Epidendrum ciliare

Also known as: Spider Orchid or Epidendrum ciliare ssp. mexican Epidendrum ciliare h.v. ciliare Epidendrum ciliare h.v. cuspitatum Epidendrum ciliare var. minor Coilostylis emarginata Epidendrum cuspidatum Epidendrum cuspidatum var. brachysepalum Epidendrum ciliare var. cuspidatum Epidendrum sanctalucianum Encyclia ciliaris Epidendrum ciliare var. typicum Auliza ciliaris Epidendrum ciliare var. viscidum Coilostylis cuspidata Coilostylis ciliaris Epidendrum viscidum Chicken-feather Orchid (Costa Rica) in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Belize Campeche - Mexico Chiapas - Mexico Colima - Mexico Departamento del Caqueta - Colombia Departamento del Huila - Colombia Guerrero - Mexico Nayarit - Mexico Oaxaca - Mexico Panama Puerto Rico Sao Paulo - Brazil Veracruz - Mexico

General Information

Spider Orchid is a cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Belize, Mexico, Colombia, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Brazil.

Plant Description

Grows to 20-60cm. Each new growth has numerous leaves that grow to 2.5-35cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 2-30cm. The plant tends to climb or sprawl with each new growth

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear

Fragrance

The orchid is most fragrant during the night.

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• Treefern
• Spaghnum Moss

Care Notes

These orchids like to be kept on the dry side, but may need to be watered daily during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered regularly.

These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 10mm to 480mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 67% to 90%, highest in October and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 12C to 27C, highest in March (15C to 27C) and lowest in January (12C to 23C).

Watering

Keep moisture levels up during hot weather as the plant is prone to dehydration

Fertiliser

Apply liquid based fertiliser per recommended directions. They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, followed by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears, and a balanced fertiliser in other times. These orchids can also tolerate slow release fertiliser applied 1-2 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

Use balanced fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.

Potting

These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow. 

Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.

Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,

This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted. Repotting is best done annually.