Encyclia cochleatum (or whatever they are called now)

[Paphraguy]

Originally posted by Jmoney
I hope they don't smell like octopuses.

To me, the blooms have a faint lilac like fragrance only during the day when it is warm and humid.

[prem]

The color on mine is a deep purple, almost black with yellowish veining in the lip:



The scent on these can be highly variable...mine has a rather unpleasant odor....not like fish, but similar to decaying vegetable matter. The kids say it smells like an "old poopy diaper".

---Prem

[pretty_bug01]

Darn, I thought they were cool. I guess scent will deter me from buying one.

[LJA]

I don't know what color it is because I'm color deficient, remember?

Sorry Pete. From that forum colors post, I thought you only had trouble with reds and greens, didn't realize.....

Anyway, yours looks like it has a very dark blue lip in the picture, with a gold fishnet pattern superimposed on top of it, and the lip on Prem's looks more purple and green.

It's not an issue; you'll just have to send me the plant so I can see for myself!

[Heather]

Interesting, the variance in smell. Sounds as though Pete's wins out in that department!

[OrchidTraci]

That is great. I love the purple and yellow in it!

[Paphraguy]

lja, I have problem with reds and greens and any colors associated to those two colors, like purple and to me, purple looks black. I looked at them again yesterday and yes they still look black but if I look at them up close outdoors, they appear blue to me because purple also look blue to me sometimes.

I have also asked the guy who gave me that division and he said that the colors vary considerably from plant to plant and light also plays an important role in bloom colors.

[prem]

bug, the scent is not very strong on cochleata, and only there during the late AM hours. As long as you don't stick your nose right in the flower, you won't be offended at all.

---Prem

[OrchidTraci]

Originally posted by Paphraguy
I have seen this species growing wild in the Florida wilderness. To me, the small fragrant blooms look like octopi and are sometimes commonly called the Octopus orchid. Mine is in spike again and can stay in bloom for months.

I am now a proud owner of one. What do you have your potted in?

[Paphraguy]

That is wonderful! Kids love these little octopus like blooms. I grow mine in regular bark mix. Post a pic if you can.