Encyclia tampensis

[Cjcorner]

We have had a couple tornados go through last year and a large tree full of Tampensis went down. I called AOS, the local orchid group (noone showed, or called me back). So finally I called a local nursery owner/friend that has her own greenhouses and begged for help. She and her husband single handedly saved about two dozen recycle bins worth of tempensis clumps. I got a bucket or two and we got them transferred around our county onto live oaks. This section is adorning a live oak in my back yard. It used to have a long limb that jutted sideways 10-12 ft. It got cut off and since then it has begun growing upwards again. I chose that tree to mount the largest clump on and it took. A few other clumps got dragged off by squirrels...and i'm hoping they carried them to higher branches for me. Today I discovered this amazing sight...

[Chris1140]

There's no stopping that orchid! I really like the blooms on it.

[Cjcorner]

There's no stopping that orchid! I really like the blooms on it.

The only thing I do not understand is how there are two color flowers coming off of the same spikes. I need to check again in a couple days, maybe they were pollinated or something.

[Nataliwind]

Wonderful plant!
I have this species, too (of course... I do live in Tampa bay!) and love it very much. Mine plant is in bloom now, too. I love how it smells!

The only thing I do not understand is how there are two color flowers coming off of the same spikes. I need to check again in a couple days, maybe they were pollinated or something.

Connie,
I asked the same question a few years ago. One of experienced orchid growers told me that a flower turns yellow after pollen was taken away. As for me, it is still a mystery or something like that.

[gnathaniel]

Beautiful, Connie! I love tampensis, not the showiest of Encyclias but it really packs a visual and olfactory punch for the size.

Very cool that you and your friends were able to rehome so many plants from that fallen tree. My in-laws live in Valrico and used to be in S. Tampa, I've looked and looked for wild tampensis but never found any so I went ahead and naturalized some flask-grown seedlings in their yard. I hope they'll go to seed and spread around the area. I also got about a dozen Epi. nocturnum established but last I checked the tree-rats (squirrels) had ripped out all but one...

[glenyorl1]

Connie those are so cool. Living in Florida I have always wanted wild orchids. I had friends with a hunting camp in Ocala and there were tons of them. It was private property and I believe they were destroyed when the land got developed. I wish I could have saved them :-(

[rich63]

That is one happy plant. I too would be happy living in your backyard ! Good to see this one flourishing. Take Care, Rich

[RedEcho]

Its amazing that I actually bought mine,,,seems like they fall off of trees where you live.

[Amy61]

impressive work and beautiful blooms!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Stunning and well done Connie. It looks so happy.

cheers,
BD