Epidendrum question

[Pokey49]

I have one reed stem epidendrum in my collection that has continued to do well putting on new growth and blooms, until now. The last couple spikes have turned black at the top and of course no flowers as a result. The one spike that is coming on now appears its going to do the same. I have not changed the watering/feeding agenda. The roots are very compacted, and I am wondering if I should re-pot it. Otherwise I dont know whats going on with it.

Paul

[WhiteRabbit]

Hmm...

If it's quite root bound, and during warm/hot (and maybe dry) weather, it may need more water ...?

[Pokey49]

Irs is root bound, I have thought about repotting it. I do water it weekly and its inside my sunroom, not out in our triple digit, hot & dry as a bone weather. Do you think repotting would help and watering 2x per week?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

What kind of potting media are you growing this in?

Have you checked the roots?

What is the light level?

What is the fertilizer you're using?

It is best to provide as much specific growing information as possible, and to provide a pic if you can. I realize that you might believe that certain pieces of information might not be important to divulge, but when it comes to problems like this, you will have to reconsider that thought. The smallest, most unforeseen thing can be the actual cause to your problems and you won't know it unless you give people more information for people to help you.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

For future reference, Epidendrum are categorized within the Cattleya Alliance.

This section doesn't get a ton of traffic because this is where the orchids that don't fit into any of the commonly horticulturally grown groups get posted.

[Pokey49]

Philip- the plant in question gets watered 2x per week given our current hot dry weather now. 1x per week a good soaking and 1x per week a "small drink" I feed it weakly weekly and its in my sun room with plenty of light, but not direct sun lilght. Temps in the 70s- low 80s. See a couple pics that are attached. This plant has already bloomed 3x since I got it last fall. I think I have attached a pic, though I am never sure when I try it here

[WhiteRabbit]

** thread moved to Catt alliance forum **

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Does your sunroom have a special type of glass that filters out a large proportion of the UV? I'm asking because, this plant looks like it is not receiving enough light even though you think it is. The leaves are a very dark green. It shouldn't look like that. It should be a much lighter green than what your plant is displaying.

What is this orchid growing in? What is the potting media? Is it in potting soil? Is it in bark? Is it in coconut husk chips? Which kind of potting material is it growing in?

The temperature seems ok. If those are what the temperature ranges are in the growing area, then it should be within range.

Do you have a pic of the entire plant, including the pot?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

As I'm re-reading your posts, I'm also inclined to say that you may want to increase the watering by allowing the orchid's roots and the potting media to dry out completely for no more than 1 day before watering again.

[Fairorchids]

Reed stem Epis are telerant of a wide range of conditions.

My dad used to grow them in a large bed (4' x 8') directly on the ground. Originally they were planted in a spaghnum/bark mix, but after several years that medium had composted somewhat, and eventually they were in the same medium for some 12-15 years.

However, we sprayed that bed with water, daily in the summer, and at least once a week during the winter, so it was never allowed to go dry.