I don't think I like Epidendrums, when it comes right down to it. I mean, I try, and sometimes I think, oh, that's a nice color combination or whatever, but they just don't do it for me. Give me a few large flowers (Paphiopedilum, Cattleya) instead of a huge cloud of tiny flowers (Oncidium, Epidendrum) any day.
Not saying you have to agree. Just personal preference. I'd make an exception for fragrant flowers, but I haven't run into any straight Epidendrums that were fragrant either. At least not fragrant enough that I noticed.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Pretty picture: Epidendrum Neon Valley
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7 comments:
you have something in common with madge. see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-45U8RYhOH0
Epis are my favorite orchids, I think they look like a flock of birds all taking off at the same time. I'm not sure I've ever actually met anyone else who likes them though.
I agree, cluster of small flowers is just "pretty" or "cute", while large blooms call for "gorgeous" or "beautiful". Although I do like the fluffy middle part of these epi flowers.
Speaking of large blooms, I just had my vanda Robert's Delight 'Garnet Beauty' flowered. Sorry for bragging - it is my first vanda with it's first flowering that I can take full credit for.
Vanda in bloom
(Please remove the link if you think it is not appropriate)
Not all Epidendrums look like that. Some species are much more like Catleyas and are crossed with Catleyas to produce Epicattleyas.
I like smaller flowers. Some of my favorite orchids have tiny flowers. Plus, Epidendrums are hardy here in Northern California. We grow purple and orange varieties.
And in contrast, the huge floofy flowers of some cattleyas do absolutely nothing for me. Nor do I care all that much for most of the huge vanda flowers.
those are the so called 'reed-stem' Epis. kind of interesting - botanically - but not all that striking as far as orchids go.
there are other species that are quite curious, with larger, scented, yellowish-greenish-white flowers.. like Epi.ciliare. and Epi.parkinsonianum is an impressive plant.
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