Wild Encyclia tampensis in Spike!

[brandank]

I stopped by my property to check up on the Encyclia tampensis orchids. They should be close to blooming. These guys are almost there. Maybe another week or so and we should have some really good pictures of these flowers. Here are a few that I took today and I have some larger size pictures on my blog the link is in my signature, along with a few others.

[pheli]

They grow so happily in the wild.
Thanks for posting and i cannot wait to see them in full bloom.

[Chubidubi]

Those plants look amazing.

[Don Perusse]

Are they native to your area or did you plant them? The surely are large plants. Like to see them when they bloom. Keep us posted.

[brandank]

Yes these are native to my area. I did not plant these but am fortunate enough to own a piece of land that has these clumps growing. I think it is 2 separate clumps. They do take up almost the whole top half of the tree limb. I am fairly new to orchids and never realized what was growing right in front of me. So this is the first blooming of these Enc. for me and I am very excited. Here is 1 more that I took this evening that shows the top 1/2 of the limb.How many spikes can you count?

[Orchonubee]

Wow, a true beauty. I hope mine looks like this in ten years or so. You are indeed fortunate that you are graced with such a fine specimen. Thank you for sharing.

Rico
Valkaria, Fl

[charmbutterfly]

Oh wow i count more than 10 spikes!! thats so awesome!! Is it scented?

[Chubidubi]

You are a very lucky man indeed

[greg sytch]

Question- I have E. tampensis and got it because I live in Tampa Bay (New Port Richey) and thought it would be cool to grow them outdoors. When there are light freezes, do they get damaged? I assume that since they are native, they can take some cold...I'd love to grow mine in the trees without worry :-)) tHANKS gREG

[Swamper]

Nice snook and redfish on your link too. Really cool stuff. Is it swampy near those wild orchids?