Baseball size ball at base

[grlhiggins]

I think it is an encyclia. But the plant has long stappy leaves and at the base the bulb has become engorged to the size of a baseball. Is this an encyclia? And what should I do? I am patiently awaiting the arrival of the flowers! I will post pic this eve. thoughts?

[nikv]

Sounds like an Encyclia to me. Possibly Encyclia cordigera or one of its crosses.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by grlhiggins

I think it is an encyclia. But the plant has long stappy leaves and at the base the bulb has become engorged to the size of a baseball. Is this an encyclia? And what should I do? I am patiently awaiting the arrival of the flowers! I will post pic this eve. thoughts?

I haven't seen you photo yet, but are you sure you have an orchid? You're description sounds like a Pregnant Onion. They are a type of succulent. When mature their bulb is the size of a baseball with strap leaves ranging from 3' to 6' in length. They produce a bloom spike from the center of the plant which can also reach a length of 6'. The bulb produces bumps which are actually baby plants beneath its paper like skin. I've posted some photos.

[MuscleGirl'sHobby]

I had never seen or heard of a pregnant onion! What a cool looking plant! I'm always on the lookout for unique houseplants

[cb977]

If it's an orchid with a baseball sized p-bulb, it could be Peristeria elata...

a picture is really needed in order to figure it out

[gixrj18]

I'm pretty sure it's not Encyclia, they are mostly bifoliate, having three leaves on occasion.

[AboutOrchids]

Originally Posted by Junebug

I haven't seen you photo yet, but are you sure you have an orchid? You're description sounds like a Pregnant Onion. They are a type of succulent. When mature their bulb is the size of a baseball with strap leaves ranging from 3' to 6' in length. They produce a bloom spike from the center of the plant which can also reach a length of 6'. The bulb produces bumps which are actually baby plants beneath its paper like skin. I've posted some photos.

We've got one in the backyard that I know as a "sea onion" or "false sea onion," scientific name Ornithogalum caudatum. It's a South African succulent.

[snow]

amarilys maybe?

[grlhiggins]

sorry for taking so long!

i attached the big ball and another orchid i need help IDing.

thanks! : )

[dgenovese1]

I have an Encyclia Gail Nakagaki that has huge pseudobulbs similar to this, but mine are green. It is a primary cross: E. cordigera x E. alata.

I'll post pics tomorrow along with the two spikes it currently carries (it's not in bloom yet). The p-bulbs on mine are closer to the size of tennis balls rather than a baseball.