Epidendron orchid - what do I plant it in?

I just bought an old beat up epidendron orchid at a garage sale that needed to be repotted and given a little TLC - I started to plant it in medium orchid bark, but then i realized it had originally been planted in soil, what am i supposed to plant it in - soil or bark?

thanks
Mitchc

Mitch I'm no orchid expert but I'm sure that it shouldn't be potted in soil. Definitely a mix like orchid bark, peat moss, and perlite (Or tree fern fiber if you can find such a thing..).

Aren't epidendrums the tough Mexican orchids that people plant in just about anything and fertilize like crazy? Of course I still don't think you can go wrong with the old tropical standby mix of equal parts of peat moss, orchid bark, and perlite. I don't know which fertilizer is best.

Thanks Rich,
I've heard conflicting opinions about this particular orchid, I know I've seen it growing well in the ground in a few places, but I don't know what they did to the soil. I'll let you know what I find out.

Hi Mitch,
I grow my Epis in fir bark and perlite. I fertilize with 1/4 strength Orchid Fertilizer once a month. They grow in a south facing area under about 50% shade cloth.
Just put a keiki (rooted pup) in the ground to see what it would do.
Good luck,
Salvialady

www.clanorchids.com/culture/epicult.html

Mitch
I am not a expert on orchids either, but my guess is that you need a decent potting soil with good drainage. The above link does give some ideas for culture in general.
Good luck
Kate

Epis grow in the ground, so they are happy in potting soil. The air roots are just that, and will grow on top of the pot, in the air. There used to be a wonderful stand of epis at the San Diego Zoo, growing in the earth by a waterfall, in the shade, viewable from Arthur's, the upscale-ish restaurant in the middle of the Zoo. But I've also seen them deliriously happy in pots, in the sun, potbound, and watered seldom. So I'd say experiment, feed them, do not force the roots into the earth. If epis grow in the blazing sun, they will be shorter. If grown in the shade, they will be lankier.

but they do need earth around their roots, not orchid bark chunks.