encyclia-alata

The genus Encyclia is considerd a ''classic'' among orchids-after all ,it has been known by this name for almost 180 years . The plants are popular with cultivators because they usually have very showy and fragrant flowers and tolerate various cultivation errors ,E. alata is not among the most frequently cultivated species ,as it is too bulky to fit into standard amateur collections . The species forms conic pseudobulbs(up to 4 in /10cm across) topped with 2-3 tough leaves that reach lengths of up to 16 in/40 cm . The inforescence is branched and can reach a length of over 40 in/1 meter and bear 15-20 flowers . The color of the flower varies greatly ;usually they are yellow -and -green with brownish edges of the tepals and a white lip with rufous venation . In the wild,the species oftern inhabits extreme locatons,such as semi-deciduous (in other words ,heavily isolated ) trees right on the seacoast .It therefore requires pleny of light . Grow it epiphytically ,but water it rather sparingly,especially when the orchid is not in growth . Flowers appear between May and October and the species is known to grown in Central America,in the area between Mexico and Nicaragua.