NOS member Rod shared his growing tips for his May Plant of Botanical Interest winner, Epidendrum werffii.
At the May Species get together the Plant of Botanical Interest was Epidendrum werffii grown by Rod.
This quite eye-catching species from north western Ecuador is found in wet montane forests as a warm growing epiphyte. The foliage is dense with a wandering nature and the flowers are yellowy green and they appear from tips of growths.
Rod grows this orchid under 50% shade cloth with good watering and it is attached to a coir totem where it is thriving. I have not seen this orchid before and I would not expect to see it grown by many specialist growers.
Rod is renowned for having many magnificent species orchids and this one really caught the attention of everyone in attendance.
Rod’s Epidendrum werffii. (photo supplied by Rod/David)
Epidendrum werffii belongs to the Difforme group and is recognised by its upright, slightly flattened stems and thick, leathery leaves. Its most striking feature is its large, pale green, star-shaped flowers, which can reach around 12 cm across. Flowering can occur over an extended period, with blooms appearing successively across several seasons.
Good Growing. David