How to Care for Epidendrum Orchids

Orchids are striking plants in home growing situations, and grow in over 30,000 different species. Specific orchid varieties -- Dendrobium, Cymbidium, Oncidium and Phalaenopsis -- are the the most common of the bunch, and grow most successfully for home gardeners. Epidendrum orchids, also called star, crucifix and poor man's orchids, are not as easily recognizable, but are good for beginning orchid growers. These are subtropical orchids that feature luscious scents and a range of different colors. Like all orchids, Epidendrums require very specific growing conditions to thrive and rebloom.

Things You'll Need

• 6-inch pot
• Fern matter/orchid potting medium
• Orchid fertilizer

Instructions

1. Keep your Epidendrum orchid in the right planting media for success. These orchids rot and die in standing water, so use tall pots with drainage holes and a porous, airy potting medium like peat moss, gravel or wood chips. Change organic potting mediums once a year to keep them fresh and nutritious.

2. Put Epidendrum orchids in north- or south-facing windows where they'll get soft, indirect light, or keep them in rooms with bright fluorescent or halogen lights. These plants will fail if they don't get enough light. They may sit in direct, bright light, but will do better with indirect light. Maintain temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees F for best growth.

3. Water Epidendrum orchids when they begin to dry, but not before. Check the potting media once a week and water the orchid with 1 to 2 inches of water only if the medium is dry. Don't get water on the orchid's leaves, as they will rot and fall off. These plants enjoy water more than many other orchids, but should never sit in standing water.

4. Feed Epidendrum orchids with water-soluble orchid-specific fertilizer, or 3-1-1 for bark potting mediums and 1-1-1 for gravel or perlite mediums. Feed the orchid once a month during the orchid's dormancy and once a week during periods of active growth. Always mix the fertilizer per manufacturer directions.

References

• D&B Orchids; Growing Orchids; Dotty Woodson, Horticulture County Extension Agent -- Texas Cooperative Extension
• University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service: Growing Orchids in the Home
• John & Jacq's Garden: Epidendrum Orchids
• Orchids: Everything You Need to Know: Epidendrum Orchid Care
• Everything Orchids: Epidendrum Orchids