Encyclia phoenicea

Also known as: Phoenician Encyclia or Epidendrum grahamii Encyclia duboisiana Encyclia oblongata Epidendrum duboisianum Epidendrum oblongatum Epidendrum phoeniceum Epidendrum phoeniceum var. vanillosmum Chocolate Orchid In Cuba - Flor de San Pedro - Orquedea Vainilla - Orquedea de chocolate in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Provincia de Camagueey - Cuba

General Information

Phoenician Encyclia is a warm to hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Cuba.

Plant Description

Each new growth has numerous leathery rigid, oblong shaped leaves that grow to 1.7-30cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 4-6cm

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant. The fragrance can be described as strong

Care Notes

These orchids have a fine root system that can quickly die back if left dry for too long, but also does not like to be kept wet, so water regularly but ensure that the mix is dry before watering. 

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low elevations. Rainfall ranges from 36mm to 267mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in February. Humidity ranges from 75% to 83%, highest in October and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 18C to 33C, highest in July (23C to 33C) and lowest in January (18C to 28C).

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,

This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted to Cork slabs.