Encyclia altissima

Also known as: The Very Tall Encyclia or Epidendrum hodgeanum h.f. album Encyclia hodgeana Epidendrum hodgeanum in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

General Information

The Very Tall Encyclia is a giant sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae. It is named after a reference to the plant height.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 200cm. Each new growth has numerous leathery rigid, lance shaped leaves that grow to 3.5-6cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 0.8-60cm. The plant tends to climb or sprawl with each new growth

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Spaghnum Moss
• Perlite

Care Notes

These orchids like to be kept on the dry side, but may need to be watered daily during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered regularly.

These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.

Climate

Grows at low elevations. Rainfall ranges from 43mm to 254mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in December. Humidity ranges from 74% to 81%, highest in September and lowest in April. Temperature ranges from 14C to 31C, highest in August (25C to 31C) and lowest in January (14C to 23C).

Fertiliser

Apply liquid based fertiliser per recommended directions. They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, followed by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears, and a balanced fertiliser in other times. These orchids can also tolerate slow release fertiliser applied 1-2 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

Use balanced fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.

Potting

These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow. 

Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.

Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,

Use water retentive media such as moss to prevent roots from drying out quickly This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted. Repotting is best done annually.