Care of the indoor plant Epidendrum radicans or Fire-star orchid |
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The genus Epidendrum, family Orchidaceae, comprises 1,000 species of orchids native to tropical regions of America. Some species are: Epidendrum radicans, Epidendrum acuminatum, Epidendrum compressum, Epidendrum secundum, Epidendrum magnoliae. Common names: Fire-star orchid, Ground-rooting epidendrum, Rainbow orchid, Reed-stem epidendrum. This species is native to La Palma, Canary Islands. They are terrestrial orchids (not epiphytes) with erect stems with aerial roots that reach 1.5 meters (4.92 feet) in height. The leaves are alternate, thick and ovate-elliptical in shape. The attractive, scented red-orange flowers appear in clusters at the end of the stems. They can bloom several times a year. These easy-to-grow plants are used in groups in the garden (subtropical and tropical climates), as greenhouse plants or as indoor plants. Epidendrum radicans requires illuminated exposure without direct sun in the middle of the day. The soil can be a commercial substrate for orchids. Transplant them every 2 years in early spring. Water with lime-free water 2 times a week in spring and summer and once a month the rest of the year. The humidity must be high: spray the plant daily in summer (with water without lime) or place wet stones in a plate under the pot. Fertilize with orchid fertilizer every 20 days during the growing season. Prune wilted flower stalks to encourage more blooms to appear. They can suffer fungal attacks if water accumulates in the roots; if the humidity is low they can be attacked by mealybugs and aphids. Seedlings can form on withered flower stalks that can be used to propagate. It can also propagate by division at the time of pot transplantation. |
Images of the indoor plant Epidendrum radicans or Fire-star orchid |
 Epidendrum radicans  Epidendrum radicans |