Epicyclia Serena O'Neill

Epicyclia Serena O'Neill is a cross between Epicyclia Mabel Kanda and Encyclia cordigera.  Encyclia cordigera is a popular Encyclia species that is found in many Encyclia hybrids.  It is native is Southern Mexico and Central America.  Epicyclia Mabel Kanda is a cross between Encyclia cordigera and Epidendrum densiflorum.  Epidendrum densiflorum is native to Ecuardor.  So from this information one can tell that Epicyclia Serena O'Neil is about 3/4 Encyclia cordigera.  Epicyclia Serena O'Neil likes warm temperatures, but I have never had any problem with leaving it outdoors during the coldest of Miami winters. (never below freezing).   It also likes dapples sunlight or high indirect light.  I grow mine in a plastic basket filled with tree fern fiber.  Encyclias generally like to dry out well between watering and some of them like a winter rest in order to bloom well.  However, I have noticed with this particular hybrid that it is important to not deprived this orchid of water during the winter as much as other Encyclias.  I have an Encyclia Lee Ward that absolutely will not bloom unless it stays dry all winter long.  I always cut back on the watering of the Epicyclia Serena O'Neill during the winter months; however, if I let is dry as much as the Lee Ward, the pseudobulbs shrivel too much, very few new growths will initiate in the spring, and the blooms will be very poor.  The lesson is to cut back on water but not completely.  I have also found that during its blooming and growth stage that this hybrid likes quite a bit of water, more than many other Encyclia hybrids.  Good growing.  Enjoy.