I'm expecting! Encyclia mariae soon to open!

[kiki-do]

Hi All!
I feel like an expecting Mom here! I'm so excited, that I am posting prematurely. I've had this Encyclia for a year now, and the first spike back in July of 2008 blasted on me, and now I have three blooms on this spike about to open. I've enclosed pics of the actual birthing of her!
I've been waiting, watching, waiting, watching.....any day now, she will open completely and I will post again. Oh, the last picture I took of her leaning over my ascocenda (who has never bloomed for me in three years). I figure it can't hurt to flirt and dangle the blooms over him to show him how it's done.

[whygreenberg]

Too cool, Kiki!! Congrats! Can't wait to see pics when they're fully open. Mariae is a real beauty. Way to go!!

[quiltergal]

Enc. mariae is one of my favorites! I wanted us to pick it for one of our OB projects but it's been eliminated twice. It is supposed to be very fragrant. Nice job blooming this. I can't wait to see the flowers fully opened.

Is that Den. Iki peeking out of one of the pictures? Whatever it is it's very nice..and it looks small. Do tell! I'm an entire ear!!

[Amanda L]

That is awesome Kiki!! I can't wait to see them fully open! Waiting for a bloom to open is TORTURE! Great Growing!!

[lostonthebeach]

Very interesting. Please keep the photos coming as the buds open.

[kiki-do]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

Enc. mariae is one of my favorites! I wanted us to pick it for one of our OB projects but it's been eliminated twice. It is supposed to be very fragrant. Nice job blooming this. I can't wait to see the flowers fully opened.

Is that Den. Iki peeking out of one of the pictures? Whatever it is it's very nice..and it looks small. Do tell! I'm an entire ear!!

Yes, that is a Den. iki alright. It's been a most amazing plant for me. It's been in bloom more than not. I honestly can't remember when it's not in bloom. Right now I have three blooms, and before those go by, I usually see signs of another new growth. Yup, it's one of my all-time favorites. It has never let me down. Thanks for the notice.

[quiltergal]

Thanks Kiki! I love the Dens from the Formosae section but most of them get so huge. I love my Frosty Dawn which has a similar look to Iki but it's pushing 2' in height. It's a sentimental favorite. It was the first orchid I ever got to rebloom for me so I can't get rid of it. But I may need to get an Iki to keep it company!

[kiki-do]

Here's an update on my Encyclia mariae. I'm pretty sure this is completely open. This is the only encyclia I've ever bloomed. It's very sweet and delicate. I just love it. I didn't do it justice with my inexperience at taking photos, but hope you enjoy.