April: Encyclia bractescens
Oops! We missed a few months! Things have been busy and there's been lots of changes and happenings for E.B. Orchids over the last few months.
This year, I decided to try my hand at plant and orchid shows (stay tuned for posts about those, and see our News and Events section if you'd like to see where we'll be!), and also selling here and on Etsy. So we are skipping ahead from November to April!
This month's OOTM is Encyclia bractescens.
This little species is native to Mexico and northern South America (think Belize and Guatemala) where they grow in humid, high elevation forests up to an elevation of 1100 meters above sea level. These can take cool to warm conditions and are very hardy!
In my greenhouse, it's pretty moderate everything for this one - moderate temps (65-85), moderate light, moderate watering (about every 3 days).
The flowers are star shaped, with soft tan/brown petals and the lip has a bight pink blushing. The column has a little flaring at the end that makes me think of a pigs snout or a dramatic pouting lip!
I bought two of these little guys when I first erected my greenhouse, as a little 'greenhouse' warming gift to myself, so the two plants I have are now a bit sentimental to me as they marked the true beginning of E.B. Orchids as it is now.
I started to see spikes on both plants back in late January and the blooms opened up March 1 (I remember this because it was the day before the monthly GROS meeting for March where I hoped to bring it in for the 'show table' lol)
The first plant's blooms are JUST starting to fade. The flowers lasted 6 weeks! In the orchid world, this is a long time! Bravo little Encyclias!
I have never noticed a scent, but it's said they are fragrant. A member of the GROS informed me that they usually only smell during the warmest part of the day. Alas, they are a beautiful, dainty display and I enjoy them regardless of their lack of smell!
Overall, they are a hardy plant that are easy to grow and flower - if you can find one for sale I highly recommend it for beginner hobbyists!
Stay tuned for more OOTM!