Encyclia cordigera

I’ve 2 Encyclia cordigera plants and both of them are in season now. One of them is actually in bloom. The flowers has a slight fragrance detected only at close quarters.

This species can be found naturally in Mexico, Central America, Columbia & Venezuela. It a sympodial with a walnut sized oval psuedobulb and flowers will grow from the top of a mature psuedobulb. A healthy plant can produce up to 15 long lasting flowers.

My plant is grown in a 5 inch pot with crushed tree fern bark as medium. A book “100 Orchids for the American Gardener” (available from National Library) recommends to mount this plant on bark instead. The key is to give sufficient moisture to ensure that the psuedobulbs do not shrivel up and good circulation around the plant. The book also recommends 50% shade. Mine is hung at the edge of a planter rack with shade cloth and I am sure they are accustomed to more light.

The genus Encyclia has approximately 242 species and are natives of Mexico, West Indies, Central and South America. Some of the species were classified under the genus Epidendrum in the pass and in fact, Encyclia cordigera was known as Epidendrum atropurpureum. The flowers of this genus are mostly honey brown, cream, yellow and rose shades. Many species produces fragrant flowers. Encyclia fragrans is one such plant which can be seen in the Orchidarium section of the National Orchid Garden.