Encyclia altissima

Lambert · #11 05-25-2008, 07:17 PM

Well you have a challenge on your hands, this is a difficult one to grow.
I am no specialist but from what I read on this encylia, I would not spray it everyday, just very, very sparingly. You could put a little moss. You may have been too generous with your waterings. Keep us posted on your progress, I am really curious.

bc_bareroots · #12 05-28-2008, 07:24 AM

I was curious after reading this thread and did a little searching and found the following

Quote:

Found in Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands in xerophytic, low woody, bushy and cacti coppices at the base of trees and the roots anchored onto it and into the coral below at elevations under 10 meters as a giant sized hot to warm growing litho-epiphyte with upright reddish, tall psuedobulbs carrying 2 to 3 apical, erect, stiff leaves from which the plant blooms in the late winter on a terminal, erect, paniculate, several to many [to 200] flowered, 66 to 98" [3 to 4 meters] long, twining inflorescence with super fragrant, highly variable flowers reminiscent of honey and beeswax. This species needs to be grown like a cactus, especially in the winter as it occurs in an area that has 40 to 60% humidity through the night and 5 to 10% through the daylight hours. The area has very little real rainfall so watering like any other Encyclia will cause major fungus amongus.

Synonyms *Epidendrum altissimum Bateman 1838; Epidendrum hodgeanum Hawkes 1956; Encyclia hodgeana [Hawkes] Beckner 1970

The interesting part is the elevation that it grows at, under 10 meters (32.81'). The elevation in Dallas, Texas is 430' (131 meters). That is a substantial difference. Also, growing like a cactus is quite different than my experience with most Encyclias. The term xerophytic means: a plant adapted for life and growth with a limited water supply.

With that said, I would keep the roots bare and cut back watering to about once every 3-4 days and see how it goes.

Then I would hang this little guy about 400 feet below sea level :P
On a serious note, maybe someone with more experience can explain what effects the difference in elevation will have on orchids.

Dallasgarden · #13 05-28-2008, 04:14 PM

BC,
Thanks for the great info. From what it says, I think my greatest crime was wetting it too much over the winter and spring. I wonder if I should move it to stronger sun?

Becky15349 · #14 05-28-2008, 05:08 PM

This may be completely wrong and out of context, but I was given an Encyclia recently...and it came from a woman's garden in florida. It was planted in the ground... As in, it received full sun and was relatively dry and humid except for the rainy season (and during this period, it showed very little growth)....so maybe some more light might not hurt?