Encyclia phoenicea flowering

[smweaver]

Native to Cuba and (I think) other islands of the Caribbean, this is Encyclia phoenicea. This is the first flowering for this plant, and although the spike is long (approximately 56 centimeters), it only produced six buds. But I can't complain, as the flowers have a wonderfully strong chocolate fragrance (much nicer than the popular Oncidium Sharry Baby). A forgiving species if it can be provided with hot and humid summers, followed by relatively dry and warm winters. The first two pictures were taken inside; the third was taken ouotside (none of the photos have been edited for color enhancement).

Steve