Encyclia tampensis

[Ross]

This is what it looks like growing in the wild. This was taken at Fort Desoto Beach picnic area late in August. It normally blooms in early spring.

In bloom it looks like this --



I grow almost all of my specimens on Florida Live Oak bark slabs. I tried other media, but they died. Haven't lost one yet on this bark.

[Wendy]

WOW...that's fabulous! Is that your own plant in bloom? Well done!!!! Nice pictures too.

[Ross]

Yes, the second is my plant. I currently have 4 specimens. 2 are being grown vertically on Live Oak slabs, 1 is being grown horizontally on a Live Oak slab and 1 is being grown in a plastic pot in Live Oak bark chunks. If I were to rate the three methods, I'd give the slight edge to vertical growth on Live Oak. The Horizontal is doing fine, just not as "fine". The pot-grown specimen tends to overgrow the pot and stagnate.

[Tindomul]

Very nice! I wonder why they would be so picky as to the kind of bark they grow on.

[Marco]

Great in-situ pics. Thanks. Keep em coming...I love in-situ pics

[Mahon]

Your Encyclia tampensis has great flower form! Is your plant the unifoliate or bifoliate type?

This species will also do superb on 3"-5" diameter Cypress branches... Encyclia tampensis can be found on every native FL Oak (Quercus), but I notice it's closer affinity to Quercus virginiana, where it will grow on top of large branches or vertically cling upon the side of the trunk... on a smaller species Oak, the orchid will grow on the underside of the branch, rather than the top side. On other species of trees, it likes to vertically cling upon the mid-section of the trunk. The species easily grows anywhere, even on fence posts, Platycerium, and sometimes on Cedar...

I believe that there is something in the bark of an Oak, which I assume promotes growth and vigor, easily demonstrated by your plant...

-Pat

[Shadow]

This second plant looks so happy! Well grown!

[Tindomul]

Hmmm could it be the Tanins from the tree? Tannins are a natural antifungal. Could be the reason. Especially in such humid conditions. ANd I believe that Quercus virginiana is fond of wetlands, adding extra dampness to the surroundings of any orchid who chooses to live on it.

[Ross]

I believe Mahon nailed it! There appears to be a symbiotic relationship between the Live Oak and the orchid. I have also seen it on Cypress, but just not as frequently. I tried growing on fir bark and that was a disaster. So while cypress may be an alternative, I am against the "mining" of cypress and so will not consider that alternative. I know there are members of the Orchid board in Florida and Louisianna that can supply Live Oak bark and we don't need to encourage destruction of the cypress forests that remain. JMO.

[Ross]

BTW, Mahon, mine appears to be primarily unifoliate. There is the occasional bifoliate "bulb", but mostly unifoliate.