Epidendrum congestoides

[Pattywack]

This Epidendrum was a Black Friday purchase at Al’s Orchids. Who needs the mall when you can visit a greenhouse? Not me. I was in hopes of buying a new Neofinetia to celebrate my one year of growing them but didn’t find any I really wanted.

I’ve passed this plant up many times, always regret it after I’ve left so this trip was the day to add it to my collection. Besides my daughter threatened to buy it if I didn’t. I have other mat growing Epi’s and love them.

Epidendrum congestoides is a mat forming Epi from Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica. I’ve also seen it described as pendant growing. It likes shady, warm conditions and flowers winter and late spring. Apparently this plant is rarely offered. Al originally purchased this from Tropical Orchid Farm, the date on the tag is from 2009.

This is the only Epidendrum congestoides that Al had and he had been tempted to chop it up and make small mounts. He said it was too perfectly symmetrical so he just couldn’t cut it up. The old flowers are brown and drying, you can see them on the tips of the growths. It is growing in moss in a 3 1/2” tall clay pot with a net pot upturned in the bottom.

I think this Epi is very unique, happy to have it!