Epicattleya Rene Marques 'Flamethrower' x Epidendrum ilense

[D_novice]

Got this last spring, it has one or two old leafless growths, one new growth and just this one flower on it's spike. Thanks to SLO Orchids and Rudy Bachmann for this cool plant.

I have another cross of Epc R-M 'Flamethrower" with B. glauca but that one didn't do anything so far.

[epiphyte78]

Nice! I recently purchased this from SLO as well. I'm hoping it will be able to grow outdoors here in SoCal.

Do you have any reed-stem Epidendrums in bloom? If so, it would be great if you tried to pollinate one of them with the pollen from your ilense cross. I'd be very interested to know if a pod developed. If it did, then you should be able to sow the seeds without flasking.

[D_novice]

I don't keep reed-stem epidendrums. They wouldn't like our cold winters in Marin (most winters have a few nights in the mid to high 20s), and they're too large to grow indoors in winter. (And, I don't do breeding, just a low-level hobbyists )

I did see many very cool reed stem epidendrums, including growing by the side of the road, when I was in Cali / Valle del Cauca, Colombia, this past April.

[epiphyte78]

Not sure about mid 20s but at least some, such as Epi Gordons Pink, have survived down to 28 at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate. If you haven't already tried it outdoors then it would be a pretty good candidate.

Some reeds can be small enough to bring inside though. Here's a photo that I shared in my recent thread...



If you have trouble seeing the photo then try this link to the album.

Left: Epidendrum Red Mini x self

Right: Epidendrum Little Miss Sunshine (Epi magnoliae 'SVO' x Epi xanthinum f. compactum 'Resplendens' CBR/AOS)

I recently purchased both of these orchids from Sunset Valley Orchids. I'm sure that they'll get a little larger but they shouldn't get so large that it's a hassle to bring them indoors.

As for breeding, some reed-stem Epis can be a little challenging to pollinate. But after that hurdle the seeds can be easily germinated. Unlike most other orchid seeds you don't have to worry about flasking. The reed-stem seeds can be sown on moist Sphagnum moss in zip lock bags near a bright window.