Encyclia cordigera

Japanese name: エンキクリア コルディゲラ
Scientific name: Encyclia cordigera

[Overview]
An evergreen perennial.
An epiphytic orchid.
The pseudobulbs are ovoid pear-shaped, about 13 cm long, and bear 2 leaves at the tip.
The leaves are linear-lanceolate, about 40 cm long, and leathery.
A slender flower stalk about 40 cm long is produced, bearing 4–13 flowers in a raceme.
The flowers are about 5 cm across; the dorsal sepal, lateral sepals and lateral petals are almost identical in shape and color, dark brown and spatulate-lanceolate.
The lip projects forward and is 3-lobed, white with dark purple stripes.
The flowers are fragrant.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by division or by removing offsets.
It is desirable to keep it at 13°C or above.
Grow it in a sunny, well-ventilated place.
Strong summer sun can cause leaf scorch, so provide light shading.
In winter, bring it into a sunny place indoors.
Without enough sun, it flowers poorly.
Plant it in sphagnum moss, fine bark, osmunda fiber or pumice.
From spring to summer, water thoroughly when the surface of the potting material dries; when temperatures drop, keep it somewhat on the dry side.
If aerial roots have appeared, water them as well.
Apply slow-release fertilizer in spring, and liquid fertilizer once a week from spring to autumn.
Pests and diseases include virus disease, spider mites, scale insects, aphids and slugs.

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