Found an orchid on the ground in rough shape. Suggestions for healthy rejuvenation?

[imfortney]

mothership, but if you go to the Imgur link it has much better pictures.

[Roberta]

Wow, that's a beast! I think you have at least 3 big divisions there, after removing the dead stuff.

[camille1585]

That is a monster of a plant, I hope you have space for it! It'll be exciting to see it bloom one day, and finally get a more specific idea of what it might be.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Indeed a very cool orchid. I so want to see it bloom one day. Thank you for rescuing the poor thing.

[imfortney]

Well I have separated it into 3 sections and 2 tiny divisions of 5-7 bulbs. I found a stump yesterday in the backyard so I am going to mount one section on it and find a few other like minded plants for the stump.

I’ll get pictures of the divisions. I think the largest section is still too big for the 10x16” cork bark I bought.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by imfortney

Well I have separated it into 3 sections and 2 tiny divisions of 5-7 bulbs. I found a stump yesterday in the backyard so I am going to mount one section on it and find a few other like minded plants for the stump.

I’ll get pictures of the divisions. I think the largest section is still too big for the 10x16” cork bark I bought.

If you can get fencing in untreated cedar or redwood (with a rough surface) that might be a suitable mount for the big piece. You can fasten several pieces together (to get the width) by fastening to a horizontal piece of wood, structure like a fence. (I did something like that to create a mount for a staghorn fern.) You can then make it the dimensions you want.

[Holy_Molybdenum]

Since you mentioned it was from hurricane Irma, is it safe to assume you live in Florida? I would hazard a guess that your mystery Encyclia is an Encyclia tampensis (which just so happen to be native to Florida and tend to live in trees and get knocked out during storms). Either way I'm very jealous of your find - encyclias are my favorite

[estación seca]

I agree it's a native Encyclia, and it does look like E. tampensis. I don't think they're all that common any longer. A downed branch would also be a good mount.

Holy_Molybdenum, Welcome to the Orchid Board! Do you know other members here from your orchid society?