Encyclia cochleata

[cbuchman]

I've had mine for many years; and it is in a 12" octagonal basket. I lined the basket sides & bottom with coir and filled it with medium bark (with some charcoal, perlite and tree fern to keep it open) They need moisture when growing and less when not. I feed heavily when it is growing. It can take a fair amount of sun, but need to be acclimated. Just watch the leaves and you will know.

It seems to be active for about 9 months of the year and then rest for about 3 months starting in the fall.

Mine is in bloom for about 7-9 months. I typically cut off the inflorescences before I bring it indoors in the fall, though they are still blooming, but by this time they are quite leggy and often have scale. So to limit my bug exposure, I cut them. The only bug problems I've ever had is scale (a never ending battle) and once it had mealies.

I typically have between 5 and 9 spikes each year. In the past 3 years or so, the inflorescence have branched for an even greater display. Last year I broke one off (I hate it when that happens!!!!), but it branched and although it was not the typical elegant looking inflorescence, it did branch and continue it's floriferous display.

I recently purchased a very small alba version which looks like it will bloom this spring. it is in a 3' pot.