Succulent orchids...

[Mandrew968]

Very happy with my Eulophia petersiana. I have wanted one forever and finally got one a while back. Wasn't sure how it would do, as ground orchids can be some of the most difficult orchids to grow, due to symbiotic mycorizal relationships... well it's more than doubled so now I am just waiting for it to bloom.

[Mandrew968]

Oeceoclades calcarata was another first attempt and I have had very similar success as with my Eulophia. These two have me thinking about looking into more species of succulent orchids. Anyone have any experience with such?

[Mandrew968]

Training this Euphorbia to be a diaphoranthema hub, down the road. 

[Tracy]

On 8/31/2022 at 2:09 PM, Mandrew968 said:

Oeceoclades calcarata was another first attempt and I have had very similar success as with my Eulophia. These two have me thinking about looking into more species of succulent orchids. Anyone have any experience with such?

I wasn't familiar with the term "succulent orchids" until I looked it up after you mentioned it.  The first site I came across identified Dendrobium speciosum as the "most notable and well known".  So yes, I guess I do have some experience growing "succulent orchids" if D speciosum and it's variants fit this category.  I only have one in the ground, the rest reside in pots.

Dendrobium speciosum ssp pendunculatum

Dendrobium speciosum ssp curvicaule

Dendrobium jonesii

[Mandrew968]

Nice!. Fragrant too right? Australian if I remember correctly...

[epiphyte]

If we define a succulent as a CAM plant, then many (most?) orchids are succulent.  Actually the orchid family has more succulent species than any other family.  Some even grow on cactus.  

I really like the canaliculatas... Dendrobium canaliculata, Cymbidium canaliculata and Tetramicra canaliculata.  Generally I prefer their hybrids though.  Same goes for the rest, such as Brassavola nodosa.  I want every nodosa hybrid in the world.  

Interestingly there are hybrids between Eulophias, Cymbidiums, Grammatophyllums and Ansellia.  Can't vouch for any since I've never grown any but in theory they are really neat.  Ansellia is actually the only orchid to grow epiphytically in two African countries... Botswana and Namibia if I recall correctly.  It sometimes grows on Baobab trees.  

Hybridization greatly facilitates the colonization of less hospitable habitats.  

[Tracy]

On 9/2/2022 at 7:28 AM, Mandrew968 said:

Nice!. Fragrant too right? Australian if I remember correctly...

Yes on both questions. 

[BigFrond]

On 9/2/2022 at 7:28 AM, Mandrew968 said:

Nice!. Fragrant too right? Australian if I remember correctly...

I have this variety.  It grows pretty fast.  Yes, it is quite fragrant.

[Silas_Sancona]

The Genus Eulophia is actually quite varied containing something like 200 species. A recent import from East Asia, Eulophia graminea ( Chinese Crown Orchid ) is actually a well established " weed " in FL, and turning up in other parts of the country, including an iNat observation in Phoenix. Spreads around via wood mulch.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/427629-Eulophia-graminea

Other Eulophia species from S. and East Africa ..and parts of the Middle East would probably be great horticultural subjects, if they were more widely available / available at all. 

Another, related genus, Orthochilus ( Subtribe Eulophiinae ) would be another interesting, " succulent " group of terrestrial Orchids from Africa to look at. One species, O. ecristatus grows in FL., Cuba, and parts of the Southeastern U.S. but is listed as endangered. 

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/931913-Orthochilus-ecristatus

My personal favorite Eulophia sp. are these:    E. petersii, graminea, and the one or two other sp. i've seen around are just the tip of the ice burg.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/571054-Eulophia-tuberculata

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/140704-Eulophia-speciosa

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/585549-Eulophia-zeyheriana

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/415244-Eulophia-hians

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/577769-Eulophia-parviflora

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/585544-Eulophia-ovalis

[hbernstein]

The difficulty in finding information about them and sourcing plants is that virtually all orchid fanciers are interested in more water-loving epiphytes or temperate-zone terrestrials. 

Bromeliad growers are similar; not interested in xerophytes and bromes that resemble agaves!

Growers of these plants, for the most part, skulk on the fringes of the succulent hobby.

Ant plants are another specialist group.