I am new to epis. Lucked into a pot of fruhling's gold last year that was full of blooms. Now I think I have the "bug" Wren107 was kind enough to share a leaf of american beauty and a noid that should be purple. Now what do I do?? The original plant that started it all looked too big to be in the pot it came home in so was put in a much larger pot a few days ago before bringing it in for the winter. Do these guys like a lot of room or should they be somewhat rootbound? How do I get it to set buds again? And on, and on, and ------ you kind of get the idea. Some of the forums have stickies on the top with helpful information for newbies like me. Any chance of that here? Thanks for your help!
New to Epis, any chance of a "sticky" on top of the forum?
I do not know about the stickies
The three places I get my cuttings from all say to feed the epis 10-10-10 monthly excet Dec, Jan, Feb when you feed 0-10-10, You others out there jump in and tell us what you use. I have read that they like to be root bound and another place that they do not, So lets here what the rest of you think. I like to use clay pots for the younger plants right now as I do not have a good roof on the makeshift shade house that I use and the clay dry out faster so I have less root.
I just took pain pills so not thinking clearly. Better stop now
Sandy/wren
Yes, they like to be root bound. Cooler winter temps help to promote flowering also. Im no expert, just sharing what I have learned. I plant mine in plastic pots, but, thats probably a preference thing. In the summer, I hang them from the branches of trees, as that is where they grow naturally in the wild. I water them quite often in the summer, but, in the winter, I do not winter all winter long. The only water they get is what drips off the roof of my greenhouse. The lack of water in the winter seems to also promote flowering. They seem to thrive on humidity. I don't have to worry about that here, but, you might want to mist them in the summer.
I have read in some places, that if they are not rootbound, they will not bloom. I just repotted all of mine into larger pots and I kind of hated to do it if it was going to delay the buds, but the foliage was so top heavy I couldn't keep the pots upright.
During the warmer months, mine live under my oak trees. In the winter months, I keep them on a porch covered in greenhouse plastic. I only water about once a month in the winter. Last year I heated my porch since I had birds out there, but this year with the birds in an aviary, I won't be heating both places.
I will be trying the recipe soon. I have some cuttings rooting and those I just repotted will start being fed in about january.
i don't mist them because of the humidity here, but if I am watering my other plants, I have no problem spraying the epis as well.
I have read both rootbound and not. This is only my thought on the matter--in the wild they do not live in pots but growing on tree limbs--there is not walls to restrict them and many develop roots along the stems so if they get everything else they need I don't see the repottings will stop flowering.
I have seen some pots that are wide and short that might be better for our epis. I think I am going to try a few.
Sandy
Thanks Sandy,that does make more sense when you think about it. LOL I think the theory behind it must have been to stress the plant into blooming.
Linda
Yes and remember the only soil they have up there is rotting leaves, if that. Plus they grow in rainy high humidity hot areas. I have the high humidity heat!!!!!LOL But I have way to much rain. It is only 75 out side but the humidity makes it fill like 90 I am so ready for cooler weighter.
Sandy the epi nut
it is finally cooling off here. Our nights have been in the 60's for a couple of weeks and the relative humidity has dropped considerably. All in all, October is probably our best month temperature wise.
Somebody also told me about starting cuttings upside down, Have you ever heard of this? They told me they are getting almost 100% success rates. I am going to try some today and see which root faster. I will let you know.
Good I have one piece that is determined to rot that I turned up side down after recutting it. I am also trying some of the very small pieces that the squirrels broke of on their side. I am going to try other ways come spring. I have enough to try to protect this winter already. My success rate is abut 98 % only have a couple that would not root. the one that is determined to rot is Bozo and it was an abnormally fat cutting and I mean very fat it may have to much water in it.. I just bought a new cutting of this and it looks normal so I may have better luck
I wish it would cool of here.
Well have to get out and get some boxes to ship the epi oxy cuttings to those that wonted them. be back later
Sandy the epi nut
Ok I have an answer on the "STICKY" we have to notifies the powers that be and they would look at the thread and decide if it is worthy and make it one. The problem is very few people agree on anything. Of course if it is friendly disagreement that is ok I think.
So if any one is interested go to it.
Sandy the epi nut
Got a response from admin about the sticky. All you have to do is request it. Do you think I should start a new thread titled "post your helpful links and info here" or something like that? With such a diverse group of people I bet that there are a lot of little gems out there that would be great to have all in one easily accessible place. Sandy, the websites I have seen you post are just the things I was thinking about.
Run with it. I would like to see everyones list where we can see them and know who has what so we can work out trades as things become available. Right now I am not in shape to do it. My dad is not doing good.
Sandy the epi nut.
Hope your dad starts feeling better soon. Anything we can do??
No his body is just wore out. I am afraid it will only be a matter of days, unless there is a very big turn around. I think he is ready to go.
Sandy