AboutOrchids

When it comes to the all-time record holders for blooming orchids, look no further than the Epidendrum family. The 3 varieties pictured here share the admirable distinction of staying in bloom all year in our garden. The red ones have been blooming continuously for over 6 years, persisting even in our cool, gray winters. They were growing wild in the backyard of a student of mine in San Francisco’s Twin Peaks neighborhood, and she gave me some cuttings. Much to my delight, they have proven virtually indestructible. The orange and purple varieties are later additions.

These Epidendrums have tall, reed-like stems and stiff leaves that have survived strong winds, rains, heat waves, and even hailstorms. Their durability extends to their ability to grow in a variety of potting media, and they can thrive in regular soil. They’re a favorite lunch stop for hummingbirds and butterflies, too.

Not all varieties of Epidendrum can handle full sun or chilly temperatures, so if you want to find permanent bloomers for your own neck of the woods, it may take some research and experimentation. Since all 3 of these color varieties came to me as cuttings without name tags, I’m left to marvel at their tenacity, but cannot give them due credit. I believe the red variety is Epidendrum radicans, but no matter where they live in the Epidendrum family tree, they’ll always have a home in our garden.

Explore posts in the same categories: Cool Growers, Intermediate Growers, Photos

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 at 8:27 am and is filed under Cool Growers, Intermediate Growers, Photos.

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