Are epidendrums supposed to do this??

[Orchidementia]

I bought an epidendrum (Fantasy Valley 'Star Burst') in February. It bloomed like mad for about 3 months; I put it outside in too much light (!) and underwatered for a bit ... once I got its conditions corrected, it started a lot of new growths and a ton of new roots at the base of the plant; apparently this one is bullet-proof. It also is respiking on old spikes. I thought they didn't do that ... apparently, I was wrong, but is this usual?

[patticake]

OOOO awesome photo! I haven't grown any of these guys, yet....I'll be curious to know the answers..

[kid a]

Wow! I don't know either but that is soooo cool! It must love you and it's conditions!

[myorchid]

that is pretty cool. It will be interesting to see what others have to say about it.

[Anton]

Epis do all sorts of strange things.

Sometimes when a plant has been under stress it will try and make new growths to ensure it survives, eg Dens that throw a lot of keikis, it is a survival mechanism.

If it is throwing a lot of keikis, you need to find out why it is not a happy chappy and try and get things back on track as you have done.

I recently had a great flowering Den that continually threw keikis, which I potted and they are going great guns, but the parent plant, just up and died overnight one night.

I found out the potting mix had gone off without me knowing, valuable lesson learnt. I now make sure potting mix is changed on my plants at least yearly, or if up potting, when I repot.

[Orchidementia]

The new growth are not keikis; they are regular growth:

[Anton]

You have obviously corrected the problems and that plant is looking happy with those new growths.

[Orchidementia]

Originally Posted by Anton

You have obviously corrected the problems and that plant is looking happy with those new growths.

...turns out they like water and quite a bit of it! I now water it as much as I water my nobile den. Also turns out that my understanding of "high light" and what my plant wanted were two different things (this one enjoys more "miltonia" than "dendrobium" lighting).

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by Orchidementia

It also is respiking on old spikes. I thought they didn't do that ... apparently, I was wrong, but is this usual?]

Yes, this is normal for reed-stem Epis. There was an Epi with two heads of flowers, just like you have (or will soon have) at the show I judged Friday night. In my opinion it's a sign of good culture so keep up the good work!

[Orchidementia]

Originally Posted by kmarch

Yes, this is normal for reed-stem Epis. There was an Epi with two heads of flowers, just like you have (or will soon have) at the show I judged Friday night. In my opinion it's a sign of good culture so keep up the good work!

Thanks! Although you might revise your opinion if I weren't too embarrassed to post a full pic of the whole thing ... parts of it look like I either deep-fried it or set it on fire. Dehydration + too much light = ouch. As I said earlier, I think this one is bullet-proof to survive that kind of really bad culture to go on to grow like it is now!

[kmarch]

Well you said you did give it a rough go at first but that you eventually got it in good conditions, so it's bound to look a little rough. Those of us who have been around that block a few times call that "learning".

But the new growth you showed looks fresh and vigorous and clean so it will eventually look a lot better.

[Ellen]

I have a different clone of Epi Fantasy Valley, which has bloomed for more than two years off the same spike. The plant produces multiple spikes that bloom for years, then once the main spike finishes it grows branch flower spikes, which can bloom for years. This constant blooming doesn't seem to compromise the plant in any way, since it produces new growths all the time, both basal growths and keikis. It eventually produces so many growths all over that it knocks its pot over and has to be "trimmed". Orchidementia, what your plant is doing is perfectly normal and healthy. They do like a lot of water, but if kept wet enough can take full sun. Some reed-stem epis can be tricky to grow, but this one apparently is indestructible.

[PhalPal]

I think you answered my question Ellen; I was under the impression that Epi's could take full 'So Cal' sun. I have wanted to planted some in my garden but thought I would check around first to see if any local growers have them in-ground with lots of sun. I have been told they grow like weeds along the roads in Mexico, and Mexico is HOT. Do you happen to know from personal experience just how much light they can handle if well watered???

[Leisurely]

I have Epi. radicans growing on my deck in full Florida sun and they bloom for about eight months out of the year. Not only do they like a lot of water but they also respond well to regular fertilizing.

I am not doing so well with Epi Fantasy Valley though. I ordered the plant from a grower in Oregon and it was reported to be a miniature. I have had it for two years and it has never bloomed and is growing very slowly. It is only about eight inches tall. How large is your plant and how big does it have to be to bloom?

[Orchidementia]

My plant is over 2' tall; it has about 6" growth since I bought it, and that's with the setback from being dried and fried. It's been "uppotted" (rootball with medium placed in a bigger pot with new medium packed around the original) once since it was too top heay to stand upright, and the roots fill the new 6" pot.

I treat it a little like a fuchsia - food with every watering, and lots of watering. I don't feed it the same strength as I do fuchsias, but it is responding well to frequent feedings/waterings, and I still have it sun-hardy fuchsia light (partial/filtered sunlight); I don't think it's quite ready for full sun yet.