Reed-stem Epidendrum growth habit/cycle

[LobsterOfJustice]

Can someone explain the reed stem Epidendrum growth habit? I got my first one recently and I'm trying to figure out what's going on.

I've got a small (I assume oldest) pseudobulb/cane with no leaves. Ive got a slightly larger (I assume second-oldest) cane with one pathetic little leaf. This one looks like it was cut off at some point in the past. Then I've got two main stems. One with no leaves (small pathetic yellow one, basically no leaves), and a bloom spike at the top. This one has a new offshoot at the base. Another full of leaves, with what appears to be a keiki developing at the top - an offshoot about 1" below where this was cut at some point (previous years bloom?) that is growing its own roots.

Just trying to figure out what is old growth and what is new growth. Where should I expect leaves and where should I expect blooms? I'm just confused because one cane has buds and no leaves, and another has leaves, and appears to have previously bloomed. Does it bloom on new growth and produce leaves on old growth? That seems weird. Or are there two distinct types of canes?

[PaphMadMan]

New growth comes from the base, as yours is doing. Keikis are also possible at any node on the stem. How much your plant does this will depend on the species background and breeding. Leaves develop first, then flower spike from the top of the stem. Stems may lose leaves but persist for several years. You may see stems cut short because they have been taken as a cutting for propagation. Keikis may sometimes develop directly into spikes. Depending on the length of the stems and the frequency of keikis it can lead to a chaotic growth pattern. High quality modern hybrids tend to be selected for short stems and few keikis.

[estación seca]

In other words, your plant is growing normally. And I might add, it's been severely underwatered. The leaves are deeply furrowed, and the cane behind the one with leaves should have a few leaves, too.

[LobsterOfJustice]

Thank you both for the info! Sounds like it kind of makes it up as it goes!

Originally Posted by estación seca

the cane behind the one with leaves should have a few leaves, too.

I think that's part of why I was confused.

I just got it in the mail last week and repotted it this weekend. When I first received it I thought the media was really broken down, but now I think it actually had some regular potting soil mixed in with the bark it was in. It was very dry. I watered it after repotting yesterday, but I'm giving it a good soak now to make sure the new bark is fully saturated.

Thanks again!