Crucifix Orchards - the Reed Epidendrums

Epidendrum, from epi meaning upon and dendron, meaning a tree, refers to the epiphytic habit of genus members.

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit Raymond Island down off Paynesville in Victoria, for one of the best weekends away I have had in a while. I was there for a jazz festival and a family who I had met previously who lived permanently on the island in retirement had invited me down to stay.

Their garden was very sandy and the soil was very infertile.

However, the lovely Epidendrum was so beautiful down on the island and in full flower when I was visiting.

This was in March, which is our autumn in Australia.

My host pulled bits from it to give me to bring home and put them straight into a plastic carry bag. Most of what I saw growing was above ground and the bits pulled off were just coming off so easily, not even attached to anything that I could see.

One of the pieces was in full flower at this time. I threw the plastic bag in the back of my car and went off to listen to some wonderful jazz.

I gave these plants no more thought until I arrived home days later. When I did arrive home, it was quite dark, so I took the bag of goodies and sat it on a seat in my backyard. Next day, I was back at work quite early in the morning; the Crucifix Orchid was destined to spend quite a while in this position.

Epidendrums are tropical and American in origin. I had only briefly seen these plants before because they are not grown in my collection. About 400 species are known up to this stage. A very practical use for Epidendrum bifida which is from tropical South America is for treatment of tapeworms and intestinal complaints. E. cochleatum, which is from central and tropical South America and also the Caribbean, has pseudobulbs, which are crushed to form a mucilage.

They are a vertical, clumping plant with a rigid central leaf stem that has many rigid, flat, bright green leaves, alternate and open. They will grow to up to 4 metres in height and rooted stems will appear along the stems of flowers.

Flowers are white, pink, red-orange, purple, lavender and yellow. These grow mainly in spring and summer.

They propagate from pieces of shoots, which form on the flower stalks of the older plants. Just pull off the dead leaves and older flowers to keep them looking neat and tidy.

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