Encyclia coch spike or sheath?

[gardengirl13]

I just got my Ol order and they said they were both in spike. I don't have a photo tonight, but there is no spike. I'm not sure if this is a sheath or how they even work. Do the spikes come from the sheath? I know without a photo you can't tell, but for now can someone explain this better to me?

Also I'm a bit upset seeing this same plant a lot cheaper at other places online, I have ordered from OL before and like them, but I still feel bad spending too much when money is so tight right now. Oh well.

tomorrow I'll try to get the photos up here and will post in my other thread about the phal I got too that you guys want to see,

[lusenok]

Originally Posted by gardengirl13

but there is no spike. I'm not sure if this is a sheath or how they even work. Do the spikes come from the sheath,

Encyclia cochleata is related to cattleyas. They have buds coming from sheaths in the center of pseudobulb.
But sheaths alone don't do any good especially if the sheath is flat.
I have a 6-pseudobulb division with 4 sheaths sitting there doing nothing for 4 months now.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

1. Yes, "lusenok" is correct, they do bloom from sheaths that look similar to those of Cattleyas. As was stated, just because the plant produces a sheath, it doesn't mean it will bloom. However - Anacheilium cochleatum (aka Encyclia cochleata) is an easy one to bloom. You are almost guaranteed blooms from one growth or another.

2. Orchids Limited tends to sell plants at an elevated price range. I'm sure they have their reasons, but being that I've never been to their facility, I can't say why that is.

I do know that Anacheilium cochleatum (Enc. cochleata) is a rather easily obtainable plant and therefore the prices on this species tend to generally be fairly low. I have purchased a blooming sized plant of this species for $20 - $25 before, and I'm aware that there may be places that might even be selling blooming sized specimens of this species at even lower prices than the price I got it at.

In your case, though, you probably purchased an awarded clone of Encyclia cochleata - namely Encyclia cochleata ('Hihimanu' AM/AOS x 'Spy Hill' AM/AOS), hence most likely why it was priced at what it was. Whether you think or feel that labeling a plant as an awarded plant justifies the price you purchased your plant for is at your discretion though.

[gardengirl13]

Darn, I like it being a named plant, but awards don't mean a whole lot to me. And yes that is what it is, but I'm thinking I paid about $20 too much for it. It is nice and healthy though. The part that bothers me the most, which I think I will contact them about is the higher price was for an in spike plant. They price things quite a bit higher when in spike (I assume due to flowering soon and having to pack it better to try to avoid breaking the spike.) But looking in better light today there is no spike inside the sheath. It looks like a sheath/leaf inside and that's it. So I would not call this an in spike orchid. It is blooming size though, he has two old nubs where spikes were. The phal I got is. She has about 5 buds on it (one not so good, but hey it was shipped and only one got damaged! Not bad at all!!) I can see spending more on that due to the strain the plant goes through and having to very carefully ship it. The price for that one was only about $10-15 bucks more depending on the site, plus theirs was in spike the other sites were not. Her leaves look sad, but I assume she'll perk up after getting adjusted to being here not in a greenhouse.

So a sheath doesn't mean it'll spike. I know they bloom quite well so I'll have to see what happens, I guess I'm just more upset about it not being really in spike when I paid for a plant that was supposed to be. It's not such much the price alone.

[gardengirl13]

Well Jerry as awesome as usual when I've contacted him, said the leaves inside the sheath is were the spike will form. he thinks it'll form fairly soon too, so that's good news! He did say it's parents are very good stock and the plant will be a bit larger and flower better then the generic cochleata so that is also good news. He seemed to hint that is should get flowers relatively soon.

I hate to spend more money since it's very tight right now, this was an expense knowing I may not be able to buy orchids for a while after I stop working. But everything I've received from OL has been very nice! All the plants I got in Oct have new roots growth and all seem very happy in their new home. The encyclia already seems settled in nicely, the leaves on the phal are perking up already too! I may lose the bottom one, but with care it may be able to hang on for a while. I'd rather spend a bit more money from a place I really trust and know the plants will be healthier. I've seen some places say it's in a 4" pot and the plant itself is only 5" and way too small for the pot. All the plants from OL are in the pots for a reason, the roots really fill out the whole pot and the leaves are nice and large.

I guess I was just more worried about paying $15-20 more thinking it may not be in spike and only have a sheath. I'll post photos when he does finally bloom!