Encyclia bractescens in bloom

[WhiteRabbit]

A small species from Central America and Mexico

I've had this one a couple of years - it's been an easy going plant This past year, it has been growing in a west facing window that gets some direct sun from mid to late afternoon. Watered when the sphag on the mount is dry. I have not detected any fragrance, tho I have read that the species is fragrant ...

There is some pink on the lip, which I had difficulty capturing in the photos The best photos I got have the back drop of new wood, which is about the same color as the flowers - but the light there made for the best pix. Anyway - I hope you can see them

Thanks for looking

[estación seca]

Beautiful, and nicely grown!

Just curious, how long does it take to dry out between waterings this time of year?

[Leafmite]

Very nice! I hope you will soon get some fragrance, if not with this blooming, the next.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Beautiful, and nicely grown!

Just curious, how long does it take to dry out between waterings this time of year?

Thank you!

Right now our temps have been up and down a lot - so, it may get watered every day, or every other day if weather is cooler. In summer, I water it well daily. It's possible that during hot weather, it may be dry before the end of the day (I've not checked), but it's been ok with once a day waterings, tho exposed roots can dry out (maybe I should start spritzing those later in the day during hot weather, or add sphag to those areas) ;p

---------- Post added at 02:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:42 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Very nice! I hope you will soon get some fragrance, if not with this blooming, the next.

Thanks

I don't recall catching any fragrance last year, either - but maybe this is one that is fragrant either only early mornings, or when it's in the sun - I'll have to try to check at those times

[Pattywack]

Very pretty, second picture is wonderful! Love the pink lip.

[1flower1world]

What a beauty!

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

...Right now our temps have been up and down a lot - so, it may get watered every day, or every other day if weather is cooler. In summer, I water it well daily. It's possible that during hot weather, it may be dry before the end of the day (I've not checked), but it's been ok with once a day waterings, tho exposed roots can dry out (maybe I should start spritzing those later in the day during hot weather, or add sphag to those areas) ;p....

I asked because the mounted Encyclias and Epidendrum relatives I have are crispy dry within a few hours, whether I soak them in a bucket overnight or get them wet with a spray bottle. A few Enc. seedlings from RF Orchids are in mostly LECA and charcoal, and I may have to move them, because even with daily watering they look water-stressed. My growing room has 40%-70% humidity and the mounts seem OK, but I always worry. I'm doing more and more of the long soaking to deal with slightly shriveled leaves.

[u bada]

ooooh aaaah love these cheery little guys! great growing!

[WhiteRabbit]

Thanks everyone

Originally Posted by estación seca

I asked because the mounted Encyclias and Epidendrum relatives I have are crispy dry within a few hours, whether I soak them in a bucket overnight or get them wet with a spray bottle. A few Enc. seedlings from RF Orchids are in mostly LECA and charcoal, and I may have to move them, because even with daily watering they look water-stressed. My growing room has 40%-70% humidity and the mounts seem OK, but I always worry. I'm doing more and more of the long soaking to deal with slightly shriveled leaves.

That humidity doesn't seem bad. Summer daytime humidity is low here, but it's not all day. I have a little Encyclia hybrid growing outside here, and when it was in a 3" pot (clay), I had it in sphag.

I'm sure you'll work out the best way to keep them happy
I've given up on tiny seedlings because it's been impossible for me to get the watering right in summer

[No-Pro-mwa]

Lovely little orchid.