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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Orchidaceae (Orchids) |
| Origin: Tropical America |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Purple |
| Bloomtime: Year-round |
| Height: 2-3 feet |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Light Shade/Part Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
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Epidendrum 'Purple' (Purple Reed Stem Orchid) - This evergreen orchid holds leafy stems growing up to 30 inches tall, producing balls of 30 or more brilliantly-colored 1-inch purple flowers on 18 inch terminal spikes. This locally popular (Santa Barbara) but unnamed variety is very floriferous with abundant flower spikes throughout the year. In time plants develop keikis (Hawaiian term for "babies"), which are new vegetative growths produced on old stems and flower spikes. Once these keikis develop their own 2- to 4-inch-long roots, they can easily be detached from the stem and planted individually in pots and grow readily in almost any setting, whether in a pot, mounted on a cork slab, or in raised flowerbeds outdoors, as climate permits. Strong, sturdy growth comes when plants are placed in bright light, even full sun along the coast. It benefits from fertilizer, and thrives when grown in a rich, fast-draining humus mix. It will tolerate temperatures down to 25-30° F for brief periods. Our plants under tree cover survived a drop below 20° F in the freeze of 1990.
Information displayed on this page about Epidendrum 'Purple' is based on the research conducted about it in our library and from reliable online resources. We also note those observations we have made of this plant as it grows in the nursery's garden and in other gardens, as well how crops have performed in our nursery field. We will incorporate comments we receive from others, and welcome to hear from anyone who may have additional information, particularly if they share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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