Favorite Encyclias?

[Claire25]

Hi there,

I have an Encyclia cordigera that's about to kick the bucket due to what I gather is an inability to recover from some chronic underwatering on my part. It's odd...as far as I can tell I've been giving it similar care to what my other Encyclias are getting (once I realized my mistake), but it REALLY has not liked my conditions. I'd really like to replace this orchid with something that I can continue to "practice" my Encyclia-growing skills on...so far I've had a lot of success with E. bractescens, E. Cindy, and E. phoenicea...in particular the E. Cindy I purchased as a seedling 3 years ago looks like a small bush now, and I expect it to flower for the first time this spring...so does anyone have a favorite species that might grow well for me (on windowsills in winter, outside in summer) that they can suggest? I would try again with E. cordigera, but I have really been perplexed by how determined this one has been to refuse to recover...

Thanks,
Claire

P.S. E. Cindy is tampense x alata, by the way. Wonder if one of those two would do well for me?

[Call_Me_Bob]

i like encylcia tampensis the best! especially the var. alba or var. green

[Claire25]

Well, thanks! I like the fact that E. tampense stays on the small-ish side...and I think I remember reading that they have a pleasant fragrance, too...

[Call_Me_Bob]

i have read they are fragrant, i havent gotten mine to bloom yet. but ive fallen in love with one i saw at an os meeting.

i wouldn classify mine as "small" it it isnt terribly tall, by no means a "monster" catt, but its wide! could be just because i have a rather large plant, 25+ growths

[Claire25]

Haha...I appreciate the "wide" aspect you mention...I have quite a few things taking up more horizontal space now than I'd bargained for. About how long are the leaves on yours, Bob?

[Call_Me_Bob]

the longest leaves are around 12 inches. but they dont stand up straight. they go wide. whe whole plant from bottom of the pot to the tip if the leaves ( as they fall naturally ) is aout 13-4 inches. and the width is about 18-20 inches

[Claire25]

Thanks! That helps me a lot.

[got ants]

Tampensis is also a fav of mine,,,go figure...





I actually had Green Hornet as a encyclia, until I found out it is in fact a Prosthechea. The flowers are just so wild with the lip upside down, and the black backs of the lips...



But the Cordigera var Roseum is nice too..



Actually, is multiple favs allowed?

[Call_Me_Bob]

my tampensis is a tiny bit smaller than that. but i just got it, so i havent had the pleasure of experiencing it i its full glory

[Claire25]

Oh my goodness! Those are incredible pics...clearly I will need a greenhouse to grow tampensis to its full glory.

I like the pic of cordigera too...mine was approximately that size when I got it, and I thought it was too small to bloom. I can see from your photo that's not the case, though! I'm going to try to nurse it through the winter and hope for the best.

-Claire