Encyclia orchids

Encyclia is a New World genus of around one hundred and fifty species, native from southern Florida through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and into South America. Plants produce roundish pseudobulbs with one or two tough leaves and send up flower spikes that often bloom over extended periods, producing new flowers sequentially from the same inflorescence over weeks or months.

The genus was historically part of Epidendrum, from which it was split on the basis of its distinct lip morphology. Many older catalogues still list Encyclias under the older name. Most species are fragrant, and many are surprisingly tough for lowland epiphytes.

General care for the genus (species, hybrids and cultivars vary, so check with the grower for a specific plant): bright light (2,500 to 3,500 footcandles), intermediate to warm temperatures, distinct watering and rest cycles (heavy water during active growth, much drier in winter), 50 to 65 percent humidity. Medium bark in small pots, or mounts for species that prefer to dry rapidly.

The "cockleshell orchid", Belize's national flower, was long sold as Encyclia cochleata but has been Prosthechea cochleata since 1997; see Prosthechea. Well-known species still in Encyclia include Encyclia cordigera, Encyclia tampensis, and Encyclia alata. Listings below come from the nurseries we index, most of them re-checked nightly; prices are shown in USD.