Encyleyvola Surprise (stick mounted near blooming size)

Pictured is a sampling of first blooming seedlings from this cross. They start blooming when small, then mature to flower in clusters as the inset photo shows. FREQUENT BLOOMS! This cross was originally registered by Bill Osment in 1970, a hybridizer specializing in orchids native to the Caribbean, and unusual hybrids derived from them. There are no photos available of this original cross, so we are not sure what the ‘surprise’ was! We don’t know if he used the normal form of E. plicata or the ‘alba’ form like we did. We doubt there was a tetraploid (4n) form of Bc. Binosa available, which has larger, more numerous flowers with very heavy substance.

These have shown extraordinary vigor and most have reached blooming size less than two years out of flask! The Encyclia parent will make the plants somewhat shorter and chunkier than Bc. Binosa so we expect this hybrid to stay nicely compact. We are finding that once these reach blooming size, they flower on each new growth as it matures, regardless of the season of the year. Mature plants will easily carry 7 to 10 flowers per spike, and at least some have carried an interesting mint fragrance with a hint of vanilla. These are far more interesting and beautiful in person than in the photos and whenever we have them in bloom at shows they are the first things to sell!