Encyclia tampensis (Florida Butterfly Orchid) is a fragrant, heat-tolerant, native epiphytic orchid found in Florida and the Bahamas. It thrives in bright light, requiring high air circulation and mounting on wood (driftwood/baskets) for best growth, with summer blooms. It prefers moderate to high humidity and to dry between waterings.Key Care Information for Encyclia tampensis:Light: Bright, filtered light (can handle near full sun).Water: Needs regular water during growth but requires drying between waterings. Keep on the drier side, especially in winter.Mounting: Best mounted on wood, such as cedar boards, coconut husks, or cypress.Humidity/Air: Requires high humidity and excellent air circulation.Temperature: Thrives in warm climates (summer temperatures \(71\text{--}85^{\circ}\text{F}\) or \(22\text{--}30^{\circ}\text{C}\)).Fertilizer: Light feeding, often weekly with half-strength, or rarely depending on setup.Characteristics:Flowers: Small (\(1.2\text{--}1.6\) inches), honey-scented, greenish-bronze sepals with a white lip often marked with purple.Blooming Season: Late spring to summer, peaking in June.Structure: Dark green, terete, or ovoid pseudobulbs with 1-3 tough, linear leaves.Protection Status: Regulated in Florida; it is protected from over-collecting in the wild.Propagation and Growth:E. tampensis is often propagated by division, requiring at least 3-4 pseudobulbs per section.It is known to grow from seed, with flowers showing slight variations, including rare forms such as alba.It is commonly found in nature on live oak, mahogany, and palm trees