Sympodial Orchids: Cattleya and Brassavola

A sympodial orchid grows outward along the surface of the growing medium; its stem, called a "rhizome", is often horizontal. New shoots originate from buds on the rhizome and send out their own roots. The flower spikes of sympodial orchid like our brassavola orchids may originate from the base of the plant, usually from the base of a recently matured pseudobulb or from between the leaves at the top.

"Sympodial", latin for "may footed", describes the spreading growth habit of orchids in this classification. Cattleya orchids and brassavola orchids are familiar examples of sympodial orchids. In nature, cattleya orchids are often seen growing on the rough bark of a tree with rhizomes and pseudobulbs spreading outward and upward. When potted, the same cattleyas will move across the surface of the growing medium and, unless repotted into large container, will grow over the edge and down the side of the pot or many simply dangle in the air.

Sympodial orchids include species with pseudobulbs that store moisture to sustain the through normal periods of drought but also ones without such moisture reservoirs which are all suited to periods of extreme drought. With a few exceptions, sympodial orchids tend by nature to be better adapted to moisture extremes, especially dryness, than monopodials. However, even where these are concerned, permitting extreme dryness for too long can result in deeply shriveled pseudobulbs and in withered leaves that they become all equipped to take up moisture when they are watered or rained upon. Therefore, it pays not to go overboard.

Besides the ever-popular cattleya orchid, one of the other sympodial orchids frecuently cultivated include our brassavola orchid.