Euchile (Encyclia) mariae cultural questions

[smweaver]

Can someone who has firsthand experience with this species please answer a few questions for me? 1. Does this species, in its native environment, grow "upside down" like its close relative Euchile citrina, or can it be grow "rightside up?" 2. Does it absolutely need to be mounted, or can it be accommodated in a pot with a very coarse mix? 3. How cool of a winter rest does it need? What is the optimum temperature range during the winter resting period? Thank you!

Steve

[kavanaru]

Hi Steve,

I do not know the species, but I think theses Picture answer one of your questions: It can be grown "rightside up"

http://www.orchidspecies.com/orphotd...hilemariae.jpg

http://kojimatsk.hp.infoseek.co.jp/g...703TKojima.jpg

IOSPE PHOTOS

[Shirley]

How lovely! I'll certainly be keeping my eye out for one of these!

[Jacaranda]

I looked up this plant in "The genus Encyclia in Mexico" by Dressler and Pollard - I don'y know of any better or more authorative work on the subject (?).
They say that the closely related E.citrina "tends" to grow downwards, but don't mention that for E.mariae. Incidentally they imply that a cool dry rest is the clue for flowering.

[epiphyte78]

Not many photos of Encyclia mariae growing in nature. Here's one where you can just barely make out the pseudubulb...which does not look like it is growing upside down...

Euchile mariae on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Mine is grown outdoors, mounted upside down and is just starting to spike. When I mount an orchid upside down it's for stability. The only exception of course being Encyclia citrina... which likes to grow that way.

I don't think I've heard of anybody growing Encyclia mariae in pots...mostly mounted. Growing it mounted has the advantage that if you accidentally "over-water" during its cool drier rest it will dry out faster if it's mounted than if it is in a pot. I heard of one grower putting pots of Lycaste on their side during their rest in order to distinguish them from the more regular water requiring orchids. I think most growers just establish a separate section in their grow area for cool drier rest orchids.

Temperature wise...my Encyclia mariae had no problem with this last winter's low of 33F. Here's the average temperature range that Encyclia mariae experiences at one location in its distribution range...

23.7N | 3600 ft | Encyclia mariae

Sources: Orchid Culture, Weather Reports,Temperature Charts