Orchid 'Epidendrum radicans'

Epidendrum radicans occurs in the cool mountainous regions of Central America. The plant can grow to about 40cm. The lanceolate leaves alternate up the base of the flower stem. There can be more than ten different flower stems on a plant, with flowers growing in bundles at the end of these stems. The petals are pink and the serrated lip provides a yellow accent resembling a flame.

Epidendrum radicans is an easy to care for orchid. Unlike many other orchids, this species needs a lot of diffused sunlight. Keep the temperature warm around 23°C, but away from heating. Keep humidity at a normal level. Water with rain or distilled water. As a substrate, use a mixture of moss and perlite that you keep constantly moist, but not soaked. Fertilize the Epidendrum radicans once every 2 weeks with orchid food at half strength to grow larger flower bundles.Cut old flower stems, leaves and flowers from the plant with disinfected pruning shears.