Epidendrums

Question from Randy:

What is the best medium to plant epidendrums in? Cymbidium bark, soil or a mix. Thanks. Or none of those?

Answer from Pat:
Epidendrum orchids grow well in ground bark or small gauge pathway bark. I don’t ever purchase orchid bark since it is the same thing as pathway bark, but more expensive and often mildewed. In interior zones, I recommend mixing pathway bark with about 1/3 Super Soil to create a more water-retentive mix so that one does not need to water as frequently. I have also seen big tubs of epidendrums growing successfully in potting soil. In a garden in Rincon, California I once I saw a 20-foot-long, brick-walled raised bed flanking a swimming pool. The bed faced south and was filled with epidendrums in full bloom growing in sandy top soil.

This garden was near the beach.