Color similarities: Lobelia laxiflora and Epidendrum obrienianum
- To: m*@ucdavis.edu
- Subject: Color similarities: Lobelia laxiflora and Epidendrum obrienianum
- From: d* f*
- Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2001 16:02:01 -0800 (PST)
I was doing some weeding around these two plants,
which happen to be in bloom simultaneously, and
noticed that the red and orange-yellow of both their
flowers are identical, an exact match! I wish they
were identical in ease of culture as well, as I only
do well with the Reed Stem Orchids in the warmer
months, and find that without feeding them, they don't
grow like weeds.
The Lobelia laxiflora/Mexican lobelia, on the other
hand, would probably survive a nuclear war; it doesn't
need watering,feeding, cutting back, protection from
frosts, etc. to do its thing here in California, and
will bloom sporadically almost year round in either
sun or shade. I know that the Lobelia should be
attractive to hummingbirds, but they don't seem to
interested in them in my garden. I wouldn't plant it
where it can take over, as it spreads by underground
rhizomes rather vigorously, and can overwhelm neighbor
plantings. (If you have seen it growing 8 feet tall
up into a cyclone fence with no summer water-you will
know what I mean). It could even be used as a clipped
low hedge at 12 to 18 inches in height if desired, it
grows that thickly!
Both the Epidendrum and Lobelia are native to
southern Mexico, and of similar cloudforest to
seasonally winter dry subtropical forest habitat. The
Epidendrum can be just as long blooming if protected
from frost and given a warm spot which doesn't get too
wet in winter, and would probably do better in my
garden if I remembered that it gets hot, steamy and
wet in habitat in the summer. The red and/or orange
forms of Epidendrum do very well for me outdoors if
protected from frost, and in Harland Hand's garden in
El Cerrito, all the various colors thrive, including
purple, white and yellows, and the plantings adjacent
rock or concrete probably give them that extra degree
of reradiated heat at night to get them to grow so
vigorously, or maybe it was Harland's use of Supersoil
as soil mix throughout the garden. It amazes me that
in Harland's garden, even years later after he had
passed away, you could easily dig down 6 inches and
not hit clay. An impossibility in my own garden, even
where I have amended heavily.(Where does all that
humus go to so quickly?)
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