Epidendrum nocturnum

Also known as: Night Scented Epidendrum or Epidendrum nocturnum h.v. tumue-humaciense Epidendrum carolinianum Epidendrum bahiense Epidendrum leucarachne Epidendrum nocturnum var. minor Epidendrum discolor Epidendrum nocturnum var. angustifolium Auliza nocturna Amphiglottis nocturna Nyctosma nocturna in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Mexico Parana - Brazil

General Information

Night Scented Epidendrum is a large sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Mexico and Brazil.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 100cm. Each new growth has numerous elliptic lance shaped, oblong shaped leaves that grow to 0.5-17cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 50cm

Flowers

Numerous short lasting, fragrant blossoms appear

Fragrance

The orchid is most fragrant during the night.

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Spaghnum Moss
• Perlite

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 203mm to 381mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in July. Humidity ranges from 87% to 89%, highest in January and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 16C to 27C, highest in March (17C to 27C) and lowest in January (16C to 25C).

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.

Be sure to flush out excess fertiliser by running water through the media regularly year round. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer. Reduce fertiliser when plant is dormant.

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,

Use water retentive media such as moss to prevent roots from drying out quickly This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted. Repotting is best done annually.