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MarilyninOttawa
To night we will be discussing some interesting genera, 3 of
which were once considered Dendrobiums.
I began this episode with a selection of slides representing
orchids that I have either grown, seen in cultivation, or in
the the wild. Three of the six genera selected were once named
Dendrobium. Subtle details separate these Australasian genera
from Dendrobium and from each other. One genus is known from
New Zealand. The other two genera are mostly from Africa although
some of have species that are world travellers.
The first is Earina mucronata
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Earina mucronata is a common epiphyte in New Zealand
and Chatham Islands. Common names include Peka-a-waka (Maori),
Hanging Tree Orchid and Bamboo Orchid. During our travels after
the 1990 World Orchid Conference in Auckland, we had an opportunity
to see clusters of flowering stems on roadside trees as we drove
across the Coromandel Peninsula. Photographs were somewhat challenging
to obtain since many of the trees were growing on very steep
slopes. In this instance, the bottom of the slope was hundreds
of feet (800 ft) below and the slope began on the other side
of the guardrail! We had to keep our eyes open for a convenient
specimen and then for a safe parking spot along a narrow winding
mountain road. You might imagine one of us photographing while
the other held on their partner for dear life. |
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Plants bloom in spring which is (September to November) in
New Zealand and later in Chatham Islands. The pale yellow fragrant
flowers are about 0.5 in (1 cm) wide. The lip is orange and lobed
at the tip. The plant habit is pendant. Stems have some dark
markings although it is difficult to see this from a distance.
In the picture, you can see the markings on stems in the lower
left. There are many stiff grass-like leaves and copious roots.
One could miss the plants when not in bloom but the yellow flowers
stand out from a distance.
Be certain to look at this document which has many stunning
images. Orchids
of the Chatham Islands
Lehnebach and Robertson (2004) have studied the pollination
ecology of three Earina species including E. mucronata. They
learned that E. mucronata is self-compatible but dependent upon
fly and other pollinators to produce fruit. |
The next genus is Epigeneium
Orchids belonging to the genus Epigeneium were once called
Dendrobium and later, Katherinea. There are between 30 and 40
species known from Asia, New Guinea and the Philippines where
they grow mostly in moist mountain habitats. Flowers are showy
and fragrant. There are two pairs of pollinia. The plants can
ramble somewhat like certain Bulbophyllums. Leaves are leathery
and in pairs atop each pseudobulb. The plants I have seen have
all had considerable distance between growths suggesting that
basket culture might be a better choice. Even though they favor
a moist environment, care must be taken to provide excellent
drainage, high humidity, and good air movement. Plants grow cool
to warm with variation according the species and its typical
habitat.
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Epigeneium coelogyne is sometimes confused with E.
amplum. Some consider them different color forms while others
maintain that they are different species. Both come from the
India, Thailand, Myanmar region where they grow in the mountains.
This large-flowered species was exhibited as Epigeneium coelogyne
in October in Montreal. It has striking fragrant blooms colored
variably cream and brown with a very dark purple lip. Flowers
are about 3 to 4 in (7-10 cm) wide. The plant is small, compact
with two oval leaves atop stout ovoid pseudobulbs. The equally
stout rhizome is visible in the picture. I would grow this species
mounted. The flowers of these two species are quite large compared
to the plant. |
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The next genus we will look at briefly is Eria.
This is a large genus of more than 500 Australasian and Pacific
Island species, some of which were once named Dendrobium. Eria
species have 8 pollinia whereas Dendrobium species have two pairs
of two (four). Flower size varies a lot as does color and flower
placement. Short-lived blooms are presented in racemes or in
singles or pairs from pseudobulb nodes.
I saw this delicious unnamed specimen in a sales both at the
Malaysia WOC. The flowers were colorful and fragrant, the price
was right, but alas, this floriferous plant was too large to
transport home so I took only pictures. |
 Eria sp. A close view.
Jade_in_GR
Looks a bit like a pink Eria spicata.
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Eria albidotomentosa is an attractive epiphytic species from
the Indonesia, Malaysia and southeast Asia where it grows in
hot forest. The plant and flowers are coated with a tomentum
of soft hairs. The 1 in (2.5 cm) fragrant blooms are colorful.
Water this species when in active growth but withhold water and
fertilizer once the pseudobulb has matured as this is when the
plant will flower.
I love this plant! |
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Eulophia is a widespread genus centered in Africa but
with species in the New and Old World tropics. Culture varies
with the habitat type and local climate with some species needing
a decided rest when pleated leaves fall and watering must be
restricted.
Eulophia euglossa is a rare African terrestrial orchid
from Tanzania, Africa. A
plant can be seen at this Netherlands site. Scroll down to
see the English text. This orchid grows much like Zygopetalum
in that its new shoot and inflorescence develop together. Flowering
is in spring to summer when the inflorescence can reach 40 in
(1 m) in height. The numerous 1 in (2.5 cm) flowers are light
green. Remember, this a big plant when in flower!
Once flowering has ended and the pseudobulb has matured, leaves
fall when the plant enters a resting period of several months.
Care must be taken to respect the rest period. Repotting with
fresh dry medium should be done during this time. |
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The next genus we will look at is Eulophidium aka Oeceoclades.
The latter name is the accepted one. This genus squeaks into
the E category but it is now correctly, Oeceoclades. The genus
is mostly African although one species has spread west to the
Americas including Florida. Oeceoclades maculata has mottled
leaves and sometimes showy pink and white flowers.
Eulophidium aka Oeceoclades saundersiana. This
handsome African terrestrial orchid is found across Africa in
a band from Ghana to Tanzania and Zambia. It favors damp, semi-shaded
forest glades. The leaves are fleshy and glossy. The conical
pseudobulbs are colored purple brown. Flowers are striking in
shades of yellow, gold and brown. The inflorescence is about
10 in (25 cm) tall with numerous 0.75 in (2 cm) wide flowers.
Care must be taken to keep the compost evenly moist but with
perfect drainage. I obtained this species in flask. It grows
slowly at first and can be challenging.
Mauro_Brazil
Guess Oeceoclades maculata is an easy-to-grow species, too. Here
in Brazil it fights for space with the garden grass...
MarilyninOttawaYes Mauro, it could be easy to grow
but I take care not to get the self-pollinating form. The flowers
never open!
Mauro_Brazil
Interesting. Never noticed this phenomenon with the plants I
see around here.
MarilyninOttawa
There have been several articles written about the species. |
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The last genus to be discussed is another Dendrobium
relative, Flickingeria.
 The genus Flickingeria has about
50 species throughout Australasia. They were all considered Dendrobiums
until recently. They have short-lived fragrant flowers are carried
atop ovoid unifoliate pseudobulbs. Flower color ranges from white
through green, yellow and reddish brown. Lips can be simple or
ornately fimbriate. There are two pairs of two pollinia. Plants
can be challenging to grow well.
Flickingeria rhipidoloba The specimen pictured here
was entered for judging as Flickingeria laciniosa, possibly
from Java, but later was formally identified as Flickingeria
rhipidoloba (syn. Desmothrichum fimbriatum) which
is known from Australia and New Guinea. It received a CBR/AOS
in 1998. Flickingeria fimbriata, which this specimen closely
resembles, has a more widespread distribution from mainland Asia
through Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. The plant has
the shredded bract sheaths enrobing the pseudobulb which is apparently
the characteristic used to name F. fimbriata. The flower
size was 2.4 cm horizontal spread, 1.7 cm vertical. The lip was
2.3 cm long and 1 cm wide. |
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Here we see the insertion of the flower as it arises from
a dried brown sheath located at the top of a pseudobulb. The
flowers are resupinate but appear otherwise in the picture because
of the flower crowding. |
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This is a closeup view of the flower undersurface.
Any of the species discussed here could be a challenge to
cultivate unless the best conditions could be provided. The best
advice is to do some research before obtaining a plant. Species
that grow where there is marked seasonal variation in temperature
or rainfall should expect a dormancy requirement. The genus Eria
is so large and varied that one is sure to find something to
suit there growing conditions. This genus contains some colorful
species F. luxurians has a lushious flower about 3 cm long. The
lip is dark and ruffled. I particularly like F. scopa which has
very finely divided lip but the flowers like most of the genus,
last only a day. |
MarilyninOttawa
We are now open for discussion. I would like to hear about any
Erias you may grow. My first was an Australian species.
Jade_in_GR
I have three Eria species and find that they really like the
increase in light and heat they got this year.
John_in_Arcadia_CA
I have grown Eria javanica for years. I just ignore it
and it climbs out of the pot and keeps going and bloomimg every
year. My javanica has white to creamish flowers and the spike
goes straight up
N_Calif_Kathy
Mine is a javanica, or something like that. I've had it for several
years, and undoubtedly it needs repotting because its been declining...
I suppose I should use bark? Anyway, the inflorescence starts
out upright then bends pendant. Tan to brown flower. Marilyn
or John, do you use bark to repot? I also have a Eria spicata
"hybrid" = the tag says its a cross of two species
that when I looked up their taxonomy I discovered they were synonyms...
so where that leaves me I have no idea.... but its a very cute
pink flower. It now fills a 8 inch clay bulb pan (in bark)
MarilyninOttawa
Eria javanica has been found in Java, hence the name,
but it is also known from the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand,
Indonesia, and New Guinea. The Eria javanica I know has
white starry flowers on upright spikes. The flowers are from
1-2 inches wide. It is very showy. I wonder what you have Kathy?
John_in_Arcadia_CA
That sounds like mine, Marilyn. It also blooms strangely. The
bottom part of the spike opens first then the flowerrs drop and
the top part opens. That extends the blooming. Yes, Kathy, it
is in bark (until it goes over the side then nothing until it
enters a new pot LOL) It grows about 3 inches between bulbs.
N_Calif_Kathy
On javanica? Really?? Then I wonder what I *do* have! Mine are
about 1/2 to 3/4 inch at best. Now I'll start to care for it
so I can discover if its something quite rare and delectable!
N_Calif_Kathy
Just went to look at the tag it says Eria javanica.
The other is a cross of Eria conducari and Eria spicata
(which the two are the same species)
MarilyninOttawa
Perhaps you could take a picture for us to see some time. I suggest
that it may not be E. javanica. The flower color can vary
from white to cream. The lip is about 1 cm long, pointed,and
red at the base and on the 2 side lobes. As to the other plant,
there could be a lot of synonyms for Eria spicata. I didn't
know of any hybrids but I could be wrong.
Jade_in_GR
I grow Eria fragrans, javanica and spicata. The later
is blooming presently. Pretty white chain like. My javanica has
similar growing pattern. Also it is pleasantly sweet when it
blooms. My javanica has flowers definitely wider than an inch.
It is a lovely. Same pattern of starting to bloom at bottom as
spike continues to grow and produce more buds.
MarilyninOttawa
Any species that grows readily and has fragrant blooms also,
should be treasured! Many Erias do flower that way. The flowers
are not all that long-lasting but they can extend their blooming
period using this mechanism.
N_Calif_Kathy
I also have an Epigenium lyonii. They are a bulbo relative??
I *think* they like evenly moist conditions with good drainage...
Mauro_Brazil
This is an orchid seldom seen for sale here in Brazil. I would
like to have one.
MarilyninOttawa
What you have is Epigeneium treacherianum aka lyonii.
Epigeneium has been variously named Sarcopodium, Dendrobium,
Bulbophyllum, and Katherinea. I agree, the plant looks a lot
like a bulbo.
N_Calif_Kathy
Now to figure out who treacher and lyon were....
MarilyninOttawa
E. treacherianum was once called Dendrobium treacherianum.
It was named after a colonial secretary named Treacher. The flower
color varies from solid cranberry / purple pink to having white
petal/sepal tips. Epigeneium treacherianum is the accepted
name. E. lyonii is a synonym.
janetteh
Most people around here don't have much luck with this species
because they overwater. The trick to growing it is to mount it
on a slab and then put the slab in a clay pot with small gravel
so that the plant and roots are several inches above the gravel.
The roots will grow down into the gravel and it gets the water
that it wants (needs) but the roots don't stay wet.
N_Calif_Kathy
Many of the people who grow them here grow in moss.... I can't.
It salts out. Or turns to mush or dries too fast...eh.. So I
stay with bark.
janetteh
Our conditions here are probably a lot different from there.
I can't grow in it either. Stays too wet or too dry.
MarilyninOttawa
Epigeneiums are plants of rain forests but there is considerable
variation in rainfall and night temperature over the year. This
varies with species and habitat of course.
N_Calif_Kathy
So maybe it'll be adaptable.... (I can dream)
MarilyninOttawa
Drainage must be perfect, humidity high, excellent air movement,
good water quality. Pay attention to the plant which will tell
you when it wants to grow. That is when you need more water.
Otherwise, you can mist with air movement to get evaporative
cooling. |
