Enc. cochleata

[Hummer344]

My comet orchid has been blooming since Oct. 2006. By the time the old spikes quit blooming, new spikes were opening up(Sept 2007). I have new s/b with sheaths now and expect spikes on those in the coming months. Mind you, I am not complaining--------- But, should I rest this plant. By that I mean cut any new spikesand, possibly, cut off the old spikes. Then the plant would have a period of rest before spiking again. The plant is healthy although I probably should repot it this spring.
Maybe I am over thinking this but would like some input.
Thanks
David

[articuno75]

If you do decide to cut or divide, would you keep me in mind for any extras?

[jbigio]

That plant can keep blooming for years with what seem to be little if any harm. Just keep doing what you do. All the refrence books say the samething and the webs say dont cut the spikes.

[kmarch]

Encyclia cochleata, as a member of the Cattleya Alliance, doesn't really need a rest period. Just let it go and do it's thing, let it spike and let the spikes it has continue to bloom. If you have good culture you won't be depleting the plant's reserves by letting it bloom. Enc. cochleata can be in bloom for years.

Not all orchids need rest periods. The orchids that do need rest periods are those that come from regions where the seasons (be they warm/cold or wet/dry) are very pronounced. Mormodes for example which go through a dry, dry summer or Dendrobium nobile which experiences a cold dry winter in its native habitat.

Enjoy your flowers!

[Hummer344]

Oh Goody,
I can keep everything.LOL
Jenny,
I might up pot it but I don't think I will be dividing it for awhile. Sorry.

[articuno75]

Bummer.... It's okay.....Worth a shot though right?

[exasperatus2002]

if its been doing this for 2 yrs and its ok. I'd keep up the good work.

[_cor]

I think this has also had a genus name change from Encyclia to Prosthechea

[patticake]

Encyclia cochleata is on my wish list. I need to wait a while though. I've gone a little crazy lately! Sounds like your plant likes you! Keep up the good work!

[evagentry]

Blooms for years? Sounds like something to add to the collection!

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by _cor

I think this has also had a genus name change from Encyclia to Prosthechea

_cor is correct. All of the cockleshell encyclias have been transfered to the genus Prostechea. This includes species like cochleata, lancefolia, chacoensis, fragrans, and about another dozen or so.

[sandra]

Yea, this one is on the top of my wish list too. I'm hoping the local vendors around here will get this in by Spring and if not, I'll do some internet shopping. This is a must-have.

Sounds like you're doing everything right for it Hummer. Great growing!

[Hummer344]

There is one warning about this plant. It oozes a LOT of sap. If you want to diplay it be sure to put something down to protect what ever piece of furniture you have it on. The sap is easily cleaned up with a damp cloth.

[janet_a]

Originally Posted by kmarch

_cor is correct. All of the cockleshell encyclias have been transfered to the genus Prostechea. This includes species like cochleata, lancefolia, chacoensis, fragrans, and about another dozen or so.

oh bloody hell. i'm just going to call them all 'fred.'

[articuno75]

Originally Posted by janet_a

oh bloody hell. i'm just going to call them all 'fred.'

You call all yours 'fred', I'll call all mine 'kevin' , LoL

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by janet_a

oh bloody hell. i'm just going to call them all 'fred.'

No, don't call them fred because I'll get them confused with that guy in Tasmania who runs that web forum for all those orchid weirdos. Either that or I'll confuse them with the very first algae eater, which I named fred, I had for my very first aquarium when I was a kid.

Prostechea is much easier for me to keep straight. And it fits so nicely and neatly on a post-it note.

[berkeleysgr8]

Psst... Oak Hill sells the cochleatas and fragrans. I bought 5 cochleatas last year because I couldn't resist the wholesale price (darn this orchid addiction!).