Best orchid ever (Encyclia phoenicea)
 

It's long lasting

It's pretty

But best of all it smells like chocolate.

It's a Caribean species from Cuba and the surrounding islands it's fairly rare in culture in Europe. I've bought it 2 years ago as a young plant and this is the first time it's flowering. I'm growing it in the windowsill on bark in a terracotta pot.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...aphoenicea.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...phoenicea1.jpg

Very nice orchid. Encyclias are popular here in south Florida for all the reasons you mentioned. We have an expert on encyclias in our area. Rueben from Rueben in Orchids specializes in encyclias and collects, breeds and sells them. He gave our orchid society an excellent presentation on encyclias of the Caribbean. My favorite so far is the purple variety of encyclia cordigera. It's very fragrant. Encyclia phoenicea is also very popular around here because of the chocolate fragrance. Congratulations I think your plant is an excellent one.

It's gorgeous!

Wow! That is awesome! Do you have any pics of the whole plant?

Beautiful! On my list!

Looks great!! I bet the smell is even better :)

I have some serious buying to do! Wonderful flower.

It just never ends. :biggrin:

beautiful!

Wow.. this is just so beautiful.. I love it, love it, love it. Nice growing Robs.