Tropicals & Tender Perennials: EpiForums, 2 by orchidman1

orchidman1 wrote:
Gitagal
Your Ric Rac is beautiful.
they are valued for their stem shape and ragged appearance. Their bloom is unusual and they do not bloom often.
The stringy roots are adventurous roots and should be left alone. They are natural to many hybrid epies. If found in great numbers they could indicate a moisture problem. Usually, however, they are a good thing.
The brown covering is most likely scale colonies. Insecticidal soap or alcohol/water sprayed on them and scrape with your fingernAIL to remove.
The address below will answer most of youe questions about these plants. keep it on your computer for future need, It is excellent.

http://www.theamateursdigest.com/epis.htm

I went out to my greenhouse tonight and found my April Showers full of buds. This is very early. I would bet there are 75 buds on the plant. I took the pictures below.