Epidendrum poor mans orchid
 

What exactly is this, a species or hybrid? I see it referenced a lot seems no one gives a specific name to it. Also, I've been told the one I have can go in regular soil!!!!!!!! REALLy? That seems somewhat counter intuitive, especially since I grow a lot of terrestrial orchids. I did special ground work for all of the ones I have and leave out year round in Missouri.

Do you have any pictures so we can identify which Epidendrum you have? Because Epidendrum is a whole genus some of which are terrestrial. There is also another plant, Schizanthus, butterfly flower, an Impatiens I believe that is know as "poor mans orchid"

Well, this one came in soil, but it sure looks like an orchid, lol...Attachment 67786Attachment 67787

That's definitely an Epidendrum. I have read that they used to be commonly referred to as "poor man's orchid " - I have read they can be grown in regular potting mix but I once tried that - plant was not happy at all. Did much better after getting potted into bark mix. I now have both my Epis in coconut husk chips mix (they love water!)

If you got your Epidendrum at a local hardware store, it most likely is a hybrid. Unfortunately, I have a difficult time distinguishing the NOID hybrids from the species, so I can't say with any kind of certainty - hence the "most likely".

However...

I will say that if what you have is Epidendrum radicans, they do grow terrestrially.

So, since it came in dirt, I'm assuming regular miracle grow potting mix would be alright. Or should I be on the safe side and use a cymbidium mix. I've got a lot of the cymbidium mix but nothing to use it on, lol...

what's in the Cym mix? Epidendrums do love water, and to be moist (like Cyms).

I have my Epis on bark, coco chips , lava rock, charcoal and a handful of potting soil...potted
Cym mix is also good ...
Philip is right...it looks like a radicans with the flower picture...I have my radicans posted a while ago...
its not poorman orchid anymore: it costs $15 per four stems in a pot at Lowe's(16" long with flowers)

I bought this as a replacement for a hybrid that had a virus. Figured it was going to the trash, so bought it online for about $12 or so.

Thanks Bud. I will be reporting it when I get back home today then.

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ahh, the lovely reed stemmed epi....miner grow in standard bark mix and do really well, i need to repot soon! i just happened to take these pics this morning, they grow in the hottest corner of the gh....