What kind of orchid is this?

[ThePizzaMonster]

They said it's a cymbidium at the nursery but it doesn't look like any of the photos I see.

[signin1234]

Reed stem Epidendrum

[neophyte]

it's definitely a reed-stem Epidendrum.

[Dollythehun]

Epidendrum radicans most likely. Weeds. Beautiful weeds.

[neophyte]

there are many reed-stem species and even more hybrids, so I wouldn't be too quick to say it's an E. radicans, but it's more than likely that E. radicans is in its lineage.

Weeds. Beautiful weeds.

Totally agree... I'd let those "weeds" run over my garden if they could tolerate the winter!

[ThePizzaMonster]

Originally Posted by neophyte

Totally agree... I'd let those "weeds" run over my garden if they could tolerate the winter!

But is it terrestrial? It's planted in gravel currently and it seems to be doing just fine.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by ThePizzaMonster

But is it terrestrial? It's planted in gravel currently and it seems to be doing just fine.

If well drained, it can grow as a terrestrial. The San Diego Zoo, in southern California, uses them in the landscaping and they are growing very well. (Other landscape plants there include palms and such, so I suspect that the soil is sandy and well-drained... not like the adobe clay that passes for "soil" at my house)

[Dollythehun]

Mine once grew on the roadside of a South American country. It now grows in coarse potting soil. They cut them down with brush hogs in their native habitat. Mine was brought back by a Purdue botanist, who had a friend, who had me as a customer. I found it laying in a pot of potting soil in full sun, in his commercial greenhouse. It was blooming like crazy and I asked for a piece.

[WaterWitchin]

And again, something you could easily grow outside. Either amend your soil if it doesn't drain rapidly or grow in a large pot. Have a machete ready.

[ThePizzaMonster]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

And again, something you could easily grow outside. Either amend your soil if it doesn't drain rapidly or grow in a large pot. Have a machete ready.

I only have a balcony so it'll be potted for now but I may look into putting some in my mom's garden. Can they be mounted or do they prefer to be on the ground?