Epidendrum excisum

Epidendrum excisum

Common Name: Cut Epidendrum
Native to: Venezuela south to Bolivia. Epidendrum excisum grows on trees or rocks on brushy slopes between 1800 and 4150 meters in elevation.
Plant Size: Large. Epidendrum excisum has upright, leafy reed-like stems.
Flower Size: 1 inch (3 cm)
Flower Description: Lots of flowers are produced on an eleven inch long (28 cm) branched flower stem that develops on mature stems.
Bloom Season: Blooms anytime of the year.
Growing Temperature: Cool
Additional Information: Epidendrum excisum is another large, reed-stem species that prefers cool, moist growing conditions. Grow mounted on cork bark or tree fern or grow in a pot with excellent drainage. Provide water and fertilizer throughout the year. Attractive.
Synonyms: Epidendrum excisum var. grandiflorum

Encyclia yauaperyensis

Encyclia yauaperyensis

Common Name: Yauapery Encyclia Orchid

Native to: Brazil and Bolivia. Encyclia yauaperyensis is found growing on trees in the proximity of the Brazilian provence of Yauapery. It is part of the Alto Amazonas region of Brazil.

Plant Size: Medium. The plant has pear-shaped or conical pseudobulbs and two upright linear, sword-shaped leaves.

Flower Size: About 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Flower Description: The petals and sepals of Encyclia yauaperyensis are olive-green in color with washes of yellow. The lip is creamy with red or magenta spots and veins.

Bloom Season: Unknown.

Growing Temperature: Warm to Intermediate.

Additional Information: This species is very rare and is seldom grown in collections today. Grow like other members of the genus mounted on cork bark slabs or in slatted baskets. Provide standard Cattleya growing conditions with a little more humidity.

Synonyms: Epidendrum yauaperyense

Encyclia steinbachii - Steinbach's Encyclia

Encyclia steinbachii

Common Name: Steinbach's Encyclia

Native to: Bolivia. Encyclia steinbachii is the southernmost member of the genus. It is found growing in forests around 450 meters in elevation near Buenavista, Bolivia.

Plant Size: Medium. The pseudobulbs of Encyclia steinbachii are upright and narrow and grow to 1.8 cm. Each growth produces two or three leaves.

Flower Size: 1.5 inches (3.6 cm)

Flower Description: Encyclia steinbachii reportedly produces large yellowish-green petals and sepals and white lips. The lip has distinctive purple or magenta markings. Flowers are produced on long, arching panicles that have many flowers.

Bloom Season: Summer

Growing Temperature: Intermediate.

Additional Information: Grow Encyclia steinbachii mounted on cork or driftwood mounts or in slatted baskets. The species is very uncommon in cultivation but it has been grown successfully by Fred Fuchs in south Florida.

Synonyms: Encyclia buchtienii

Encyclia pflanzii

Encyclia pflanzii

Common Name: None

Native to: Bolivia. Encyclia pflanzii grows on trees between 850 and 1200 meters in elevation.

Plant Size: Medium

Flower Size: Small

Flower Description: Unknown?

Bloom Season: Summer?

Growing Temperature: Cool

Additional Information: Like other members of the genus, grow mounted on cork bark or in a slatted basket for best results. This species is uncommon in cultivation.

Synonyms: Encyclia thrombodes; Epidendrum thrombodes

Encyclia cyperifolia

Encyclia cyperifolia

Common Name: Sword-leafed Encyclia

Native to: Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador

Plant Size: Medium.

Flower Size: 2.5 inches (6 cm)

Flower Description: Encyclia cyperifolia has beautiful, distinctive flowers that are a pleasing rosy-lilac with streaks of yellow. The lip is rose and yellow. The inflorescence is branched and grows to the same height as the foliage.

Bloom Season: Summer to Fall

Growing Temperature: Intermediate to Warm

Additional Information: Encyclia cyperifolia has unique, colorful flowers and is a very attractive addition to an orchid collection. Grow mounted on bark or tree fern plaques. Provide bright light, humidity and warmth. Provide lots of water and water-soluble fertilizer during periods of active growth and reduce watering during cooler weather.

Synonyms: Bletia ensiformis, Epidendrum microtos var. grandiflorum, Encyclia microtos var. grandiflora, Epidendrum cyperifolium, Encyclia ensiformis, Epidendrum ensiforme

Encyclia angustiloba

Encyclia angustiloba

Native to: Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru. Encyclia angustiloba is native the Andes in Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru. It grows in dry thorn forests where it is sometimes found growing on cactus.
Plant Size: Medium. The leaves are narrow and grow to 10 inches (25 cm) in length. Plants that are exposed to bright sun take on a reddish coloration. Each pseudobulb has one or two leaves.
Flower Size: Small.

Flower Description: The attractive panicle is upright, branched, and has the flowers clustered at the tip. The petals and sepals are reddish-brown and the lip is white which contrasts nicely with the petals.

Bloom Season: Fall (October in Brazil)

Growing Temperature: Intermediate to Warm

Additional Information: Provide Encyclia angustiloba with bright light and standard Cattleya growing conditions. Grow mounted or in slatted baskets. Keep on the dry side.
Synonyms: Encyclia mapiriensis, Epidendrum strobelii, Epidendrum angustilobum, Epidendrum guentherianum, Encyclia mapiriensis

Encyclia amicta

Encyclia amicta

Native to: Encyclia amicta is native to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela. It is widespread and common.

Plant Size: Medium. The foliage is long and narrow and grows to 10 inches (24 cm) tall.
Flower Size: 1.25 inches (3 cm)
Flower Description: The flowers of Encyclia amicta are green or tan in color and have a pink flush on the petals and sepals. The flower segments are pointed. The lip is similar in color to the petals. The anther cap is dark maroon which is unusual for the genus Encyclia. The flower stem just barely stands above the foliage and has 8 or more flowers.

Bloom Season: Summer

Growing Temperature: Cool to Warm.

Additional Information: Encyclia amicta is adaptable and grows well under Cattleya conditions. It prefers to be mounted on cork or tree fern plaques or grown in slatted baskets. Well-grown plants can produce striking, award-winning specimens.

Synonyms: Epidendrum amictum, Epidendrum linearfolioides, Encyclia linearfolioides, Epidendrum amicta

Sophronitis cernua

Sophronitis cernua

Common Name: Nodding Sophronitis

Native to: Sophronitis cernua is native to Brazil with some inland populations reaching west to Paraguay and Boliva. It grows on trees and sometimes rocks in coastal areas as well as high in the canopy of inland rainforest trees. Along the coast of the Brazilian states of Espiritu Santo and Sao Paulo it can be found growing at sea level on rocky slopes and in mangrove forests.

Plant Size: Miniture. Sophronitis cernua has densly clustered, club-shaped pseudobulbs that grow up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) tall. The leaves are egg-shaped or spoon-shaped. Plants are compact and attractive.

Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Flower Description: Sophronitis cernua bears between 2 and 5 well-formed colorful flowers. The typical flower color has been described as vermillion to scarlet-red although some individuals have pastel, faded red flowers. The lip is yellow at the base and has two lilac spots. The flowers are formed in and protected by an opening leaf on a new growth in the Fall.

Bloom Season: Fall

Growing Temperature: Intermediate to Warm

Additional Information: Sophronitis cernua is becoming more popular in collections because it is able to tolerate warmer, drier growing conditions than Sophronitis coccinia. There are several color forms and geographic varieties of Sophronitis cernua.

Sophronitis cernua var. Horaena - This name is used by Brazilian orchid collectors and botanists to identify plants that are found growing in the lower, warmer coastal regions. Generally, the flower color is faded red. This variety is also refered to as Sophronitis cernua var. cernua.

Sophronitis cernua var. lowii - This rare and highly sought-after variety has beautiful clear yellow flowers.

Sophronitis cernua ssp. mineisa - This form is an inland race that produces small, intensely red flowers.

Sophronitis cernua ssp. mineira var. endsfeldzii - This is an "albino" form that has pale yellow flowers.

Sophronitis cernua needs warm growing conditions unlike other members of the genus. Provide bright light (brighter than typical Cattleya light), lots of air circulation and humidity. Mount on cork plaques and water heavily during warm weather. Reduce watering slightly during cool, cloudy weather.

Synonyms: Cattleya cernua; Cattleya pterocarpa; Epidendrum humile; Sophronia cernua; Sophronia modesta; Sophronia pterocarpa; Sophronitis hoffmannseggii; Sophronitis isopetala; Sophronitis modesta; Sophronitis nutans; Sophronitis pendula; Sophronitis pterocarpa