New Epi Nocturnum...
 

Hey guys, just got a piece of a friends Epi Nocturnum, doesn't look to healthy and he didn't give me too much in the way of a root system. :(

My main concern is the discoloration on the leaves, any ideas what s going on? Also, once it has re-established itself, what are it's light requirements and such, it'll be growing in pine bark in a suspended plastic pot full of holes. I live in Darwin, in Australia, so we're really tropical, hope that's enough info for ya?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/DSC00447.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/DSC00445.jpg

It looks to be Guigrnardi fungus.

The good news is that while it does not look especially good it rarely causes any serious heath problems and the orchids live fine.

It is more common on Vanda where is is almost impossible to prevent without regular treatments of some harsh chemicals.

Once it occurs there is no way to eliminate the spots on the infected leaves. Fortunately new leaves will keep growing.

Enjoy the plant.

Likes bright indirect light as for Cattleyas.

Is very resillient. Grows lots of roots more so than plant.

Fast grower, grows as fast as many of the commonly sold reed stem Epidendrum hybrids.

It's harder to flower though.

Has wide temperature range.

Good even moisture with a well draining potting mix will do. You may want to add some moss over the top of the bark to retain the moisture a bit.

Likes good air circulation. Will develop problems if the air is too stagnant.

These grow as epiphytes on moss covered branches or lithophytes and grows upright.

Supposed to have a fragrance, but mine hasn't bloomed yet.

Here's a pic of them in the wild.

http://www.orchidspecies.com/brazil/epinocturnum.jpg

It had just finished flowering when I got it King, and every "stem" had a spent spike at the top of it, so I guess our conditions are pretty ideal here. I haven't notice a fragrance either yet, but apparently it's a night only smell, hence the name.