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Saturday, August 18, 2012

Encyclias

I don't grow many Encyclias, not sure why though, as I find them just wonderful orchids.  Although many of them look alike at first glance, when you take a moment and really check them out, you find charming differences between them.  And really, the fragrance so many of them have, alone is worth growing this genus. Many consider their culture requirements to be similar to Brassavolas.  Very high light levels, warm to hot conditions, dry out well in between waterings.  I have a couple Encyclias - profusa and parviflora that I have always followed this advice.  Funny these two haven't bloomed for me.  But other Encyclias that I leave outside year round, with cool to cold winters (see my below Vandaceous post for description) have bloomed.  Oh well, as I have learned, more than one way to grow an orchid.  I'm going to just place the pictures here in a row of the few I have.


Enanthleya Middleburg 'Maj'   (Cattlianthe Bactia x Encyclia phoenicea)


Encyclia alata x Encyclia tampensis


Encyclia Lee Ward (E. adenocaula x E. tampensis)



Encyclia Lee Ward (E. adenocalula x E. tampensis)

Catyclia Florida 'Pine Knot'  (C. dowiana x Encyclia cordigera)


Catyclia Florida 'Pine Knot' (C. dowiana x Encyclia cordigera)


Encyclia phoenicea


Encyclia alata


Saturday, August 11, 2012

Dendrobium convolutum

D. convolutum is a Dendrobium in the Latouria section.  Many of the Latouria section Dens prefer to be grown under warm conditions, and do not like to dry out completely.  D. convolutum thrives for me under these general conditions.  Intermediate level light, slightly under typical Cattleya levels seem to give my plant the best growth and flowers.  This plant, while still small for it's species, puts out spikes for a couple months in the summer, therefore it is almost always in bloom during the warmer months.  The individual flowers last for weeks, and are very interesting. Here are a few different views of the plant.