Attached are 2 pictures of an orchid that I have not be able to
identify.

Your assistance will help me figure out how to care for it as it seems
tall and thin. I do not think it is happy because, although it is in
bloom, it is trying to get a case of the mealy bugs which I have gone
after with insecticidal soap. It seems to want to only get new growth
a short distance under where it recently bloomed such that it seems to
always be trying to get taller (and more top heavy). The new growth
grows up but also puts out new roots high up on the plant.

Any help is appreciated - sorry for the crude descriptions but, if
this sounds like a newbie, you guessed it, I am.

You have a reed stemmed Epidendrum. Which one, I cannot say. These often get
very tall and rangy. From the photo, I am guessing that you grow it outside
under screening. Is that correct? Also, where are you and what is your
climate?

The roots on the stems are keikis. That is a new plant forming. At some
point you can either leave it on or pot it up, having simply twisted it off
the stem.

These Epis tend to stand straighter if they get the same light all day. In
my experience, they can take a good bit of sun. Some folks here in FL grow
them in the ground.

If you have recurring mealies, they are most likely in the pot, too. I
recommend that you unpot, clean the plant with that insecticidal soap and
repot into a fresh pot with new medium.

HTH!

Diana

"eddie rukidding" wrote in message
...
Attached are 2 pictures of an orchid that I have not be able to
identify.

Your assistance will help me figure out how to care for it as it seems
tall and thin. I do not think it is happy because, although it is in
bloom, it is trying to get a case of the mealy bugs which I have gone
after with insecticidal soap. It seems to want to only get new growth
a short distance under where it recently bloomed such that it seems to
always be trying to get taller (and more top heavy). The new growth
grows up but also puts out new roots high up on the plant.

Any help is appreciated - sorry for the crude descriptions but, if
this sounds like a newbie, you guessed it, I am.

On Mon, 28 May 2007 16:41:04 -0400, "Diana Kulaga"
wrote:

You have a reed stemmed Epidendrum. Which one, I cannot say. These often get
very tall and rangy. From the photo, I am guessing that you grow it outside
under screening. Is that correct? Also, where are you and what is your
climate?

The roots on the stems are keikis. That is a new plant forming. At some
point you can either leave it on or pot it up, having simply twisted it off
the stem.

These Epis tend to stand straighter if they get the same light all day. In
my experience, they can take a good bit of sun. Some folks here in FL grow
them in the ground.

If you have recurring mealies, they are most likely in the pot, too. I
recommend that you unpot, clean the plant with that insecticidal soap and
repot into a fresh pot with new medium.

HTH!

Diana

I think you covered most of it, Diana. But Reed Stems also do throw
roots up 5-8 inches. It is as if it expected to add support. The pot
roots tend to be fairly shallow while it sending out the higher root
cluster. So not all aerial roots are keiki. Mine blooms at a height
of 6-6 1/2 feet. It permanently sits against the south wall of the gh
and is wired to the wall at about 4 feet for a bit of support.
Given enough sun and food this plant will bloom most of the year.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/main.php

You are absolutely right about the root cluster, and I ought to have
mentioned it. Hmm. Wire it to the wall, huh? Maybe I will!

Diana

"SuE" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 28 May 2007 16:41:04 -0400, "Diana Kulaga"
wrote:

You have a reed stemmed Epidendrum. Which one, I cannot say. These often
get
very tall and rangy. From the photo, I am guessing that you grow it
outside
under screening. Is that correct? Also, where are you and what is your
climate?

The roots on the stems are keikis. That is a new plant forming. At some
point you can either leave it on or pot it up, having simply twisted it
off
the stem.

These Epis tend to stand straighter if they get the same light all day. In
my experience, they can take a good bit of sun. Some folks here in FL grow
them in the ground.

If you have recurring mealies, they are most likely in the pot, too. I
recommend that you unpot, clean the plant with that insecticidal soap and
repot into a fresh pot with new medium.

HTH!

Diana

I think you covered most of it, Diana. But Reed Stems also do throw
roots up 5-8 inches. It is as if it expected to add support. The pot
roots tend to be fairly shallow while it sending out the higher root
cluster. So not all aerial roots are keiki. Mine blooms at a height
of 6-6 1/2 feet. It permanently sits against the south wall of the gh
and is wired to the wall at about 4 feet for a bit of support.
Given enough sun and food this plant will bloom most of the year.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/main.php

Thanks Diana & Sue for the info.

I am in Central Florida and the plant is on my pool deck where it gets
direct morning light but is shaded from about 11am on (the area is
bright from reflected light from the pool).

6' plus! Its in a 5" plastic pot inside a clay pot. It likes to fall
over in summer storms which usually breaks pieces off.

What is the best way to care for this plant? Should it be potted like
other orchids or in dirt?

Should I support its tall growth? Sounds like it may need a trellis
arrangement (?). Any suggestions for keeping it from falling over?

I'd prefer to keep it in the pool area where it can be enjoyed if I
can.




On Tue, 29 May 2007 11:52:16 -0400, "Diana Kulaga"
wrote:

You are absolutely right about the root cluster, and I ought to have
mentioned it. Hmm. Wire it to the wall, huh? Maybe I will!

Diana

"SuE" wrote in message
.. .
On Mon, 28 May 2007 16:41:04 -0400, "Diana Kulaga"
wrote:

You have a reed stemmed Epidendrum. Which one, I cannot say. These often
get
very tall and rangy. From the photo, I am guessing that you grow it
outside
under screening. Is that correct? Also, where are you and what is your
climate?

The roots on the stems are keikis. That is a new plant forming. At some
point you can either leave it on or pot it up, having simply twisted it
off
the stem.

These Epis tend to stand straighter if they get the same light all day. In
my experience, they can take a good bit of sun. Some folks here in FL grow
them in the ground.

If you have recurring mealies, they are most likely in the pot, too. I
recommend that you unpot, clean the plant with that insecticidal soap and
repot into a fresh pot with new medium.

HTH!

Diana

I think you covered most of it, Diana. But Reed Stems also do throw
roots up 5-8 inches. It is as if it expected to add support. The pot
roots tend to be fairly shallow while it sending out the higher root
cluster. So not all aerial roots are keiki. Mine blooms at a height
of 6-6 1/2 feet. It permanently sits against the south wall of the gh
and is wired to the wall at about 4 feet for a bit of support.
Given enough sun and food this plant will bloom most of the year.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/main.php

On Tue, 29 May 2007 22:28:51 GMT, eddie rukidding
wrote:

Thanks Diana & Sue for the info.
What is the best way to care for this plant? Should it be potted like
other orchids or in dirt?

Should I support its tall growth? Sounds like it may need a trellis
arrangement (?). Any suggestions for keeping it from falling over?

I'd prefer to keep it in the pool area where it can be enjoyed if I
can.
Snipped----------

Florida - Talk to Diana about ground or pot growing.

Mine is in a 8" clay pot.

I would suggest you add a few support points to a roof support pole.
If you must move it for storm protection, maybe just some type of
spike in the upright that the plant can be leaned into to help catch
it when it wants to move sideways. Or just tie it to the uprights.
This is more a tip precaution than support. Although I do believe it
will spread if allowed to fall, break and root in place. It is a
beautiful splash of color. I was enjoying mine thru the gh wall while
John painted yesterday.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/main.php

Eddie,

I grow my reed stem Epis according to the type. There are some smaller ones
that I grow in a mixture of coconut husk chips, small Aliflor, charcoal and
sponge rock. The taller ones I have in straight Aliflor. I can tell you that
when I repot, they are all going into Aliflor. It's just easier.

As for your tall one, I suggest one of two things (or both). If there is an
area of the pool deck (that's where we grow, too) that gets high light all
day, it will love it there and tend to stand up straighter, too. If not, try
using a ring that attaches to the pot and surrounds the stems. This will
help, but it won't be enough. You're going to need to devise some type of
staking and tie the stems to that with floral wire or tape (you can get
those at HD). It's also possible to use Velcro. And if it's prone to falling
over, either put it in a much heavier pot or rig something up to one of the
posts that hold up your patio roof.

I give these lots of water. For the ones in Aliflor, they get water at least
every other day.

HTH

Diana

"SuE" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 29 May 2007 22:28:51 GMT, eddie rukidding
wrote:

Thanks Diana & Sue for the info.
What is the best way to care for this plant? Should it be potted like
other orchids or in dirt?

Should I support its tall growth? Sounds like it may need a trellis
arrangement (?). Any suggestions for keeping it from falling over?

I'd prefer to keep it in the pool area where it can be enjoyed if I
can.
Snipped----------

Florida - Talk to Diana about ground or pot growing.

Mine is in a 8" clay pot.

I would suggest you add a few support points to a roof support pole.
If you must move it for storm protection, maybe just some type of
spike in the upright that the plant can be leaned into to help catch
it when it wants to move sideways. Or just tie it to the uprights.
This is more a tip precaution than support. Although I do believe it
will spread if allowed to fall, break and root in place. It is a
beautiful splash of color. I was enjoying mine thru the gh wall while
John painted yesterday.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/main.php

I posted a long response to this yesterday. Can anyone see it?

Diana

"SuE" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 29 May 2007 22:28:51 GMT, eddie rukidding
wrote:

Thanks Diana & Sue for the info.
What is the best way to care for this plant? Should it be potted like
other orchids or in dirt?

Should I support its tall growth? Sounds like it may need a trellis
arrangement (?). Any suggestions for keeping it from falling over?

I'd prefer to keep it in the pool area where it can be enjoyed if I
can.
Snipped----------

Florida - Talk to Diana about ground or pot growing.

Mine is in a 8" clay pot.

I would suggest you add a few support points to a roof support pole.
If you must move it for storm protection, maybe just some type of
spike in the upright that the plant can be leaned into to help catch
it when it wants to move sideways. Or just tie it to the uprights.
This is more a tip precaution than support. Although I do believe it
will spread if allowed to fall, break and root in place. It is a
beautiful splash of color. I was enjoying mine thru the gh wall while
John painted yesterday.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/main.php

I can Diana

"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
news
I posted a long response to this yesterday. Can anyone see it?

Diana

"SuE" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 29 May 2007 22:28:51 GMT, eddie rukidding
wrote:

Thanks Diana & Sue for the info.
What is the best way to care for this plant? Should it be potted like
other orchids or in dirt?

Should I support its tall growth? Sounds like it may need a trellis
arrangement (?). Any suggestions for keeping it from falling over?

I'd prefer to keep it in the pool area where it can be enjoyed if I
can.
Snipped----------

Florida - Talk to Diana about ground or pot growing.

Mine is in a 8" clay pot.

I would suggest you add a few support points to a roof support pole.
If you must move it for storm protection, maybe just some type of
spike in the upright that the plant can be leaned into to help catch
it when it wants to move sideways. Or just tie it to the uprights.
This is more a tip precaution than support. Although I do believe it
will spread if allowed to fall, break and root in place. It is a
beautiful splash of color. I was enjoying mine thru the gh wall while
John painted yesterday.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/main.php

Thanks, John. Server probs again, I guess. I'm beginning to get blah
blah thread answers but not original postings. They'll square it away.

Diana

"John Varigos" wrote in message
om...
I can Diana

"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
news
I posted a long response to this yesterday. Can anyone see it?

Diana

"SuE" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 29 May 2007 22:28:51 GMT, eddie rukidding
wrote:

Thanks Diana & Sue for the info.
What is the best way to care for this plant? Should it be potted like
other orchids or in dirt?

Should I support its tall growth? Sounds like it may need a trellis
arrangement (?). Any suggestions for keeping it from falling over?

I'd prefer to keep it in the pool area where it can be enjoyed if I
can.
Snipped----------

Florida - Talk to Diana about ground or pot growing.

Mine is in a 8" clay pot.

I would suggest you add a few support points to a roof support pole.
If you must move it for storm protection, maybe just some type of
spike in the upright that the plant can be leaned into to help catch
it when it wants to move sideways. Or just tie it to the uprights.
This is more a tip precaution than support. Although I do believe it
will spread if allowed to fall, break and root in place. It is a
beautiful splash of color. I was enjoying mine thru the gh wall while
John painted yesterday.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/main.php

yeap, I can.

Kye

"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
news
I posted a long response to this yesterday. Can anyone see it?

Diana

"SuE" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 29 May 2007 22:28:51 GMT, eddie rukidding
wrote:

Thanks Diana & Sue for the info.
What is the best way to care for this plant? Should it be potted like
other orchids or in dirt?

Should I support its tall growth? Sounds like it may need a trellis
arrangement (?). Any suggestions for keeping it from falling over?

I'd prefer to keep it in the pool area where it can be enjoyed if I
can.
Snipped----------

Florida - Talk to Diana about ground or pot growing.

Mine is in a 8" clay pot.

I would suggest you add a few support points to a roof support pole.
If you must move it for storm protection, maybe just some type of
spike in the upright that the plant can be leaned into to help catch
it when it wants to move sideways. Or just tie it to the uprights.
This is more a tip precaution than support. Although I do believe it
will spread if allowed to fall, break and root in place. It is a
beautiful splash of color. I was enjoying mine thru the gh wall while
John painted yesterday.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/main.php