Seedlings of the species Encyclia alata. I've crossed my two best plants. Both have excellent colour, with dark, rich chocolatey red-browns, and a yellowish centre.
This species is native to the Mexican peninsula - it occurs in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panamá. It's a warm to hot grower, although we've never had any difficulties with it under shadecloth at the nursery. We have winter temperatures down to zero a few times a year.
They grow as epiphytes on trees, or occasionally in soil. They have tall, branched flower spikes.
These are established in 80mm pots.
