Encyclia oncidioides

Encyclia oncidioides

Common Name: Oncidium-like Encyclia

Native to: Brazil, Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela. Encyclia oncidioides frequently is found growing as a terrestrial in white sand in northern Brazil. It is thought that its preferred habitats were former lake beds.

Plant Size: Large. The upright pseudobulbs of Encyclia oncidioides are upright and grow to 4 inches (9-10 cm). Each growth produces up to 4 long, broad leaves (37 cm x 3 cm). There is more than the usual amount of space between pseudobulbs.

Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Flower Description: The inflorescence grows to 32 inches (90 cm) long and is branched. Individual branches are short and have many flowers. Petals and sepals are spoon-shaped. The creamy white or yellow lip is small and spade shaped and has magenta or red markings. Encyclia oncidioides has a strong, floral scent that is reminiscent of violets or roses.

Bloom Season: May to August (June and July are peak bloom months).

Growing Temperature: Intermediate

Additional Information: Encyclia oncidioides is the largest species in the genus and the plants are vigorous growers. Grow in a coarse, open media in a wide, shallow pot (i.e. bulb pan) or mount on cork. Use a large mount because the pseudobulbs like to ramble and are not tightly clustered like many other members of the genus. Provide Cattleya growing conditions with adequate air circulation. Water and fertilize during periods of active growth. Attractive and easy to grow. There are many species that were once lumped together under this name so the plant you buy may vary some from the above description.

Synonyms: Epidendrum ensiforme, Epidendrum oncidioides, Epidendrum longiolium, Epidendrum oncidioides sensu, Encyclia longifolia, Encyclia ensiformis, Encyclia vellozoana

Encyclia latipetala

Encyclia latipetala

Common Name: Broad-Petaled Encyclia

Native to: Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela.

Plant Size: Small. The pear-shaped pseudobulbs grow to 1 inch (2.5 cm) tall and have one or two broad leaves that grow to 6 inches (15 cm) long.

Flower Size: Small.

Flower Description: The flowers of Encyclia latipetala are broad near the end and have pointed apex. The sepals and narrower than the petals and are more pointed. The lip is heavily veined and attractive. Flowers are generally star-shaped.

Bloom Season: It blooms in December in its native habitat.

Growing Temperature: Intermediate.

Additional Information: This species is rarely grown by orchid collectors and does not seem to be available in the nursery trade. Grow mounted on cork or grow in slatted baskets to ensure adequate drainage and air circulation around the roots. Provide standard cattleya growing conditions. One source reports that this species is terrestrial but I cannot find any other source to confirm this. It is more probable that it grows on rocks.

Synonyms: Epidendrum latipetalum

Encyclia latipetala

Encyclia latipetala

Common Name: Broad-Petaled Encyclia

Native to: Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela.

Plant Size: Small. The pear-shaped pseudobulbs grow to 1 inch (2.5 cm) tall and have one or two broad leaves that grow to 6 inches (15 cm) long.

Flower Size: Small.

Flower Description: The flowers of Encyclia latipetala are broad near the end and have pointed apex. The sepals and narrower than the petals and are more pointed. The lip is heavily veined and attractive. Flowers are generally star-shaped.

Bloom Season: Encyclia latipetala blooms in December in its native habitat.

Growing Temperature: Intermediate.

Additional Information: Encyclia latipetala species is rarely grown by orchid collectors and does not seem to be available in the nursery trade. Grow mounted on cork or grow in slatted baskets to ensure adequate drainage and air circulation around the roots. Provide standard Cattleya growing conditions. One source reports that this species is terrestrial but I cannot find any other source to confirm this. It is more probable that it grows on rocks.

Synonyms: Epidendrum latipetalum

Encyclia guianensis

Encyclia guianensis

Common Name: Guiana Encyclia

Native to: Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela. Encyclia guianensis shares the same habitat as Encyclia chloroleuca.

Plant Size: Small-Medium. Encyclia guianensis has small, pear-shaped pseudobulbs that grow to 1.5 inches (4 cm) tall. Leaves grow to 8 inches (22 cm) long and are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide.

Flower Size: About 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Flower Description: The spoon-shaped flower petals and sepals of Encyclia guianensis are greenish-yellow in color. The lip is creamy white with red veins. Flowers are produced on a simple, unbranched inflorescence and do not extend much above the foliage.

Bloom Season: Summer?

Growing Temperature: Intermediate

Additional Information: Grow Encyclia guianensis mounted on cork or another suitable mounting material. It will grow well under typical Cattleya orchid conditions.

Synonyms: Epidendrum affine, Epidendrum cnemidophorum

Encyclia diurna

Encyclia diurna

Common Names: Daytime Encyclia, Tall Encyclia

Native to: Colombia, Suriname, Venezuela. Encyclia diurna was first found growing on trees in hills north of Caracas, Venezuela.

Plant Size: Large. Encyclia diurna is one of the largest species in the genus. The narrow, upright pseudobulbs grow to 5 inches (10 cm) tall and have two or three leaves that reach 18 inches (50 cm). This species is handsome and looks robust.

Flower Size: 1 or 2 inches (2.5-5 cm)

Flower Description: Fragrant. The petals and sepals of Encyclia diurna are pale lime green and sometimes are tinged with maroon. The lip is white with maroon lines in the middle lobe. The flower panicle can grow to 6 feet (2 m) and have several 18 inch (50 cm) branches. Well-grown plants can produce impressively branched panicles that bear numerous flowers.

Bloom Season: Late Spring to Summer. It blooms during May and June in Venezuela.

Growing Temperature: Warm, Intermediate

Additional Information: This species is quite impressive when it is in flower because of the number of flowers produced. It is a vigorous grower and does well under cattleya growing conditions.

Synonyms: Limodorum diurnum, Cymbidium diurnum, Epidendrum diurnum, Cymbidium glandulosum, Epidendrum wagneri, Epidendrum diurnum, Encyclia wagerneri, Encyclia glandulosa, Encyclia virens, Encyclia remotiflora; Epidendrum glandulosum, Epidendrum ochranthum, Epidendrum ochricolor, Epidendrum remotiflorum

Encyclia dichroma

Encyclia dichroma

Native to: Brazil, Suriname. Encyclia dichroma grows on rocky outcroppings and low, scrubby brush in mountainous areas of Brazil.

Plant Size: Medium. The upright, narrow 4 inch (10 cm) tall pseudobulbs produce two or three upright, tongue-shaped leaves that grow to 12 inches (30 cm).

Flower Size: Up to 2 inches (5 cm). Many plants produce smaller flowers.

Flower Description: The flowers of Encyclia dichroma are quite striking and unique in their color. The flower color can be white, pink, or rosy red. The lip is darker in color than the petals and often has a white margin. Some plants produce branched inflorescence while others bear only two flowers on an unbranched flower stalk.

Bloom Season: Summer in cultivation (Spring in Brazil)

Growing Temperature: Intermediate

Additional Information: Encyclia dichroma needs bright light, brighter than typical Cattleya conditions.

Synonyms: Epidendrum dichromum, Epidendrum brasiliense, Encyclia dichroma subsp. biflora, Epidendrum biflorum

Encyclia chloroleuca

Encyclia chloroleuca

Common Name: Green and White Encyclia

Native to: Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela. Encyclia chloroleuca is wide-spread in South America and grows on trees.

Plant Size: Small

Flower Size: 1.25 inches (3.1 cm)

Flower Description: Fragrant. The flowers of Encyclia chloroleuca are bright green and like just like the common name suggests. The petals and sepals are obovate with a pointed apex. The lip is white with a purple central vein. Flowers do not have any fragrance. The flower stalk stands above the foliage (12 inches or 30 cm) and bears between 3 and 8 flowers.

Bloom Season: Late Summer to Fall

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: Encyclia chloroleuca is widespread and adaptable. Grow mounted or in well-drained pots and provide standard Cattleya growing conditions. Bright light and average humidity is acceptable. Some individuals may have fragrant flowers, but the majority are lacking in fragrance.

Synonyms: Epidendrum chloroleucum, Epidendrum chloranthum, Epidendrum chloroleucum var. fuscoluteum, Encyclia thienii, Epidendrum viridiflava