Epidendum magnoliae or conopseum culture tips requested

[Maryanne]

Hello Orchid-Lovers:

I would like culture tips on Epidendrum conopseum/magnoliae. I have a very small plant which I received from another private grower in North or South Carolina - I can't remember which, as I've had it nearly 10 years now.

I tried growing it mounted for several years, but it didn't make much progress, then switched it to small bark mix, but after switching it to sphagnum in a tiny clay pot it seemed to perk up a little. It stays about the same size all the time.

It has not blossomed. It's getting a medium to bright amount of light in dappled sun/shade. Goes outside for the summer, cool greenhouse in the winter. Although, we had a hard cold snap recently, so I brought it into my East facing bay window.

I've seen photos of some for sale on ebay as 'legally collected' wild plants, and they are on branches with the associated 'resurrection fern.' Mine does not have any fern in the pot with it. I toyed with the idea of buying another one, but would only do so if I could be sure the plant is ethically sourced and affordable.

If anyone in the southern states is growing this cute little Epi, please chime in with your growing conditions and suggestions on how to make mine happier. I would really appreciate your expertise.

Thanks for your insight!
Happy growing
Maryanne in Massachusetts

[Dollythehun]

Epidendrum conopseum

[epiphyte78]

Bluemossguy on Ebay quite often sells flasks of Epidendrum conopseum crosses. You don't have to worry about the seedlings being unethically sourced and you might get some hybrid vigor.

Not too long ago I bought a few seedlings of Epi. conopseum x B. nodosa from him. I'm so happy with them that I wish that I had bought an entire flask of this cross. They are mounted with a little Sphagnum moss and have no problem with relatively infrequent waterings.

[isurus79]

I keep mine outside all year long and it blooms for about 4 months. Its pretty bullet proof and handles sub freezing temps as well as months of 105 F degrees. Typical Cattleya media and sunlight works for me.

[estación seca]

My experience has been the Caribbean basin epiphytic Epidendrums with pseudobulbs, and Encyclias, must never dry out when making active root or shoot growth. A mount would need a good soaking every day while in growth, and while flowers are forming. The wetness accounts for the ferns you see growing in habitat photos and habitat-collected branches.

I haven't grown conopseum, but I have a few Caribbean basin Encyclias. Skipping a few days' watering while they're in growth usually leads to the immediate death of the new growths.

They are epiphytes so they need good air at the roots.

Epi. conopseum is reported to have grown right along the sea coast up into the Carolinas. It would never be dry for long in this area.

[Maryanne]

Thanks you All who have responded. I do like to hear about the natural environments that various orchid species live in - that helps me picture what I need to do to accommodate... maybe a trip to N or S Carolina is in order ; -)
Thanks again
Maryanne