Encyclia polybulbon - Many Bulbed Encyclia

Encyclia polybulbon

Common Name: Many Bulbed Encyclia

Native to: Mexico and Central America south to Nicaragua, Jamaica, Cuba. Encyclia polybulbon grows in humid forests between 600 and 3200 meters in elevation. It grows on trees.

Plant Size: Miniature. The compact plants have small, oval pseudobulbs that are widely spaced. Each growth has 1 to 3 elliptical leaves. Foliage is yellow-green in color on healthy plants.

Flower Size: 1.25 inches (3 cm)

Flower Description: Few to several flowers bloom on an upright flower stem. Flowers are fragrant.

Bloom Season: Fall to Spring

Growing Temperature: Cool to Warm (Adaptable)

Additional Information: The pseudobulbs tend to ramble and therefore it is best to mount the plants on cork bark. Provide Cattleya growing conditions

Synonyms: Bulbophyllum occidentale; Dinema polybulbon; Epidendrum polybulbon; Epidendrum polybulbon var. luteo-album

Encyclia pollardiana - Pollard's Encyclia

Encyclia pollardiana

Common Name: Pollard's Encyclia

Native to: Mexico. Encyclia pollardiana is found growing in the Mexican states of Jalisco, Michoacan, and Nayarit where it grows on trees up to 1400 meters in elevation.

Plant Size: Large. The pseudobulbs are large and have two or three leaves.

Flower Size: Medium.

Flower Description: Flowers of Encyclia pollardiana bloom on a 24 inch long (60 cm) branched flower stem.

Bloom Season: Spring

Growing Temperature: Warm to Cool

Additional Information: Encyclia pollardiana was named after a Mexican orchid enthusiast who was active in the mid-20th century. Grow mounted or in a pot with a loose, open growing media suitable for Cattleya orchids. Provide typical cattleya conditions.

Synonyms: Epidendrum pollardianum

Photo courtesy of Abundaflora.

Encyclia plicata - Pleated Encyclia

Encyclia plicata

Common Name: Pleated Encyclia

Native to: Bahamas and Cuba. Encyclia plicata grows on trees or rocks in warm humid forest near sea level.

Plant Size: Large. The upright, fleshy pseudobulbs have two or three long, sword-shaped leaves.

Flower Size: 2.5 inches (6.5 cm)

Flower Description: Few to many flowers bloom on a 30 inch (75 cm) tall flower stem.

Bloom Season: Spring to early Summer

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: Encyclia plicata is a robust grower and does best mounted on a substantial tree branch. Provide ample water and fertilizer during periods of active growth and then allow the plant to rest by reducing water for a few months. Provide bright light, warmth, and humidity for best results. There is an alba form of the species.

Synonyms: Epidendrum plicatum

Encyclia pilosa - Hairy Encyclia

Encyclia pilosa

Common Name: Hairy Encyclia

Native to: Columbia, Peru. Encyclia pilosa grows on trees at low elevation (near 100 m).

Plant Size: Small. Mature plants are only 8 or 9 inches (23 cm) tall. Encyclia pilosa has pear-shaped pseudobulbs that have produce 1 narrow, upright leaf.

Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Flower Description: Flowers of Encyclia pilosa grow on an upright, lightly branched inflorescence that does not extend beyond the foliage. Flowers are yellow-brown in color. Eight to ten flowers per inflorescence is typical.

Bloom Season: Summer.

Growing Temperature: Intermediate to Warm.

Additional Information: Encyclia pilosa is rare in cultivation and has not been widely grown. Grow in a small, slatted basket or grow on a cork bark mount. Provide typical cattleya growing conditions.

Synonyms: Epidendrum pilosum

Encyclia picta - Painted Encyclia

Encyclia picta

Common Name: Painted Encyclia

Native to: Brazil, Guyana. Encyclia picta shares the same habitat as Encyclia chloroleuca and grows on trees.

Plant Size: Large. The leaves of Encyclia picta are leathery and have rounded tips.

Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Flower Description: The petals and sepal of Encyclia picta are dull yellow-green or yellow-brown. The lip is white with dark red veins and stripes. Flowers are produced on an upright, branched inflorescence that bears many flowers.

Bloom Season: Summer (December and January in its native habitat).

Growing Temperature: Intermediate.

Additional Information: Encyclia picta was first described in 1883. Grow on a cork slab or on tree fern plaques or in slatted baskets. Provide typical Cattleya orchid growing conditions with ample air circulation. Reduce water during cool, cloudy weather to avoid root rot. Encyclia picta is a large species that has a somewhat confusing past but is worth seeking and growing if you like big plants.

Synonyms: Epidendrum pictum

Encyclia phoenicea - Chocolate Orchid

Encyclia phoenicea

Common Name: Chocolate Orchid

Native to: Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Island, Grand Turks and Caicos. Encyclia phoenicea grows on trees near sea level.

Plant Size: Medium. The plant is robust and has one to three long linear leaves.

Flower Size: 2 inches (5 cm)

Flower Description: Flowers of Encyclia phoenicea  have olive brown petals and sepals and a purple lip. Fragrant; the flowers smell like chocolate. Up to 25 flowers are well displayed on a 36 inch (90 cm) branched inflorescence. The flower stem emerges from a mature pseudobulb.

Bloom Season: Spring to Fall

Growing Temperature: Warm

Additional Information: Encyclia phoenicea grows well mounted on tree branches, cork bark, or grown in a pot or basket. Keep on the dry side after growth matures. Provide standard Cattleya growing conditions with more humidity and heat for best flowering. The flowers do not all open at once but rather open over an extended period of time providing for a long bloom period.

Synonyms: Epidendrum grahamii; Epidendrum phoeniceum

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 pedra-azulensis

Encyclia pedra-azulensis

Common Name: Pedra Azul Encyclia

Native to: Brazil

Plant Size: Large. The egg-shaped pseudobulbs grow to 4 inches (10 cm) tall and the foliage reaches 18 inches (50 cm) tall. Each pseudobulb produces between 1 and 3 leaves that are 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide.

Flower Size: 2 inches (5 cm)

Flower Description: Well-grown plants produce very tall (over 1 meter) branched flower stems that bear over 40 flowers. The petals and sepals are green washed with brown. The lip is white to creamy white and has purple veins. The plant and flowers are similar to Encyclia osmantha.

Bloom Season: Summer

Growing Temperature: Intermediate to Warm

Additional Information: Encyclia pedra-azulensis is another large Encyclia species from South America that produces monstrously large plants with impressive flower spikes. Grow mounted on a large cork mount or in a slatted basket. Provide ample water and fertilizer during periods of active growth and let it dry out a little during cooler weather. Provide standard Cattleya conditions. This species was only described to science in the early 1990's and was discovered by an amateur orchid grower in Brazil.

Synonyms: None.

Encyclia pauciflora

Encyclia pauciflora

Common Name: Few-Flowered Encyclia

Native to: Brazil. Encyclia pauciflora grows on trees and is found in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

Plant Size: Small. Encyclia pauciflora has small, pear-shaped pseudobulbs that grow about an inch (3 cm) tall. Each pseudobulb produces 2 sword-shaped leaves that reach 4 inches (10 cm).

Flower Size: 2 inches (5 cm) or larger.

Flower Description: Encyclia pauciflora has relatively large flowers that are olive-brown or green in color. The petals and sepal reflex attractively and are well displayed on the stem above the foliage. The lip is white or (rarely) pink with purple veins. A slate blue "coerulea" form has been reported. Each flower stem produces four or five flowers.

Bloom Season: Summer (December in Brazil)

Growing Temperature: Intermediate.

Additional Information: This species has nice flowers and is compact and easy to grow. Unfortunately, it is uncommon in collections. Grow mounted on cork bark or tree fern. One author recommends slatted baskets with osmunda fiber. Water heavily during periods of active growth. Provide Cattleya growing conditions. No hybrids have been made with this species and it seems to have some potential for creating larger-flowered plants.

Synonyms: Epidendrum pauciflorum

Encyclia patens

Encyclia patens

Common Name: Sweet-Scented Encyclia

Native to: Brazil. Encyclia patens is found growing on trees near Rio de Janeiro.

Plant Size: Medium. The plants of Encyclia patens produce two or three leaves that are dull green with maroon blotches and streaks.

Flower Size: 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Flower Description: Flowers of Encyclia patens are olive green with brownish-red streaks and stripes. The petals are fleshy and substantial and fragrant. The lip is yellowish and has red veins and markings. Flowers are produced on densely branched, erect flower spike that extends beyond the foliage.

Bloom Season: Late Winter to Summer

Growing Temperature: Intermediate

Additional Information: Encyclia patens is a fragrant, medium-sized species. Grow on cork slabs or in slatted baskets. It grows well under typical Cattleya orchid conditions and is not too picky in regards to growing conditions.

Synonyms: Epidendrum odoratissimum, Exophya patens, Epidendrum glutinosum, Epidendrum serronianum, Encyclia serroniana, Epidendrum patens, Macradenia lutescens