Is this at all an orchid?

[Silje]

Hi all

So, I ended up with two sad looking plants from the local nursery a couple of weeks ago.

Here they are:
Is this an orchid?

Now, they were standing next to a withering phal with absolutely no name tags (or price tags, for that matter) whatsoever.

So when I had done my shopping, the girl behind the counter asked if I wanted those two 'things' over there thrown in for free. I said why not, even if they looked more dead than alive.

I suppose it was the keikis and the aerial roots that made me stop and look at it in the first place. The keikis have been removed and planted into small pots on their own.

they were planted in a soggy pot soil mix, so I took them out and put them in bark. They seem to like that. At least now they are more green than yellow.

I'm not even sure it is an orchid. Is it? I was thinking that if I'm lucky it is some kind of dendrobium... If I'm unlucky it's just weed...

Can anyone help me identify this plant?

[WhiteRabbit]

my guess would be epidendrum or den
I'm sure someone will come along with a more definite answer

all in all - doesn't look too bad - awesome freebie!

[PaphMadMan]

Reedstem Epidendrum. It won't be possible to figure out a more precise identification till they bloom, and probably not even then. They grow like weeds with bright light and reasonable care. It should't be difficult to find culture information. Free orchids are the best kind.

[Silje]

Yey! So you think it is an orchid! I was hoping, and looking at Dens mainly as a possibility. Will check out reed stem epidendrums now. I cut of some of the canes that had been broken and were hanging in just some dry fibers and they have already come to life in the bag they're in so it looks like a quite vigorous plant.

Thank you!

[Silje]

I've looked at pics of reedstem epidendrum and that's definitely the same kind as my two freebies.

I got one more question regarding these plants.

They look like they are in need of a trim, and it is very tempting to cut down some of the longer canes/reeds of the tallest of the plants.

I don't think I can hope for any flowers on these two guys very soon, and it's just a long branch with withered leaves.

But I don't know if it is just better to leave it (as a pseudo bulb with storage), or if a trim will encourage it to shoot from the base again as many other plants will.

What do you think?

[RJSquirrel]

glad to know thats an orchid.. I would have said you got some bamboo


Reed stem epidendrums can grow to be over 6 ft tall. The spikes can reach another 3 or 4 ft. They like to be outside in full sun till noon then shaded from direct sun and heat in the afternoon. Dont let it dry out or get burned. Wont have much luck indoors with blooms if you dont get it outside for the growing season which is now as they bloom in the spring

I have no answers, only opinions

[Silje]

i'm in Namibia in southern Africa, RJ. And here we have mid winter with frost and minus degrees at the moment, so I will keep it inside for the time being. But it is definitely going out in the spring. It has quite a lot of aerial roots and I thought I'd hang it in a tree so that it can climb and hold on to the bark.

Ps, could of course be bamboo... But I'm still hoping it's an epidendrum.

[PaphMadMan]

As far as trimming, I would never remove any healthy intact tissue. The old pseudobulbs do provide some nutrient and water storage for the plant and if there is any green tissue it contributes to photosynthesis too. And as the pseudobulbs do die back the plant recovers some of the nutrients there instead of simply losing them if it is removed early. Removing them will not encourage new growth.

[Silje]

Ok! I will leave the plants as they are and see hoe they are developing from now on.

Thank you, PaphMadMan.

Ps, this forum is great! So glad I found it. Only problem I'd that it might lead to more orchid purchases.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Silje

Only problem I'd that it might lead to more orchid purchases.

it will!