Epidendrum Parkinsonianum

If you’re looking for a truly special orchid that combines striking looks with a powerful fragrance, you’ve found it. The Epidendrum parkinsonianum is an exotic species that captures the heart of any collector.

This orchid, often called the “Parkinson’s Epidendrum,” is known for its unique, pendant growth and stunning, star-shaped flowers. Its scent is a real highlight, filling a room with a sweet, citrusy perfume in the evening. Let’s look at how you can successfully grow this beautiful plant in your own home.

This orchid is native to the cloud forests of Mexico and Central America. It grows in a unique way, with long, hanging stems (called canes) that can reach several feet in length. The flowers are large, waxy, and usually pure white or a pale greenish-cream. They are famous for their strong, delightful fragrance that becomes most potent at night.

Why Choose This Orchid for Your Collection?

There are several reasons why this species is so sought after. First, its growth habit is dramatic and different from many common orchids, making it a fantastic conversation piece. Second, the fragrance is truly exceptional—it’s one of the best in the orchid world. Finally, while it has specific needs, its care is straightforward once you understand what it requires.

Spectacular Fragrance: Its evening perfume is strong and sweet, often compared to citrus or gardenias.
Unique Form: Its pendant, reed-like canes create a beautiful cascading effect when mounted or placed in a hanging basket.
Long-Lasting Blooms: Each flower can last for weeks, and a well-grown plant can produce multiple blooms over time.

Ideal Growing Conditions

To keep your Epidendrum parkinsonianum healthy and encourage blooming, you need to mimic its natural habitat as closely as possible. This means paying close attention to light, temperature, and humidity.

Light Requirements

This orchid prefers bright, filtered light. Think of the dappled sunlight it would receive under the canopy of tall trees in a forest.

Provide bright, indirect light. An east-facing window is often perfect.
It can tolerate some gentle morning sun, but avoid harsh afternoon direct sunlight, which can scorch its leaves.
If the leaves turn a deep, dark green, it might need more light. A yellowish color can indicate too much direct sun.

Temperature & Humidity

As a high-altitude plant, it enjoys cool to intermediate temperatures and appreciates a significant drop at night. This temperature swing is crucial for triggering flower spikes.

Daytime: Aim for 70-80°F (21-27°C).
Nighttime: A drop to 50-60°F (10-15°C) is ideal, especially in the fall.
Humidity: Try to maintain 50-70% humidity. Using a humidity tray or a room humidifier works well. Good air movement is essential to prevent disease.

Planting and Potting Media

Due to its hanging growth, Epidendrum parkinsonianum is often best grown mounted on a slab of cork or tree fern. This allows its canes to dangle naturally and prevents moisture from sitting in the crown, which can cause rot.

Choose a Mount: A large slab of cork bark or a branch is ideal. Soak the mount before use.
Position the Plant: Place the orchid on the mount so its canes can hang downward. Pad the roots with a small amount of moisture-retentive material like sphagnum moss.
Secure It: Use fishing line or non-copper wire to gently but securely attach the plant to the mount. The roots will eventually cling to the surface.

If you prefer a pot, use a very open, fast-draining mix. A basket lined with coconut fiber and filled with large chunks of bark and perlite can also work well. Repotting is rarely needed if mounted; for potted plants, only repot when the media breaks down, every 2-3 years.

Watering and Feeding Schedule

Watering is the part where most new growers make mistakes. This orchid likes to dry out somewhat between waterings but not stay bone dry for extended periods.

Mounted Plants: Water daily or every other day in warm weather, less in cool, cloudy periods. The goal is to let it dry quickly after watering.
Potted Plants: Water thoroughly when the media is nearly dry. Always ensure excellent drainage.
Fertilizing: Feed with a balanced orchid fertilizer (like 20-20-20) at 1/4 strength weekly during the active growing season. You can reduce feeding in the winter months when growth slows.

A good rule is to water in the morning so the plant dries by nightfall. This helps prevent bacterial and fungal issues, which can be a problem if the plant stays wet to long.

Encouraging Blooms and Solving Problems

The key to getting your Epidendrum parkinsonianum to flower is the combination of bright light and that cool nighttime temperature drop. If your plant is healthy but not blooming, check these two factors first.

Common Issues and Fixes

No Flowers: Usually due to insufficient light or lack of a nighttime temperature drop. Try moving it to a brighter location and ensuring it gets cooler nights.
Leaf Spot or Rot: Caused by water sitting in the leaf joints or poor air circulation. Improve airflow and water earlier in the day so it dries faster.
Shriveled Canes: Often a sign of underwatering or root loss. Check the root system health and adjust your watering frequency.
Pests: Watch for scale or mealybugs. Treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil, applied carefully according to the instructions.

Propagation Tips

You can propagate this orchid by division when it becomes a large, multi-caned clump. The best time to do this is in the spring, just as new growth begins.

Carefully remove the plant from its mount or pot.
Identify a section with at least 3-4 healthy canes and its own set of roots.
Using a sterile cutting tool, cut through the rhizome to separate the division.
Dust the cuts with cinnamon or a fungicide to prevent infection.
Pot or mount the new division separately and care for it as you would a mature plant, keeping it slightly more humid until new root growth is evident.

FAQ About Epidendrum Parkinsonianum

How often does Epidendrum parkinsonianum bloom?
A mature, healthy plant typically blooms once a year, usually in late spring or summer. The flowers are long-lasting, often remaining in good condition for several weeks.

Is this orchid good for beginners?
It’s intermediate in difficulty. A beginner who is diligent about researching its needs can succeed, but it’s less forgiving than a Phalaenopsis. Understanding its need for high humidity and cool nights is the biggest hurdle.

Can I grow Epidendrum parkinsonianum indoors?
Yes, absolutely. A bright bathroom with a window can provide ideal humidity and light. Otherwise, any bright room with good air flow and the use of a humidity tray can work perfectly.

Why are the leaves on my orchid turning yellow?
A few yellowing older leaves is normal. However, several yellow leaves can indicate overwatering, too much direct sun, or a need for fertilizer. Check your growing conditions and adjust accordingly.

How strong is the fragrance?
It is quite strong, especially in the evening. A single blooming plant can easily perfume an entire room. The scent is most often described as sweet and citrus-like, which is very pleasant and not overpowering.

Growing the Epidendrum parkinsonianum is a rewarding experience for any orchid enthusiast. Its elegant, cascading form and intoxicating fragrance make the extra care it requires well worth the effort. By providing the right balance of light, temperature, and moisture, you can enjoy this exotic treasure for many years to come, watching it thrive and bloom in your own living space.