my question again thinking nobody looked here lol. So what I did was right then. I just left the old canes was thinking maybe they needed to photosynthesize* with them. Many thanks..I'm just so happy first one and it's doing really good. Will the flowers just develope or does it need a temp drop or something?

I actually always look at 'todays posts' - but hadn't gotten thru many today - and I saw your newer post, came to this older one to see your pix

I have limited experience with epis - I have two, but been working out the culture - my bigger reed stem one, I haven't yet rebloomed, maybe due to insufficient light in winter where I grow it. My little one has finally spiked tho! woot! I don't think they need any temp drop, but as much light as possible year round - lots of water in summer, less in winter, tho I don't think they want to be really dry ever, but slightly to the drier side in winter. Spikes will hopefully come when the new canes are mature - I don't think (but could be mistaken) that epis DO NOT rebloom on older canes.
I'm sure others can advise more definitively on blooming, and culture.

btw - love those yellow blooms!

mattryan · #5 07-14-2011, 09:51 PM

Oh ok now I get it canes are where the leaves are and spikes are the flower part...sheesh so used to phals..you had me fused..now I got it lol. My epi gets full am sun and I have to water it everyday. Hopefully I will get some flowers again this year..they lasted quite awhile last bunch. Thanks again whiterabbit. Goodluck with yours too!

I quite like the yellow too maybe I go back for the red I saw last time lol.

WhiteRabbit · #6 07-14-2011, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattryan

Oh ok now I get it canes are where the leaves are and spikes are the flower part...sheesh so used to phals..you had me fused..now I got it lol. My epi gets full am sun and I have to water it everyday. Hopefully I will get some flowers again this year..they lasted quite awhile last bunch. Thanks again whiterabbit. Goodluck with yours too!

I quite like the yellow too maybe I go back for the red I saw last time lol.

glad you understood what I meant - I wasn't sure how clear I was being - but yes, that sounds right!

seems I will have to wait at least a bit longer for blooms on the big epi (which should be red!) - but at least the little one has spikes - got that one years ago when I was very new to orchid growing - I think it's a species, but have long forgotten what the name may have been *sigh* - so I am excited to finally (hopefully) see blooms - I have no idea what they will look like!
I was waaaaaaaaay underwatering it the first few years - would start to look like it was going to do well over winter, then completely fizzle out in summer *DOH!* Finally realized it needed (a lot!) more water in summer, it's been growing like a weed!

I think you should definitely go back for the red!

johnsaquatics · #7 07-14-2011, 11:37 PM

These things are hogs. Give them as much light, water and fertilizer as you can. Pot them into whatever media you like as long as you water and fertilize heavily during growth. I always like to cut off keiki growth before it gets too big to encourage growth from the base. This also keep the plant shorter and more attractive.