Encyclia cochleata pseudo on pseudo?

[Orchidity]

Greetings,

This is new to my collection this spring, and watering this morning I noticed that there is a pseudobulb growing from another pseudobulb that lost its leaf (there are actually two like this on the plant). I thought I would ask - is this normal? An indication of stress? Perhaps overwatering during winter rest period? The plant has been repotted into a slightly larger basket than the pot it was in, would overcrowding cause this?

I'm given to believe that any new growth is good, but ya never know...

Thanks in advance.

[Hummer344]

I have had this type of orchid for several years now and have never seen what you have. I imagine its a normal varient.

[kmarch]

It's interesting.... I've grown Encyclia cochleata (both the regular and the alba) and lots of other "cockle-shell" encyclias like lancifolia, fragrans, etc., but I've never seen this.

You can be sure it's not too much water during the rest period because they don't have much of a rest period. I watered mine evenly year-round.

From what I can see of the rest of your plant it appears to be healthy. Is it producing normal growths too?

[Orchidity]

The plant appears healthy. Now that I'm growing a bit smarter, I should probably have split the plant when repotting into two. Between outside mature pseudobulbs there are eight others, which are a bit crowded in the middle. The two with dual pseudobulbs are both newest growth. Crowding could possibly be the cause, but then why would leaf drop from pseudobulb, and rather than die out it grow another pseudobulb (newbie question, I suppose)?

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by Orchidity

The plant appears healthy. Now that I'm growing a bit smarter, I should probably have split the plant when repotting into two. Between outside mature pseudobulbs there are eight others, which are a bit crowded in the middle.

Those smaller bulbs in the centre of the plant look like they are the bulbs produced when the plant was seedling size, before it got big enough to bloom. I do not think it was a mistake to leave them. The will store some nutrients and water for the plant and when they are no longer needed, they will dry up and die.

Originally Posted by Orchidity

The two with dual pseudobulbs are both newest growth. Crowding could possibly be the cause, but then why would leaf drop from pseudobulb, and rather than die out it grow another pseudobulb (newbie question, I suppose)?

You're question is not a newbie question. In my experience (limited to about 5 of these kinds of Encyclias over the course of about 5-6 years) this is not typical behavior. It's unusual. Normally the flower spike would come from the top of the pseudobulb, not another pseudobulb.

Is this the first time it has done this?

[Orchidity]

Hi Kevin, thanks for the advice, I will leave the plant potted as it is.

I have only had the plant for about six weeks, but looking at other pseudobulbs growing from the base it is only the two newest growths with the second growing from it.

I found nothing on the larger internet mentioning this occurrence, though it is an extremely difficult thing to search for. I need some good books

[shiningrock]

I have the same thing appearing on Iwanagara Apple Blossom 'Fantastic'. I have got it that way and was wondering myself if it is normal. There is three pseudobulbs growing on top of each other ( see attached picture). Other than that the plant looks healthy.

Sorry it doesn't let me upload pics it says wrong format eventhough it's jpg file.

[kmarch]

Well although odd, I certainly wouldn't think it's harmful so I don't think there is any cause for concern. Since you have had your plant for only 6 weeks it's not had time enough to see it through a complete growth cycle. I suspect it will produce normal growths in time.

Originally Posted by Orchidity

I found nothing on the larger internet mentioning this occurrence, though it is an extremely difficult thing to search for. I need some good books

Yeah, the internet is patchy with regard to reliable orchid info. You're quite correct to look for a few good reliable books.

[shiningrock]

gave it another try. this is the picture of Iwanagara Apple Blossom 'Fantastic' with three pseudobulbs growing on top of each other.