Epidendrum parkinsonianum Hook.

[Rosim_in_BR]

Growing orchids can be something! You never stop finding new colors, new shapes, new perfumes... This pendent Epidendrum is native to Central America up to Mexico. It is not easily found here in Brazil and years ago I got two plants from a nursery that had imported some. They were very small seedlings (I remember that they asked US$ 30.00 each plant!). Expensive for a tiny seedling, but I had to have it, so I bought two. The plants grew well and became adult. I always wait for these intriguing flowers, but sometimes the cold waves blast the buds because they develop exactly during the winter. Last year I lost all of them.
The flower has 4.4” in diameter, but the ovary is fascinating; it is thick and with its 5.5” is larger than the flower itself, folds at the base to make a right angle with the pendent leaf so that the flower can be correctly positioned to the pollinator, probably a nocturnal moth because the flowers are wonderfully perfumed at night! Hope you like it!

[KEGinMichigan]

Very cool! I've had my plant for maybe three years and it hasn't bloomed yet. I'm hoping for blooms this year or next.

Thanks for sharing! :-)

K

[cb977]

That is SO interesting!
I love the third photo!

[GreggC]

And I have some questions. A friend gave me one last spring. I don't think that he was able to give it the culture it needed. This is a mounted plant. I am curious, I have roots coming out from the cork that it is mounted on. I wrapped it with sphagnum moss and it has grown quite a bit. Should all of the new roots that have appeared be covered in moss? Thanks in advance.

[Rosim_in_BR]

Originally Posted by GreggC

And I have some questions. A friend gave me one last spring. I don't think that he was able to give it the culture it needed. This is a mounted plant. I am curious, I have roots coming out from the cork that it is mounted on. I wrapped it with sphagnum moss and it has grown quite a bit. Should all of the new roots that have appeared be covered in moss? Thanks in advance.

I have mine on a tree fern slab, Gregg. As you have well noticed this plant like having a few roots free in the air while others are wraping the mount. I don't cover the roots in the air. I believe the plant has some reason to do that because it could well drive all the roots to the mount. The link that follows shows my plant. It is barely seen, but I believe you can notice a few roots in the air.

Epidendrum parkinsonianum Hook. on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[GreggC]

Thanks so much for answering my question.

[Smeigle]

Hi, this is my first post to the board. Looks like a great place to me. I just purchased and recieved my E. park
and it is SO cool. I love the unusual Pseudobulbs. Mine has one foot long, pendulous, pencil like bulb... Mine too has "air roots" that i am leaving as they are.... I mist them a lot with rain, or tepid water, sometimes with food dissolved. Look forward to the blooms!!

[SP2340]

Wow, beautiful fowers, thanks Mauro!

[Lauraorchidlvr]

I obtained a cork mounted specimen last Oct with moderately shriveled leaves and pseudobulbs. I watered it 2-3 times a day and the leaves plumped up. It has several small spikes now, and I hope it looks as great as yours when it blooms. Thanks for sharing.

[Rosim_in_BR]

Originally Posted by Lauraorchidlvr

I obtained a cork mounted specimen last Oct with moderately shriveled leaves and pseudobulbs. I watered it 2-3 times a day and the leaves plumped up. It has several small spikes now, and I hope it looks as great as yours when it blooms. Thanks for sharing.

Good job, Laura!