Encyclia asperula - Asperulous Encyclia flowers are longlasting, well-open, semi-fragrant. The sepals and petals are green, sometimes with brown...
Encyclia asperula, also called as Asperulous Encyclia, is a species in the genus Encyclia. This species was described by Robert Louis Dressler and Glenn E. Pollard in 1974.
DESCRIPTION OF ENCYCLIA ASPERULA - ASPERULOUS ENCYCLIA
Encyclia asperula is native to Mexico (Chiapas) to Honduras. It is found growing in elfin forest, tropical rain forest and mountain rain forest in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico Southeast at elevations of 350-1250 meters above sea level.
It is a small, compact hot to cool growing epiphyte with subglobose to ovoid-pyriform, slightly rugose pseudobulbs that are covered by scariose sheaths. The single leaf is apical, linear, acute, fleshy-coriaceous, rigid, conduplicate below into the petiole-like base.
Asperulous Encyclia blooms in late winter and spring from the racemose, 10 cm long, 2-9 flowered inflorescence with verrucose, purplish peduncle and zigzag rachis that arise on a mature pseudobulb. The flowers are longlasting, well-open, semi-fragrant, 2.5-3 cm in diameter. The sepals and petals are green, sometimes with brown stripes, the lip white, striped with purple at the bases of the lateral lobes, and the conspicuous column wings.
ENCYCLIA ASPERULA - ASPERULOUS ENCYCLIA CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Encyclia asperula - Asperulous Encyclia needs a light level of 25000-35000 lux. The light should be filtered or diffused and the plants should not be exposed to direct midday sun. Strong air movement should be provided all the time.
Temperature:
In summer, the average day temperature is 27-30 °C, and the night 17-19 °C, with a daily amplitude of 8-10 °C. In winter the average daytime temperatures are 25-27 °C, and 16-18 °C during the night, while the daily amplitude is 8-11 °C.
Humidity:
Asperulous Encyclia needs the humidity of 80% in the period of growth, in winter and spring it falls to 60-70%. Too dry air has a negative effect on the development of the plant: its growth is inhibited, and the leaves begin to turn yellow and dry out. The higher temperature, the higher the humidity should be, and the higher the humidity, the more often and longer it is necessary to ventilate the room where the plants are contained, otherwise the probability of rotting and various kinds of fungal diseases. Good air movement is essential while the plants are in leaf and growing.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Encyclia asperula are most often grown in pots or baskets with a very thick, loose and well-drained substrate. There should be plenty of space in the pots to allow the roots to dry quickly after watering. It is recommended to use smaller pots sufficient for only one or two years of growth, because the substrate in larger pots remains wet after watering for too long. Roots that do not dry out quickly enough after watering rot. Most growers recommend medium grain bark, though others prefer medium cork pieces mixed with large lumps of charcoal.
The plants also grow well mounted on tree-fern or cork rootstocks, provided that high humidity is ensured. Fixed plants require high humidity and at least daily watering in summer, and in the case of dry and hot weather, it may be necessary to water several times a day.
Transplanting or splitting is best done when new roots begin to emerge, or immediately after blooming. This allows the plants to acclimate in a relatively short time and provides them with the least stress.
Watering:
The plants should be watered abundantly during active growth, but their roots must dry out quickly after watering. At the end of autumn, the amount of water should be gradually reduced.
Fertilizer:
Asperulous Encyclia should be fertilized every week 1/4-1/2 of the recommended dose of fertilizer for orchids. A fertilizer with a high nitrogen content is beneficial from spring to mid-summer, and a phosphorus-rich fertilizer can be used in late summer and autumn. Higher phosphorus content stimulates better flowering in the next season and promotes hardening of new growth before winter.
To avoid the accumulation of mineral deposits during periods of strong fertilization, it is recommended to rinse the containers approximately every month.
Rest period:
Encyclia asperula grown in cool conditions should be kept relatively dry in winter, with occasional fogging between rare waterings. However, those grown in warmer conditions need more water and significant drying up between waterings. However, it must not be allowed keep them dry for a long time. Fertilization should be reduced or eliminated until new growths appear and watering begins more abundantly in the spring.
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