Epidendrum tuxtlense

Epidendrum tuxtlense

Common Name: Tuxtla Epidendrum
Native to: Mexico. Epidendrum tuxtlense is found growing in the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Vera Cruz. This species grows on trees in rain-forests and deciduous forests between 1300 and 1700 meters in elevation.
Plant Size: Medium to Large. Epidendrum tuxtlense has tall, reed-like stems that have many leaves.
Flower Size: 0.33 inches (1 cm)
Flower Description: The flowers of Epidendrum tuxtlense are produced on a short, tightly packed flower stem that develops from the tip of mature stems. Unlike most other species, the flower stem produces flowers for several years. One growth can produce up to 32 blooms. Flowers are fragrant.
Bloom Season: Late Spring to Early Fall
Growing Temperature: Warm
Additional Information: Epidendrum tuxtlense is named after the San Andres de Tuxtla region in the Mexican state of Vera Cruz. Grow mounted on cork or tree fern plaques or grow in a slatted basket. This species was first described to the scientific community in 1999 and is very similar to Epidendrum polyanthemum.
Synonyms: None.

Epidendrum pseudohueycatenangense

Epidendrum pseudohueycatenangense

Common Name: False Hueycatena Epidendrum
Native to: Mexico. Epidendrum pseudohueycatenangense grows on oak trees around 1300 meters in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.
Plant Size: Small.
Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Flower Description: The flowers of Epidendrum pseudohueycatenangense are produced on short terminal inflorescence that bear a few flowers. The flowers open over an extended period to time.
Bloom Season: Winter?
Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool
Additional Information: False Hueycatena Epidendrum was named after the Mexican town of Hueycatena. Grow mounted on cork bark and provide even moisture.
Synonyms: None.

---

Epidendrum hueycantenangense

Epidendrum hueycantenangense

Common Name: Hueycantantengo Epidendrum
Native to: Mexico. Epidendrum hueycantenangense is native to the Mexican states of Guerrero and Oaxaca where it is found growing between 1800 and 1950 meters. It grows on trees.
Plant Size: Medium. Epidendrum hueycantenangense produces reed-like stems with up to ten fleshy leaves.
Flower Size: 0.75 inches (2 cm)
Flower Description: A few small flowers are produced on a pendulous terminal inflorescence. The three inch-long flower stem can produce new flowers for several years.
Bloom Season: Fall to Winter
Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool
Additional Information: Do not cut the flower stem after the flowers fade because it may produce new flowers for a number of years. Grow mounted on in slatted baskets with coarse fir bark. Provide Cattleya orchid growing conditions.
Synonyms: None.

Epidendrum gasteriferum - Pob-Bellied Epidendrum

Epidendrum gasteriferum

Common Name: Pot-bellied Epidendrum
Native to: Mexico. Epidendrum gasteriferum is native to the Mexican state of Oaxaca where it is found growing around 2000 meters above sea level. It prefers growing on the branches and trunks of large oak trees.
Plant Size: Medium. The stems are swollen in the middle (thus the common name).
Flower Size: Small.
Flower Description: A few bright red flowers are produced on a reflexed or drooping inflorescence that develops at the terminal of mature stems. The flowers open over an extended period of time.
Bloom Season: Winter?
Growing Temperature: Cool To Intermediate
Additional Information: Epidendrum gasteriferum has a rather limited distribution and is not terribly common.
Synonyms: None.

Epidendrum costatum - Ruby-lipped Epidendrum

Epidendrum costatum

Common Name: Ruby-lipped Epidendrum

Native to: Mexico. Epidendrum costatum grows on the branches of large oak trees in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. Frequently it is found in the same habitat and range of Epidendrum oaxacanum.

Plant Size: Medium

Flower Size: Small

Flower Description: The flowers of Epidendrum costatum bloom over a long period of time on a flower stem that develops from the top of maturing stems. Few to many flowers are produced per growth.

Bloom Season: Winter

Growing Temperature: Warm to Intermediate

Additional Information: This species was first described in 1945 and is known for its ruby-colored lip. Flowers are attractive and desirable. Grow mounted on cork bark or in a pot with a coarse, open growing media. Provide humidity and water throughout the year.

Synonyms: None.

Epidendrum carolii - Carol's Epidendrum

Epidendrum carolii

Common Name: Carol's Epidendrum

Native to: Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Epidendrum carolii grows wild in the Mexican states of Jalisco and Oaxaca. Its primary habitat is moist oak forests between 500 and 1700 meters in elevation.

Plant Size: Small. The fleshy stems have two or more sword-shaped green leaves.

Flower Size: 0.5 inches (1.75 cm)

Flower Description: The small flowers are produced on a terminal flower stem that grows to 8 inches (20 cm) in height. The flowers have a faint, pleasant scent.

Bloom Season: Spring to Fall

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: Epidendrum carolii is a compact species that can be grown successfully on cork or tree fern mounts. Provide heat and humidity along with adequate air circulation for best results. The small flowers have a charm of their own.

Synonyms: None.

Encyclia tuerckheimii

Encyclia tuerckheimii

Common Name: Tuerckheim's Encyclia

Native to: Mexico. Encyclia tuerckheimii is found growing in the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Chiapas and Guatemala. It grows on trees in cool, moist pine and oak evergreen forests between 1400 and 2300 meters in elevation.

Plant Size: Medium. Encyclia tuerckheimii has pear-shaped pseudobulbs that are tightly clustered. Each growth has two or three leaves.

Flower Size: 1.5 inches (4 cm)

Flower Description: Fragrant. Flowers are fleshy and substantial and last for a long time on the plant. The flowers have a distinct citrus-like fragrance reminiscent of tangerines. Few to many flowers are produced on a simple or lightly branched flower stalk.

Bloom Season: Spring, Summer, Fall

Growing Temperature: Cool.

Additional Information: Encyclia tuerckheimii prefers cooler, moister growing conditions than most other members of the genus. Mount on cork or grow in a slatted basket. Water frequently and keep moist but not wet. High humidity is appreciated.

Synonyms: Epidendrum tuerckheimii

Encyclia meliosma

Common Name: Honey-scented Encyclia

Native to: Mexico. Encyclia meliosma is found growing in the Mexican states of Jalisco, Michoacan, Guerrero, Morelos, and Oaxaca where it grows from 300 to 1500 meters in elevation. This species grows on trees in seasonally dry forests and foothills.

Plant Size: Medium. Encyclia meliosma has conical pseudobulbs and one or two fleshy, tongue-shaped leaves.

Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Flower Description: Fragrant; the flowers smell like honey (although the fragrance is faint). Many flowers are produced on a tall (to 100 cm), branched inflorescence

Bloom Season: Spring to Early Summer

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: Encyclia meliosma is closely related to Encyclia spatella and Encyclia aenicta.

Synonyms: Encyclia meliosma

Encyclia atrorubens

Encyclia atrorubens

Common Name: Dark Red Encyclia Orchid

Native to: Mexico. It is found growing between 1100 and 1200 meters in elevation in oak forests in the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Guerrero.

Plant Size: Medium. Encyclia atrorubens has round pseudobulbs that have two narrow leaves.

Flower Size: 1.5 inches (3.75 cm)

Flower Description: The flowers are dark, rudy red and similar (if not the same as) Encyclia diota. The plant produces a tall (1 meter) branched flower stem with many flowers.

Bloom Season: Summer

Growing Temperature: Intermediate to Warm

Additional Information: This may be the same as Encyclia diota. Grow mounted on cork or tree fern or in pots with a coarse growing media. Typical Cattleya conditions are acceptable for this species.

Synonyms: Encyclia diota subsp. atrorubens, Epidendrum atrorubens