Epidendrum having issues

[junebug's orchids]

So, this was totally my bad, not some weird disease. I accidentally let this one dry out a bit too much (plumbing failure) and then tried to revive it and this is what I ended up with; an orchid that used to be stunning and now has mostly black leaves, but the roots still look great.

It's in the bottom of the terrarium, hanging on the log it was mounted on. Everything else in there has been doing great so I'm not sure what to do about this. It's also a PITA getting stuff out of the tank because all of the equipment had to be routed through the screen lid.

What do you guys think? Is it salvageable?

[Dollythehun]

Do you have the capability to draw a circle around it in the picture? I have several Epis but I can't see yours to offer even a guess.

[junebug's orchids]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Do you have the capability to draw a circle around it in the picture? I have several Epis but I can't see yours to offer even a guess.

It's in the left hand ">" in the crossed wood, hanging on a log. Next to the fan. The reason you can't see it is the leaves are the same color as the wood for the most part LOL.

It's Epidendrum neoporpax if I recall correctly. A very cactusy one with big bulbous growths.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by junebug's orchids

It's Epidendrum neoporpax if I recall correctly. A very cactusy one with big bulbous growths.

If it is actually Epi neoporpax, it will probably come back on its own - these, like Epi porpax and relatives, form mats and can grow into a substantial plant from just one or two growths. I wonder though, about the big bulbous grows part... doesn't sound like Epi neoporpax or a member of that family, which have a bunch of small succulent leaves. Do you have a closer photo? Perhaps from before its setback that shows leaves, flowers, or both?

[junebug's orchids]

Originally Posted by Roberta

If it is actually Epi neoporpax, it will probably come back on its own - these, like Epi porpax and relatives, form mats and can grow into a substantial plant from just one or two growths. I wonder though, about the big bulbous grows part... doesn't sound like Epi neoporpax or a member of that family, which have a bunch of small succulent leaves. Do you have a closer photo? Perhaps from before its setback that shows leaves, flowers, or both?

It's neoporpax. I just meant bulbous because the leaves/growths are so much thicker than my other epis and all of my other orchids.

I've taken it out of the terrarium and it is not looking good at all. I think the combo of drying out and then being in a rather moist spot in the tank caused the rot. I'm gonna try misting it for a bit and see if that helps, rather than having it in the tank with all that water circulating.

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[Roberta]

It may need to grow somewhat drier than what it is getting the tank. I looked up the Baker culture sheet in Orchidwiz, and he emphasizes that it needs to dry out between waterings, coming from an area of Cuba that gets light to moderate rainfall. May take a little while to recover, but it very likely will come back. The tank is probably just too constantly wet.

[junebug's orchids]

Originally Posted by Roberta

It may need to grow somewhat drier than what it is getting the tank. I looked up the Baker culture sheet in Orchidwiz, and he emphasizes that it needs to dry out between waterings, coming from an area of Cuba that gets light to moderate rainfall. May take a little while to recover, but it very likely will come back. The tank is probably just too constantly wet.

Yeah that was my thought too. It was drying out slightly, but that tank is pretty humid in general as it houses mostly pleuros along with some mosses and sphagnum that's coming back to life.

I've taken it out so we'll see what happens. Meh at least this means I have room to add my last pleuro to the tank LOL.

I will probably trim away as much of the dead leaves as I can, try to save the roots, and see what happens.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by junebug's orchids

I will probably trim away as much of the dead leaves as I can, try to save the roots, and see what happens.

I'd suggest just letting them fall naturally rather than cutting. The underlying rhizome may look dead but it isn't necessarily. You may get new growth sprouting where you don't expect it. Let the plant do what comes naturally.

[estación seca]

The other plants there certainly look great!

[junebug's orchids]

Originally Posted by estación seca

The other plants there certainly look great!

Right? Everything is doing so great except the poor epi!