Epidendrum albertii

This small-flowered species is rare in cultivation and a compact grower. This species is also known as Albert's Epidendrum and is found growing in Costa Rica south to Ecuador. Epidendrum albertii grows from 500 to 1500 meters in elevation on rocks near humid streams or on trees in wet forests.

Epidendrum albertii has flattened, cane-like stems that are covered in many leafy sheaths. Leaves are green on top and reddish on the underside. The flowers of Epidendrum albertii are small and produced on a short flower stem. Most plants produce one flower per stem. Blooms in the fall.

Provide warm or intermediate growing temperatures and bright light. Mount Epidendrum albertii on a cork or tree fern mount and provide regular water and misting. Fertilize evenly throughout the year. This species likes heat and humidity.

Book Review: The Classic Cattleyas

The Classic Cattleyas

I saw this book at the Atlanta Botanical Garden a few months ago and was stunned at how beautiful the book was. The author has a great deal of experience in with Cattleyas and liberally expands the definition to include some related species.

Here is the publisher's description:
In 1818, William Cattley succeeded in flowering one of the first species of the genus that would bear his name. These first cattleyas are the classic cattleyas, whose form defined the essence of tropical orchids for generations to come. Indeed, the color of their flowers became known as "orchid." In this helpful and informative book, each classic Cattleya species is described in fascinating detail, and its role in breeding programs is elucidated. All that is required to appreciate and grow the large-flowered cattleyas successfully is included. Cultivation, humidity and watering, fertilizing, propagation, and diagnosing and treating problems are detailed, making this volume valuable for both veteran orchid enthusiasts and those who simply love these beautiful flowers.

Here is a partial review from Orchids magazine:

"Another in the long line of fine horticulture books from this publisher. Everything about this book simply screams, 'Read me.' While the main focus of the book is on the species, Chadwick also discusses the early days of cattleya hybridizing, giving a wonderfully accurate picture of how we arrived at the dizzying breadth and range of colors now seen."—Ned Nash, Orchids, May 2006 (Ned Nash Orchids )

This book is a "must-have" for the Cattleya lover!

Rhyncholaelia glauca

This species is also know as the Glaucous Beaked Laelia and is found growing in Guatemala and Mexico. Rhyncholaelia glauca grows on trees in mountain forests from near sea level to 1500 meters. The original plants were discovered growing near Veracruz, Mexico.
Plants are medium-sized and look a lot like unifoliate Cattleya orchids. This species was thought to be a Cattleya species until it flowered when it was first imported to England.

Flower grow to 5 inches (12 cm) wide. The flower of Rhyncholaelia glauca has apple green petals and a white, heart-shaped lip. The margin of the lip is complete, not heavily fringed like Rhyncholaelia digbyana. Occasionally, some flowers will have a pink cast. Flowers are very fragrant and have a sweet scent. Flowers have a heavy waxy substance and are long-lived. Blooms in late Spring to Summer.

Provide warm or intermediate growing temperatures. This plant grows best mounted on cork bark, tree fern plaques, or slatted baskets. Provide high light and good air circulation. The roots need to dry between watering. Few hybrids have been made using this species.

Cattleya dormaniana

This species is also known as Dorman's Cattleya and is native to the jungles of Brazil. Cattleya dormaniana is found growing Organ Mountains in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro thriving at moderate elevation in humid conditions.

Cattleya dormaniana is a medium-sized bifoliate Cattleya and has slender, cane-like pseudobulbs with two narrow leaves on top.

Flowers grow to 3 inch (8 cm) and are fragrant. The richly colored bronze flowers of Cattleya dormaniana are pleasantly accented with a ruby or magenta lip. Only one or two flowers are produced by each growth.  Blooms in autumn.

Provide intermediate to warm orchid growing temperatures for best results. In its native environment, summer days average 82-84 F (28-29 C), and nights average 71-72 F (22 C), with a diurnal range of 11-12 F (6-7 C). Winter days in its habitat average 77-79 F (25-26 C), and nights average 64-65 F (17-19 C), with a diurnal range of 9-11 F (5-6 C).

Provide average to bright Cattleya light. Provide 80-85 percent humidity for most of the year. Its acceptable for summer humidity to drop into the 75-80 percent range. Cattleya dormaniana should be watered regularly throughout the year, but they must dry rapidly after watering. Make sure that the plants never stay dry for long periods of time, however. Divide, repot, or remount only when new root growth is just starting. This lets the plant become established in the shortest possible time with the greatest success. Easy to grow.

Growing Cattleya Orchids Outdoors in Houston, Texas

I found this blog post about growing Cattleya orchids outdoors in Houston, Texas.  The author was able to get them through a winter outdoors with just a little winter protection.  Its worth a read.

Euchile mariae - Maria's Euchile

Euchile mariae is also known as Maria's Euchile. This species is native to Mexico where it grows on oak trees in dry oak forests in northwest Mexico.

Plants are medium-sized. Euchile mariae has pseudobulbs that have two or three grayish-green leaves.

Flowers grow to 3 inches in diameter and are fragrant. The flowers of Euchile mariae are produced on 5 to 12 inch (11-30 cm) long flower stem that has between one and five blooms. The flowers have green petals and sepals and a broad white lip and bloom in the pring Spring and Summer.

Provide high light (brighter than normal Cattleya conditions) for best results. Euchile mariae does best when grown mounted on driftwood or cork bark. Provide bright light and a dry winter rest. This species was first discovered in 1937.

This species is also know as Encyclia mariae, Epidendrum mariae, or Prosthechea mariae.

For more information:
Cattleya Orchid Source
Cattleya Source Wiki

Encyclia alata - Winged Encyclia Orchid

Encyclia alata is also know as the winged Encyclia Orchid.

This lovely species is native from Mexico south to Costa Rica. Encyclia alata grows in open forests at low elevation. Usually, it grows on trees but it has been reported growing occasionally in as a terrestrial plant.

The flowers grow to 2 inches (5 cm) wide. The flower color and shape vary considerably between individuals. Generally, the flowers are long-lasting and fragrant. Encyclia alata produces a tall, branched inflorescence that produces numerous flowers from spring to fall.

Encyclia alata is a popular species because it is easy to grow and produces numerous, fragrant flowers. Grow mounted, in slatted baskets, or in clay or plastic pots in a loose, open media. Water liberally while producing new growth and less during the rest of the year. It likes heat and humidity. Large specimen plants are quite impressive.

Click on the links below for more information on Encyclia orchid species.

www.cattleyaorchidsource.com