One orchid recognized for its pendant inflorescence and fragrant flowers is the Epidendrum Parkinsonianum. These orchids are incredibly valuable as house plants because of their beautiful cascading growth.
The Epidendrum Parkinsonianum stands out from other similar orchids due to its exquisitely big flowers and its powerful scent, which intensifies at night. Many orchid lovers discover that taking care of Epidendrum Parkinsonianum plants gives them a great deal of pride, happiness, and peace.
From southern Mexico through Central America and on to Panama, Epidendrum Parkinsonianum is a natural plant. The states of Jalisco, Michoacan, Mexico, Morelos, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Veracruz, and Chiapas all contain these plants. It is a widespread but infrequently encountered epiphytic plant that often grows in oak and pine forests between 1500 and 2300 meters above sea level.
It is a large, cool to cold, pendant-growing, epiphytic species that grows up to 200 cm long. It has cylinder, curved, 10 cm long pseudobulbs that are surrounded by a few ominous, tubular bracts at the base that support a single apical, pendulous, fleshy, narrowly lanceolate, entirely folded leaf that can grow up to 46 cm long.
Epidendrum Parkinsonianum blooms at varying periods of the year on the apical, 5 cm long, racemose inflorescence that emerges from beneath the base of the folded leaf and has one to three fragrant, big, long-lasting flowers. The flowers are often a little smaller, although they can go as large as 15 cm in diameter.
The outer and inner whorls’ long, narrow, substantial spans can be whitish, pale brown, pale yellow, or yellowish green. On the outside of the violet-brown petals, they frequently have a subtle violet hue. A three-flap, large, white lip with a more or less distinct yellow or yellow-orange patch on the surface is sharp and longer in the center than the sides.
Epidendrum Parkinsonianum Care
The Epidendrum Parkinsonianum continues to be a top pick because it appeals to both beginner growers and orchid experts. These gorgeous plants are greatly sought after because of their stunning flowers, alluring smell, amazing growing pattern, and simplicity of care.
Orchids of the Parkinson’s Epidendrum species that are in good health can also be quite resilient to fungus and pest infestations.
Water
The Epidendrum Parkinsonianum may take in moisture from the air thanks to its epiphytic nature. This does not imply that the orchid needs very little watering, though.
In its natural habitats, the orchid has evolved over time and benefits from moderate to high rainfall. In addition to this, the orchid draws moisture from the dense, humid air of the woodlands it inhabits.
Cultivation
Apart from late spring to early autumn, Parkinson’s Epidendrum prefers regular and moderate watering. Moderate to intensive watering is advised during these vigorous growing and flowering times.
To prevent root rot, care should be taken to ensure that these lovely orchids don’t remain in standing water or have their roots become very damp. The amount and frequency of watering should be decreased during the colder winter months. It is advised for growers to keep the roots moist but not wet.
This preserves the health and moisture of the plant’s roots. To avoid fungal development or dryness during this season, it’s crucial to maintain the Epidendrum Parkinsonianum’s roots in good condition.
Light
Fragrant Orchid of the Night, Epidendrum Parkinsonianum
Parkinson’s Epidendrum thrives under bright, filtered light. The orchid prefers prolonged exposure to gently diffused lighting because it is acclimated to its natural habitats where it thrives in the protective foliage of its hosts.
The orchid needs between 20,000 and 30,000 lux of light to grow.
Due to the fact that this orchid favors shady areas with maximum exposure to soft-filtered lighting, midday sun exposure should be avoided to prevent leaf burns.
Soil
Parkinson’s Epidendrum is a plant with enormous dangling leaves that is perfect for mounting. Huge slabs of cork, tree fern, or rough bark make excellent foundations for highlighting this fragrant specimen’s branching growth pattern.
Also, because of this material’s rapid drainage, the plant can receive large amounts of water without becoming waterlogged.
The Epidendrum Parkinsonianum orchids can also be shown in pots, but the substrate needs to be very permeable and quick-draining. The best substrates for potting mediums are cork pieces, perlite, sphagnum moss, and bark chips. When an Epidendrum Parkinsonianum plant has outgrown its mount or container, repotting is advised.
Repotting
Epidendrum Parkinsonianum should be fastened on cork, bark, or tree ferns because of its big, hanging, and branching nature. These plants thrive in hanging containers or baskets with excellent drainage. Cutting the rhizomes allows for division. The pieces should then be planted on the boards with the leaf facing upward, even if they only have one increment.
The temperature
While in a tropical environment, this orchid can tolerate colder temperatures to a certain level. The Epidendrum Parkinsonianum can experience daytime temperatures between 78 and 80 F due to the hot, humid weather of its natural habitats. For the orchid to have enough time to sleep during the night, nighttime temperatures can be between 55 and 58 F.
Keeping Parkinson’s Epidendrum’s warmth and heat ranges is advised for orchid cultivation. Particularly during the colder months, some growers favor the use of complex heating apparatus while others employ simple heating equipment.
Humidity
Throughout the summer and early fall, ideal humidity levels for agriculture are between 70 and 75 percent. In order to protect the roots and leaves from too much water, which could cause fungal growth and infections, colder winter seasons demand a humidity of 55 to 60 percent.
Fertilizer
In the wild, Parkinson’s Epidendrum typically gets the nutrients it needs from the nearby decomposing organic materials. Nitrogen and phosphorus, which are crucial for many plants’ growth and reproduction, are released as a result of the decaying components.
The preferred dosage for cultivating the Epidendrum Parkinsonianum is between 1/4 and 1/2 the recommended strength of most orchid fertilizers. For the orchid’s growing season, which lasts from spring to midsummer, a fertilizer with a high nitrogen content is optimal. Phosphate-rich fertilizers work best when applied in the late summer to early fall.
Rest Period
The wet seasons of the Epidendrum Parkinsonianum’s native habitats would be regarded as its resting season because it is used to warmer climes. The orchid is typically advised to undergo a true rest time in more moderate locations with winters present.
Watering frequency and volume should be decreased during this period. Eliminating excessive water retention in the plant’s roots and between its leaves is of utmost importance.
Regular misting and watering are advised, but growers should watch out for any standing water or any symptoms of dehydration. When an orchid plant is dormant, fertilization should be avoided, or at the very least, drastically reduced.
Propagation
These fragrant blooms entice moths to pollinate their flowers at night in the wild, producing seeds of orchids. These seeds eventually mature and disperse to the air and the ground, where the seedlings can develop in the same favorable conditions that supported the parent plant.
For some growers, developing Epidendrum Parkinsonianum seeds into fully grown plants can be a big goal. Growers have reported low yield and low viability during this laboriously drawn-out approach. This strategy can be expensive and time-consuming.
Due to its speed and safety, division is the preferred way for growers to cultivate these fragrant orchids. By using a plant division mechanism, a higher output is guaranteed, and seedlings develop to resemble their parent plants.
Epidendrum Parkinsonianum Information
Related Name
Auliza Pugioniforme, Brassavola Pescatorei, Brassavola Pescatorii, Coilostylis Parkinsoniana, Epidendrum Aloifolium, Epidendrum Falcatum Var. Zeledoniae, and Epidendrum Pugioniforme are some of the other names for this exquisite orchid, which is also known as Parkinson’s Epidendrum.
Size
A foot or longer in length, Parkinson’s Epidendrum is a large, pendulous, clumping epiphyte. Huge specimens have reportedly grown to be longer than five feet.
Growers are urged to establish a suitable location for this stunningly magnificent orchid due to its scrambling growth habit. The Epidendrum Parkinsonianum transforms into one of the night’s most stunning views once the growing season starts.
Leaves
The pseudobulbs of the Epidendrum Parkinsonianum are enormous and curving, measuring about four inches long. Each pseudobulb produces a single pendant-shaped, fleshy leaf that can grow to be up to 18 inches long. The tips of the cylindrical, deep-green leaves are typically reddish in color and quite fleshy and flaccid.
Roots
When healthy, the Epidendrum Parkinsonianum has fine, white roots that are swollen. Green tinges the tips, which eventually become covered in a white membrane to protect the roots from fungus and other illnesses.
The orchid plant demands continual moisture but not excessive or stagnant water because it is an epiphytic grower. Often wet conditions could promote root rot.
Flowers
The Parkinson’s Epidendrum is an attractive shrub with up to five flower clusters on each inflorescence spike. The orchid’s flowers are entirely white with a striking yellow stain in the middle. The flowers that resemble birds have a strong scent at night and produce a lot of blooms in the spring and summer.
The Epidendrum Parkinsonianum produces tri-lobed flowers that are typically four to six inches in size, scattered widely. The one to two flowers that are produced by the inflorescence last for around three weeks. The leaf base, where the pseudobulb is located, is where the flower spikes emerge.
Blooming Season
Throughout the year, the orchid blooms frequently, especially in its natural environments. Once the flowering season begins, the nighttime air is filled with the undeniably seductive scent of citrus. This species’ flowers begin to open at night, which is a sign that nocturnal insects like moths fertilize it.
Flowers from Parkinson’s Epidendrum can last for over a month, according to some producers. Because of this quality, the orchid is very well-liked by growers seeking out sensory gardening experiences, especially at night.
The habitat
Although this unique hothouse orchid is native to Central America, it can, unexpectedly, be cultivated anywhere with the right growing circumstances. Normal distribution of the Epidendrum Parkinsonianum includes southern Mexico, Central America, Guatemala, and Panama.
The orchid plant can be found growing in forests where big pines and big oaks are common in these native settings. The orchid is an epiphyte, meaning it lives between the branches and forks of its preferred tree habitat.
Conclusion
No matter their level of experience, novice or expert orchid growers alike like the Epidendrum Parkinsonianum. This orchid is very cherished and well-known for its fragrant flowers, amazingly dramatic foliage development, and undeniably simple maintenance requirements.
Let’s review everything we now know about these amazing orchids:
- Flowers on the Epidendrum Parkinsonianum orchid are strongly perfumed, especially at night.
- This orchid is the perfect specimen for orchid mounts and shows pots because of its drooping growth pattern.
- Parkinson’s epidendrum prefers high humidity, warm temperatures, brilliantly diffused light, appropriate watering frequency, and all of these conditions.
Despite their wonderful tropical reputation, growing orchids may be quite enjoyable and easy. Anyone may encourage these wonderful plants into full growth and magnificent flowers with a little tender love and knowledge, capturing priceless scented twilight memories that will last a lifetime.
