Epidendrum flexuosum

Epidendrum flexuosum 

Common Name: Bent Raceme Epidendrum
Native to: Native from Belize to Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana. Epidendrum flexuosum grows below 1000 meters in hot, humid tropical forests.
Plant Size: Large. Epidendrum flexuosum has upright reed-type stems that have many tongue-shaped leaves that are light green in color.
Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Flower Description: The flowers of Epidendrum flexuosum are fairly small and borne on a simple or branched flower stem that has many tightly clustered flowers near the tip. Flowers bloom over a long period of time.
Bloom Season: Blooms several times per year.
Growing Temperature: Warm
Additional Information: Epidendrum flexuosum is large and mature plants can become impressive specimens. Grow in a well-drained pot that has a free-draining potting mix.
Synonyms: Epidendrum buenavistae, Epidendrum imetrophyllum, Epidendrum lorifolium, Epidendrum palpigerum

Epidendrum cristatum - Comb Epidendrum

Epidendrum cristatum

Epidendrum cristatum

Common Name: Comb Epidendrum
Native to: Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Brazil and other parts of northern South America, Trinidad. Epidendrum cristatum grows on trees in tropical rain forests and piney woods below 2000 meters in elevation. Occasionally, Epidendrum cristatum grows as a terrestrial orchid on rocky slopes with good drainage. The species is widespread and adapts to many environments.
Plant Size: Large. Epidendrum cristatum produces tall, slender, leafy reed-like stems that grow to 36 inches (1 m) in height.
Flower Size: 2 inches (5 cm)
Flower Description: Flowers are produced on a 24 inch (60 cm) long, arching flower stem. Many large, fragrant flowers are produced and all the flowers open about the same time.
Bloom Season: Late Winter to Summer
Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool
Additional Information: Epidendrum cristatum is a vigorous grower and adapts easily to cultivation. Grow mounted on a substantial tree branch in warm gardens or grow in large, well-drained pots in a coarse, open growing media. This species need even, regular water and applications of liquid fertilizer throughout the year.
Synonyms: Epidendrum alexandri, Epidendrum bathyschistum, Epidendrum calliferum, Epidendrum hexadactylum, Epidendrum longovarium, Epidendrum millei, Epidendrum rantierium, Epidendrum tigrinum, Epidendrum validum

Epidendrum acunae - Acuna's Epidendrum

Epidendrum acunae

Common Name: Acuna's Epidendrum

Native to: Florida, Cuba, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Epidendrum acunae is possibly extinct in Florida. In Mexico it is found in the Mexican states of Chiapas and Vera Cruz. This species prefers low-elevation tropical rainforest habitats from sea level to 1000 meters near water.

Plant Size: Large. Epidendrum acunae grows on trees and has a pendant or hanging habit. Stems are cane-like and have many leaves.

Flower Size: 1.5 inches (4 cm)

Flower Description: The flowers of Epidendrum acunae are produced on a short flower stem that grows an the top of the cane. Each growth produces one or two flowers.

Bloom Season: Summer

Growing Temperature: Intermediate to Warm

Additional Information: This species has a dramatic, pendant habit and needs to be mounted on a large cork or wood mount. Provide warmth and humidity and even watering and fertilizer. Plants are large and can become impressive specimens. Epidendrum acunae was named in honor of a prominent Cuban engineer and orchid collector from the early 20th century.

Synonyms: Spathiger roigii

Encyclia nematocaulon

Encyclia nematocaulon

Common Name: Thread-Stemmed Encyclia

Native to: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Cuba. It grows on scrub vegetation and trees in tropical deciduous forests below 200 meters in elevation.

Plant Size: Small to Medium. The tightly-clustered pseudobulbs have only one leaf.

Flower Size: 1.25 inches (3 cm)

Flower Description: Flowers of Encyclia nematocaulon are produced on the previous season's growth on branched inflorescence. Up to 14 flowers bloom at once and they are displayed well above the leaves.

Bloom Season: Late Spring

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: Provide warm growing conditions and grow mounted on tree fern or cork bark mounts.

Synonyms: Encyclia purpusii; Encyclia xipheres; Epidendrum nematocaulon ; Epidendrum xipheres; Epidendrum yucatanense

Encyclia candollei

Encyclia candollei

Common Name: Candole's Encyclia

Native to: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala. Encyclia candollei grows on oak trees in mountainous forests between 500 and 1500 meters in elevation.

Plant Size: Medium to large. The tightly clustered round pseudobulbs have two or three oblong, tongue-shaped leaves.

Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Flower Description: Mature pseudobulbs of Encyclia candollei produce a tall flower stem that cares between 2 and 8 flowers on a 36 inch (1 m) stem. The flowers are displayed high above the leaves and have a mild fragrance.

Bloom Season: Spring to Summer

Growing Temperature: Intermediate

Additional Information: Grow this species mounted on cork bark, tree fern, or driftwood. Cattleya orchid conditions are acceptable. Allow plants to dry between waterings and reduce water during the winter months to encourage dormancy and prevent root rot.

Synonyms: Encyclia flabellata; Encyclia laxa; Epidendrum candollei; Epidendrum cepiforme; Epidendrum flabellatum; Epidendrum laxum

Encyclia bractescens

Encyclia bractescens

Common Name: Bractescent Encyclia Orchid

Native to: Mexico, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. Encyclia bractescens grows on trees in humid tropical forests up to 1200 meters in elevation.

Plant Size: Small. The pseudobulbs are tightly clustered and have two shiny, tongue-shaped leaves.

Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Flower Description: Flowers are produced on a simple or lightly branched inflorescence that grows to 15 inches (38 cm) in height. The flowers are long-lasting and fragrant.

Bloom Season: Late Winter to Early Spring.

Growing Temperature: Warm to Intermediate.

Additional Information: Encyclia bractescens is easy to grow and rewarding for the hobbyist. Grow under standard cattleya orchid temperatures or warmer. They can grow well in pots with coarse fir bark or mounted on cork or tree fern slabs. Let them dry out between waterings.

Synonyms: Encyclia acicularis; Epidendrum aciculare; Epidendrum bractescens; Epidendrum esculentum; Epidendrum linearifolium

Encyclia ambigua

Encyclia ambigua

Common Name: Ambiguous Encyclia Orchid

Native to: Mexico and Central America. Encyclia ambigua is found growing in southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. It grows in open forests from 950 to 1875 meters in elevation. They grow on trees and occasionally on rocks.
Plant Size: Medium to Large. The oval pseudobulbs are clustered and produce two to to three tongue-shaped leaves.

Flower Size: 1.75 inches (4.5 cm)

Flower Description: The flowers of Encyclia ambigua are similar to Encyclia alata. The flower stem is branched and can reach 5 feet (150 cm). Flowers are fragrant and smell or honey or beeswax.

Bloom Season: Late Spring to Summer.

Growing Temperature: Intermediate to Warm.

Additional Information: Encyclia ambigua is another tall-flowered species from Central America. Grow mounted on cork bark or tree fern or in a pot with adequate drainage. Provide typical Cattleya conditions with average light and humidity. A large specimen becomes a great conversation piece.

Synonyms: Encyclia trachychila; Epidendrum alatum; Epidendrum ambiguum; Epidendrum trachychilum

Encyclia amanda

Encyclia amanda

Common Name: Lovely Encyclia Orchid

Native to: Native to Belize to Panama. Also, it has been reported growing wild in the Mexican states of Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Quintana Roo. Encyclia amanda grows at low elevation (below 1000 meters) in hot, tropical forests.

Plant Size: Small to Medium. Encyclia amanda has rough, pear-shaped pseudobulbs and one or two broad, tongue-shaped leaves.

Flower Size: Small. 0.5 to 0.75 inches (1.25 to 2 cm)

Flower Description: Flowers are small and attractive and resemble Encyclia chloroleuca. The flower spike emerges from maturing or mature pseudobulbs and bears 4 or 5 flowers.
Bloom Season: Winter

Growing Temperature: Intermediate.

Additional Information: This species may be a synonym for Encyclia chloroleuca. Grow mounted on cork bark or in a slatted basket. Clay or plastic pots may work if the drainage is good and they do not hold too much moisture. Grow under standard Cattleya orchid conditions.

Synonyms: Epidendrum amandum

Rhyncholaelia digbyana

Rhyncholaelia digbyana

Common Name: Digby's Beaked Laelia

Native To: Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras. Rhyncholaelia digbyana is found growing in sunny locations on the Yucatan peninsula. They grow in tangles of brush and are exposed to a lot of sun and air circulation. One author reports that they can be seen growing on the side of the road on the way to Chichen Itza. It has been reported that they are found growing on bushes and among thorny acacia plants in dry areas of Central America.

Plant Size: Medium. Rhyncholaelia digbyana resembles a medium-sized unifoliate Cattleya. The pseudobulbs are stiff and dark green and the foliage is dark green with silver flushes. Sometimes the undersides of the leaves and pseudobulbs are flushed with maroon.

Flower Size: 7 inches (17 cm)

Flower Description: The large flowers are apple green to a greenish cream in color. The lip is impressively frilly and quite distinctive. Rhyncholaelia digbyana var. fimbripetala has frilly petals in addition to the lip. Sometimes there is a picote edge on the lip and a magenta flush on the back side of petals. The plants are quite fragrant at night. Turning on the light will cause the plant to temporarily stop perfume production until darkness commences again. The plant usually produces a single flower from a large sheath. Sometimes two flowers are produced, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

Bloom Season: May to August

Growing Temperature: Intermediate, Warm

Additional Information: Rhyncholaelia digbyana needs bright light, intermediate growing temperatures and good air circulation. Although it may be grown successfuly in well drained pots, the plants grow best when mounted on cork or grown in slatted wood or plastic baskets. Rhyncholaelia digbyana is slow to recover from repotting or other tramatic disturbances and may take a year or more to begin new growth. Let the plant dry out between watering to prevent rotting.

Rhyncholaleia digbyana is frequently used to create complex Cattleya hybrids where it is used to bring its fantastic frilly lip to the genetic mix. Sometimes it is used to add a picote edge to the lip in hybrids with other genera. The color of the other parent is dominant in hybrids. The first successful hybrid with this species was flowered in 1889 between Rhyncholaelia digbyana and Cattleya mossiae and was called BC. digbyano-mossiae.

Synonyms: Bletia digbiyana; Brassavola digbyana; Brassavola digbyana var. fimbripetala; Cattleya digbyana; Laelia digbyana; Laelia digbyana var. fimbripetala; Rhyncholaelia digbyanan f. fimbripetala