Orchid Of The Month

April 2024

Epicattleya Veitchii
(Epidendrum radicans x Cattleya coccinea)
by Dave Veach

This month I’m going to introduce you to an orchid that is almost 134 years old. ‘How can that be?’ you say. I am here to tell you how it is that I acquired a plant this old and that it is still going strong to this day.


I am, of course, talking about Epicattleya (Epiphronitis) Veitchii. This is a primary hybrid that was a cross of Epidendrum radicans and Sophronitis (now Cattleya) coccinea (a synonym of grandiflora). This hybrid was created in 1890 by the Veitch Nurseries and that original plant is still alive today. In fact, the plant I have is a piece of the original. That makes this plant very old indeed.

I acquired my Epicattleya Veitchii in 2015 from Alan Koch out at Gold Country Orchids. Alan told me the story of this plant including the fact that it is from a piece of the original. Given that it was created by someone in a distant branch of my family and that it has some historical significance, I couldn't pass it up.

Epicattleya Veitchii grows much like an Epidendrum. It sends out roots from pretty much any node on the plant, so it is easy to take a piece off and start a new one. As you can see, the plant tends to grow in all directions.

Like most Epidendrums, it doesn’t have pseudobulbs, so it has to store water in the canes and leaves. Given that characteristic, it tends to like to be kept moist. When mounted, it requires frequent watering. You could probably water it daily most of the year.

The Cattleya coccinea parent helps to reduce the size of the plant and makes the flowers more red than orange. The flowers themselves are a bright red with a yellow lip with red spots.

Here is the culture information for this orchid:

Temperature 30 degrees F minimum temperature, 90 degrees F max
Light Bright, shaded light south-east or south-west exposure
Water Water just before it dries out, likes to be moist
Humidity 70% or greater
Fertilizer Monthly or bi-weekly year round
Potting Mounted or in well-draining media. Repot every couple of years.

Most people grow it in pots, but I grow mine in a wooden basket and put a bit of floral wire across the front to keep it from falling out.

One of the nicest things about Epicattleya Veitchii is that it can bloom pretty much year-round. Given a little care, keeping it fairly moist, fertilizing and providing bright light, it will provide you with a great display of flowers for a very long time and would be a great addition to any collection.