Encyclia cordigera

Also known as: Large or Encyclia cordigera h.f. semialba Encyclia cordigera h.f. alba Encyclia cordigera h.f. rosea Encyclia cordigera h.f. atropurpurea Limodorum purpureum Encyclia cordigera h.v. leucantha Cymbidium cordigerum Encyclia atropurpurea var. rosea Epidendrum atropurpureum var. laciniatum Epidendrum doeringii Encyclia cordigera f. leucantha Encyclia atropurpurea var. rhodoglossa Encyclia atropurpurea var. leucantha Epidendrum macrochilum var. roseum Epidendrum macrochilum var. albopurpurea Epidendrum cordigerum Epidendrum macrochilum Encyclia doeringii Encyclia macrochila Encyclia cordigera var. rosea Epidendrum atropurpureum var. roseum Encyclia cordigera h.v. randii In Nicaragua - Flor de Encarnacion in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Departamento del Huila - Colombia Mexico

General Information

Large is a sympodial intermediate to hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Colombia and Mexico.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 30-60cm. Each new growth has numerous leathery leaves that grow to 15-47cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 3-11cm

Flowers

Numerous long lasting, fragrant blossoms appear

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark

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.

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

These orchids thrive in hot, steamy locations, living in low altitude jungle areas where they often receive heavy sporadic rainfall, warm humid winds, and sunlight filtered year round by the surrounding growth. 

They can survive, but will often struggle if the humid, warm conditions are not met - roots will die back and leaves will thin out, spikes and buds can be aborted if conditions change too frequently during flowering. They can tolerate cooler or drier conditions temporarily, but extended exposure will seriously affect them.

They will grow best in the tropics, especially coastal areas where they receive ocean breezes, but can do well in a greenhouse, supplied that the humidity is kept high, temperature is not allowed to skyrocket and extra shade is provided during hot weather.

 

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 5mm to 328mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 62% to 80%, highest in September and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 16C to 34C, highest in March (19C to 34C) and lowest in January (16C to 31C).

Watering

These orchids are sensitive to excessive watering and should only be watered when they look thirsty. Water infrequently and ensure that the roots are dry before watering. Keep an eye on them especially during hot weather as overwatering can lead to rot, whereas underwatering may result in wilting or shriveling, which while unattractive, will not kill the plant.

Keep moisture levels up during hot weather as the plant is prone to dehydration

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.

Be sure to flush out excess fertiliser by running water through the media regularly year round. 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,