Epidendrum Orchid

[love2cee]

From everything that I have read, this is the easiest orchid to raise. Well I have the ONE that is being the most difficult.

I received 2 last week in the mail, soaked it for a day in root stimulator, the seller packaged it real well, no dying roots. I planted it in sphag and put it outside with the rest of the orchids. One of the canes is starting to turn brown like its dying from the bottom working its way up. The leaves still look healthy green, I had a tie (I borrowed from another healthy orchid) to hold up the leggy orchid so I have removed it. I have watered it only twice. Once last thursday when I planted it and again yesterday, monday with some neem oil spray.

My question, How do I save it??

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I think we are going to need a picture for this. You say it is an Epidendrum. Is it a reedsteemed Epi? How many canes are there on the problem plant? If this looks like it is spresding to other canes, you may want to do some surgery, but most times with Epis this kind of thing is self limiting. Cynthia

[jerrymeola]

I generally classify Epis into Reed Stem which many people claim to be easy to grow and others that are much more like cattleyas in temperment.

Reed Stem can be planted in the ground here in Florida and can grow 20 feet high spread easy or they can sit and do nothing. I have a reed stem I am trying to grow as a vine and it has not made a leaf in 9 months.

You still have to find the right conditions for the Reed Stem orchid. Some like shade some sun some moist some dry and not always consistent. A friend gave me a piece that grows like weeds for him and does nothing for me.

I find all need a time to adjust, and you are going to just have to wait and see if yours starts growing.

[love2cee]

Here is what the "Red Passion" is doing. Please tell me if I am killing it.

Thank you

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Are you sure that stem section is brown thru and thru. It looks like it could just be the outter covering that is brown. You can take a sterilized sharp edged tool and scrape the outer surface to see if it is just dead leaf tissue covering the stem. This is quite common on reedstemmed epis, and nothing to be alarmed about. Cynthia