Epiphytic Orchids
The flowers from this group of orchids is what most people visualize
when they think of orchids. An epiphyte is nothing more than a plant
which grows attached to another living plant. They are not parasites
and draw no nutrition from the host. Since they require no actual soil
for their root system the hobbyist can easily mount and grow this group
of orchids on pieces of wood, cork or other porous material.
This group produces some of the most beautiful and fragrant flowers of all the orchid species. There are literally thousands of naturally occuring species and thousands more hybrids created by growers and hobbyists. Here we offer you a selection of some of the smaller hard to find true species which will produce the same flowers you would see them in their natural habitat. Browse through our Orchid selections below and click on any image to see a close up.
Bulbophyllum lepidum
An unusual orchid which forms multiple dark red ‘slipper-like’ flowers with lips that move with a breeze.
This is a small epiphytic species with 3-4 inch leaves.
Native to Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia to Borneo and the Philippines.
Warm growing. Spring and Summer blooming.
Sold as a blooming size plant mounted and well established on a piece of cork bark.
The plant is blooming age but not shipped in flower.
Item # TP-OBLEP3 Status: In Stock Price: $20.00 ea.
Dendrobium loddigesii
This species is a very hardy native of Laos, southwestern China, and Hong Kong.
It typically grows at elevations of 1300ft - 4900 ft.
In nature, Dendrobium loddigesii grows as both an epiphyte and lithophyte.
Since it comes from higher elevations it can tolerate a wide range of temperatures from 86F down to 40F.
It needs a somewhat dry rest period during winter in order to bloom in the springtime.
The flowers are long lasting and fragrant.
You can see some interesting photos of specimens in full bloom at the Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia
here and
here(links will open in a new window).
Sold as a blooming size plant mounted and well established on a piece of cork bark.
The plant is blooming age but not shipped in flower.
Item # TP-LODIG3 Status: In Stock Price: $20.00 ea.
Paphinia cristata
Paphinia cristata is an epiphytic species found only in northern South
America, specifically Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French
Guiana. It is a medium sized orchid growing 7-8 inches tall and about
10 inches wide. The plant produces somewhat flattened psuedobulbs from
which the lance shaped leaves emerge.
The flowers are rather large and showy for the size of the plant and can be quite variable from plant to plant ranging from red to deep pink. (Flower photo used with permission and the under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License) Since the flowers grow on a short 4 inch pendant stem it is best to grow this plant in either a small hanging pot or mounted on a small tree fern panel with a generous amount of sphagnum moss for the root zone. Grows best in warm humid conditions with the roots kept moist during the growing season. It should be kept a bit drier during winter but should not dry out completely at any time.
Sold as a mature blooming sized plant in a 3 inch pot. These plants have bloomed at least once already but are not shipped with blooms. Sorry, no choice of flower color at this time.
Item # PAPH-CRIS Status: In Stock Price: $12.00 ea.
Phalaenopsis stuartiana
This is an epiphytic species found only in the Philippine Islands. It
is not unusual for very mature plants to produce over a hundred flowers
at a time. Phalaenopsis makes a great beginner orchid since they are easy
to care for and tend to flower reliably. This particular species has attractive
dark green foliage with silvery and light green markings. The undersides
of the leaves are deep purple. The leaves grow to about 12 inches long
and the plant itself will get to about 5 inches tall. It produces a spike
with several long lasting 2 inch fragrant white flowers with cinammon
red markings. (See some photos at
The Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia here and dustindorton.com
here. Links will open in a new window.)
Care of Phalaenopsis is fairly simple. They can be grown either potted in sphagnum or a loose bark mix. They can also be mounted on cork bark or driftwood. They prefer low light to medium light. Grown indoors they do very well under fluorescent lighting or near a north facing window. They also make great specimens for medium to large terrariums. Temperatures should be between 85 F and 60 F. Humidity should be kept at 60% -75%. Placing the pot on a shallow tray containing pebbles or marbles and water will help maintain the proper humidity. The roots should kept moist but not soggy wet. Sold as a well established, blooming size plant in a 4 inch pot. Not shipped in flower.
Item # PHAL-STU Status: Sold Out Price: $18.00 ea.
Phalaenopsis schilleriana
This is another epiphytic species found only in the Philippine Islands
which is very similar to Phalaenopsis stuartiana. Older mature plants
also produce very large numbers of flowers. Leaf marking are very similar
to P. stuartiana. It produces a spike with several long lasting 3 inch
fragrant pink flowers. (See some photos at The
Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia here and dustindorton.com
here. Links will open in a new window.) Care and culture of this species
is identical to Phalaenopsis stuartiana above. Sold as a well established,
blooming size plant in a 4 inch pot. Not shipped in flower.
Item # PHAL-SCHIL Status: In Stock Price: $18.00 ea.
Phalaenopsis equestris
Equestris is another epiphytic Phalaenopsis species found throughout the Philippine Islands and into Taiwan.
Fleshy green elliptic leaves grow 5 to 7 inches long.
It produces a 12 inch spike with several long lasting 1 inch slightly fragrant deep pink flowers. Flower color can be variable and sometimes yellow or white flowers can appear.
Care and culture of this species is similar to Phalaenopsis stuartiana above.
Sold as a well established, blooming size plant in a 4 inch pot. Not shipped in flower.
Item # PHAL-EQST Status:Sold Out Price:
Vanilla planifolia (Vanilla Orchid)
Native to Florida, the West Indies, Central America and Northern South America.
A warm to hot growing epiphytic vine with fleshy leaves.
Produces fragrant, short-lived flowers whose seedpods are used to produce Vanilla essence.
Flowers are up to 2.5" in diameter. Easy to grow but can be difficult to flower in a terrarium.
Sold as a well started, rooted plant in a 3" pot.
Item # TP-OVAN3 Status: Out of Stock Price:
Vanilla planifolia (Variegated Vanilla Orchid)
This is a beautiful variegated form of Vanilla planifolia.
The flower and seedpod are identical to the normal variety.
Produces fragrant, short-lived flowers whose seedpods are used to produce Vanilla essence.
Flowers are up to 2.5" in diameter.Easy to grow but can be difficult to flower in a terrarium.
Sold as a well started, rooted plant in a 3" pot.
Item # TP-OVANVAR3 Status: In Stock Price:$12.00
