Encyclia alata

[StephaneL]

My Encyclia alata is blooming.

[Keysguy]

Yowzer, look at those roots!
That's a happy plant.

[Dollythehun]

How long did that take and what are your conditions? I have one that's reluctant to bloom. Very nice.

[DirtyCoconuts]

most excellent!

[StephaneL]

Thank you all for the compliments!

@Dollythehun: It was in bloom when I bought it 2 years ago, so I cannot tell you how long in takes to grow to blooming size. (Thanks to Odom's orchids for sending my a blooming plant while I only ordered a blooming size orchid.)

At first I put the Encyclia in front of a south east facing window where it received about 2 hours of direct sunlight every day. It did not bloom for me last year.

I then moved it in front of a south west facing window where it gets up to 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. As you can see in the picture, the leafs got slightly yellow, and even have a few black spots, but it bloomed this year.

I should add that I live in Southern California but I am close to the coast, so despite almost constant sunlight, it rarely gets really warm; even in the middle of the summer temperatures rarely get above 25C (high 70s F).

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by StephaneL

I then moved it in front of a south west facing window where it gets up to 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. As you can see in the picture, the leafs got slightly yellow, and even have a few black spots, but it bloomed this year.

I should add that I live in Southern California but I am close to the coast, so despite almost constant sunlight, it rarely gets really warm; even in the middle of the summer temperatures rarely get above 25C (high 70s F).

Coastal southern California, it should do fine outside (even in winter), if you have available space. If you do decide to move it, this is the perfect time of year, before the summer sun becomes intense and nights are not too cold... by fall, it will be well-acclimated as the nights cool. (Does depend on where on the coast... your description of summer temperatures sounds like San Diego, central coast, or San Francisco)

[StephaneL]

@Roberta: I live in the Greater Los Angeles. Unfortunately my apartment does not have any outdoor space. I hope one day to be able to move to something better and try growing orchids that need more sun like vandas.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by StephaneL

@Roberta: I live in the Greater Los Angeles. Unfortunately my apartment does not have any outdoor space. I hope one day to be able to move to something better and try growing orchids that need more sun like vandas.

The story of my life... I was living in a condo when I first got hooked on orchids. Eventually (like after about 10 years), I was able to acquire a house with a yard to accommodate them. But it got pretty crowded first. Take inspiration from this poem...

[isurus79]

Very nice! Love the scent on this species!

[StephaneL]

Two more pictures now that all the blooms are opened.