Mike's Encyclia Atronecium

[mayres]

I received my hybrids Thursday 4/3/08 and initially kept them as delivered - to be repotted in the upcoming weeks as time allowed.
Last Saturday I made the effort to get my project Encyclia repotted in fresh media and a slightly larger pot. I then placed it in an east window on a bed of rocks.
Pictures below show the root structure of the plant along with a small new growth, then the same thing with the overall leaf structure, and finally the repotted plant. Now we wait and see what happens!
132 041205 02a.jpg 132 041208 03a.jpg132 041208 04a.jpg

[articuno75]

Mike~ Your little growth is almost in the same spot as mine! They could pass off as twins!

[mayres]

Yes, I was thinking the same thing when I was admiring your GREAT mounting job!

[mayres]

This little baby is a grower! But NOT a bloomer! Any ideas?
I repotted today and what healthy roots.......best I have I think!
But.......no flowers yet.......
Not enough light???????????

[Shannara]

Where is it growing? Inside or out? I would think it needs more light if it's indoors. Or maybe if it is indoor's it does not feel temperature changes. I would think it needs at least morning sun and could be acclimated to more.

Nice roots!

HTH

Shann!

[amersault]

wow nicely grown, Mike! it looks super healthy and ready to bust out of that pot! love Encyclia's - can't wait to see yours in bloom!

[Sharyn]

Same for me. Came in a 2 inch pot. Now growing out of a 3" clay pot. It keeps growing new pbulbs but no flowers yet. Moved outdoors recently. Will see how it does. For now it's getting pretty bright light, but not much sun.............just trying to acclimate it to the light outdoors. Just putting it in the brighter light for the last week has changed leaves to a much lighter color so I'm being careful not to overdo. My 2-year experiment so far has almost doubled in size but I'm still waiting for that spike.

[articuno75]

Same here. I know it's getting enough light, but as for temperature drops??? I think that might be the problem for me.

Man you should see the roots on mine !!! They're crazy !!!

[mayres]

Wow! Sharyn & Jenny - looks like we all are in the same boat! If you guys figure it out be sure to let me in on the secret! Mine is a pretty nice color green and has been under a T5 all winter - pretty good light. It has NOT gotten any cool down period - do these need that to bloom - anyone know? Anyone know what time of year these should be expected to bloom? Each of the pseudobulbs have gotten progressively bigger, with the latest one being huge. Number five is just starting to emerge. I just repotted mine again and decided to put it in a 6 inch pot due to excessive roots - will see how it does.

[Sharyn]

Here's a care sheet from Charles & Margaret Baker. It's for the Encyclia cordigera, but I think it's the same culture for the one we're growing. I believe that Jerry originally said these should bloom around Mother's Day. Doesn't look like ours are going to make it.

Encyclia cordigera Culture

[mayres]

Thanks Sharyn - "easy to grow and flower" it says! Humpf!
I'll agree with the grow part of that. I had some memory of Jerry saying something about flowering too, but was trying to ignore that recollection since it will be mother's day shortly and we're not seeing any sign of spikes!

[katrina]

Since all three of you are experiencing the same thing...is it possible that your plants just aren't mature enough to bloom?

My lone noid Encyclia is a monster...no special temp treatment...and it blooms reliably. I do water and fert less in winter just because it's inside but that's about it. [Mine is untagged but I do believe it's 'Orchid Jungle' which would make one of it's parents the same as the one you guys have.]

[Sharyn]

Originally Posted by katrina

.... is it possible that your plants just aren't mature enough to bloom?

I'm beginning to think that might be the trouble. I started out with a small plant, with 3 pbulbs. I now have 9 pbulbs & 1 new growth. Through careless handling, I broke off one big pbulb and a new growth or I'd have an even larger plant. It definitely needs to be repotted....will try a 4 inch pot and see what happens over the summer. Keep me posted on your progress.

[mehitabel]

It might benefit from being outdoors in summer. Worth a try. Even phals respond well to a summer outside.

[articuno75]

Nah, these were blooming size to begin with. Mine had an old cut spike, so I know it's bloomed before, just not for me !!!

The coolest mine ever got was about 68 degrees farenheit, so maybe these need to go lower than that. Jerry did say that they bloom around Mother's Day, so I guess we'll be looking at another year in the works.

[Shannara]

All of my Encyclias are outside and this year was one of the coldest we had. Though I did bring them in when there were freezing temps all of them were outside even when the low 40's. I try and always make sure they are in if the temperature is going to be lower than 40° F. None seem to be negatively affected. I have tons of new growths and double spikes on my Enc. ‘Nursery Rhyme’ (Epi. atronecium x Enc. cordigera) that started during the winter snap and should be opening soon. The spikes started months ago. I would think the 3 key ways to get all of your Encyclias to bloom is (1) bright light with some direct sun before noon. (2) Let them be outside in cooler temps that are not freezing. (3) Try switching up your fertilizers to make sure your plants are getting as many micro nutrients as possible....or some rain water couldn't hurt. Almost all my orchids get rain water on them, even the ones completely under the overhang get misted by rain water.

Also instead of bark I have switched almost all of my Encyclias to a mix with charcoal and stalite, and even some aliflor until it is gone. I think they prefer this type of medium, but will watch and see how it goes this year during the growing months. I water much more frequently, but I don't worry about root rot or the medium decomposing.

Good luck getting your Encyclias to rebloom...the cordigeras smell so heavenly.

HTH

Shann~

[articuno75]

Hi Shannara

It's starting to definitely sound like they need the temperature drops. Mine has never seen the outdoors, let alone temps even in the low 60s. Mine is mounted and has been that way since I got it. I think I'm the only one from the grow group that did that.

Gotta love Stalite. I use it on a couple of my orchids and it's good stuff.

[Shannara]

Originally Posted by articuno75

Hi Shannara

It's starting to definitely sound like they need the temperature drops. Mine has never seen the outdoors, let alone temps even in the low 60s. Mine is mounted and has been that way since I got it. I think I'm the only one from the grow group that did that.

Gotta love Stalite. I use it on a couple of my orchids and it's good stuff.

I doubt it will need temperature drops as drastic as mine, but I am sure something in the mid to low 50's would suffice. A number of my Encyclias are mounted and really grow well that way too. I have a tampensis in spike and it gets sun until around noon. It hangs above my Enc. sietetresquatros x Enc. Orchid jungle which suprised me today because I found it in double spike! The pseudobulbs on this plant are huge! The biggest ones in my collection. I can't wait to see how the spikes develop.

I like the stalite because it holds moisture a bit better than aliflor. I just love threads about Encyclias. Even when not in flower they are such beautiful plants.



Shann~

[lmartiny]

I've only recently gotten into Encyclias so don't have any advice. But now that I look at yours and the Pbulbs and think of mine, maybe a noid I have from olden times is an Enc.? But not sure the foliage is right. It is finally spiking. I'm very curious. Maybe it is a maturity thing.

[rodbender]

Yours is about the same size as mine Mike
Mine is in spike and will prolly bloom in a couple more weeks

[trinigirl]

I think encyclias really do need a lot of light. I have some in spike and bloom now, and they spent the winter in the garage at night. The temps got really low, near freezing some nights, and were not affected.

I think they look great mounted, but some of them can really get too big, so those I have in pots.

I love threads about encylias too!

[FLBob]

I'm not sure of the trigger for blooming encyclias. I grow a few and have found them to be reliable late spring bloomers.
If I had to guess on the trigger it would be longer periods of light, and or increasing temps.

[mayres]

Lookie lookie - do you see what i see?!!!!
I can't believe it has only been two weeks since I repotted and was semi-complaining that this plant never does anything except grow like a weed!

[Shannara]

That is just awesome!! I can't wait for bloom photo's! Just be patient though...these guys can be really slow to get from spike to bloom.



Shann~

[kid a]

GASP!!!! I was feeling like i was in the same boat!!!!!!!! Mine just grows and grows and grows nicely i might add bt this gives me hope! Like Jenny;s mine had an old spike on it when I got it and I haven't been able to bloom it yet! Mike other than repotting what did you do to get that pop out???? Was this under your lights when this miracle happened??? I'll post a pic of mine I need t update my thread anyways!

[mayres]

Kortney - yes - all I did was repot (two weeks ago). And yes - it has been under my T5 lights all winter, growing roots like crazy. I put it outside with 1/3 of my plants on Sunday (where I managed to sunburn a few leaves in spite of shadecloth - the spike was noted at that time) and then it has now decided to rain for the entire week (Oregon - you gotta love it!). I went and got it to take this picture last night and that little spike nubbin was sitting in a pool of water in the leaf crotch. Decided maybe I should bring it back in before it decides to rot off? Yikes! Keeping my fingers crossed that this will continue to grow and bloom........now back inside for the time being in front of an east window.

[kid a]

Cool! btw where do you buy your shadecloth? I can't find it anywhere around here lol!

[mayres]

I have a greenhouse supply outlet about 5 miles from my home. :-)
I need to go there anyway soon - you want me to check it out for you for prices?
Several years ago I purchased a 12X12 55% ready cut piece and they also had it in three differerent types on a roll any length you want. As I remember it wasn't cheap. If they should happen to have something that would fit your needs (and budget) I wouldn't mind getting it for you.

[kid a]

That would be wonderful! I could pay for the shippingn too. I will measure to see about how much i would need when i get home this evening. It would probably be a very small amount I just want to put it over my little stand outside since i burnt a few high light plants last summer lol!

[mayres]

You can pm me if you like.
The problem with a "small" amount is that it comes on huge rolls to cover complete greenhouses! It is not made with the hobby user in mind.
Yes - it is difficult to aclimate even the high light plants if they are used to being indoors half or more of the year - especially if you work and cannot be present to slowly give them more light and aclimate them over a few weeks. I hope for a cloudy week for starters - but even that can be WAY brighter than indoors under T5!

[lmartiny]

This is the Encyclia I bought at Selby Gardens recently. It was in spike/bud at the time. It does smell really nice.
Kourtney, I bought some shade cloth at HD.

[mayres]

Finally, after posting the start of a spike FIVE MONTHS ago, I have my first flowers opening this week. And......a second spike also forming buds! This is my first encyclia and I will say they are quite unique and beautiful. Highly recommended! :-) I brought this one into my office to enjoy for the next few weeks and everyone is impressed.........

[Phalcycle]

Lovly color!
Thanks for sharing

[koshki]

Oh, wow, I love the color! Sadly, I don't think I have enough room under my lights to grow one...too tall.

[orchidea]

Mike, what a great job growing this one!!!
I like it a lot.
Encyclia is the one I haven't try growing yet.
Would you say it's growing conditions are more similar to Catts or Oncidiums??? Oncidiums don't like me, or maybe they don't like Colorado. I am still trying to figure them out......

[mayres]

I'm hoping the "encyclia lady" will see this thread and respond to your question. I'm far from an expert on them at this point - I think I've been "lucky" - I would probably have used an "AND" instead of an "OR" to answer your question - "yes, like Catts and Oncidiums". I grow all of them in similar conditions - not to say that this is ideal - just what I do.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by orchidea

Would you say it's growing conditions are more similar to Catts or Oncidiums???

I think they're like cattleyas. I grow cattleyas and encyclias but not ondiciums.

[Shannara]

Originally Posted by mayres

Finally, after posting the start of a spike FIVE MONTHS ago, I have my first flowers opening this week. And......a second spike also forming buds! This is my first encyclia and I will say they are quite unique and beautiful. Highly recommended! :-) I brought this one into my office to enjoy for the next few weeks and everyone is impressed.........

That is just beautiful. I can see a lot of cordigera in that bloom. Is it fragrant? It was well worth the wait for sure.

Originally Posted by orchidea

Would you say it's growing conditions are more similar to Catts or Oncidiums??? Oncidiums don't like me, or maybe they don't like Colorado. I am still trying to figure them out......

Treat it just like a Catt. They are pretty forgiving orchids and there are so many Encyclias to choose from. If you find one take it home with you! Oncidiums have been tough for me to grow too. I have two right now and am hoping they will survive.

Originally Posted by mayres

I'm hoping the "encyclia lady" will see this thread and respond to your question. I'm far from an expert on them at this point - I think I've been "lucky" - I would probably have used an "AND" instead of an "OR" to answer your question - "yes, like Catts and Oncidiums". I grow all of them in similar conditions - not to say that this is ideal - just what I do.

The "Encyclia Lady" (heehee) grows most of her orchids in the same conditions too. If you are successful with Catts you should be as successful, if not more, with Encyclias.

Shann~

[mayres]

Shann - has it been your experience that encyclias are mostly fragrant "when the sun is on them"? Seems I read that somewhere? I have not noticed any fragrance yet, but should have all five flowers on the first spike open this week - will see if I can find at least a few minutes of sunshine to test for fragrance!

[Shannara]

Originally Posted by mayres

Shann - has it been your experience that encyclias are mostly fragrant "when the sun is on them"? Seems I read that somewhere? I have not noticed any fragrance yet, but should have all five flowers on the first spike open this week - will see if I can find at least a few minutes of sunshine to test for fragrance!

I mostly find them to be fragrant when it is warm outside. So being in the sun makes sense because that warms them up. I have had several of mine not have a fragrance for a couple days after the bloom opens. Then as it ages the fragrance becomes more apparent. I would think if yours has a cordigera parent it would have fragrance. I do have several in my collection that have no fragrance at all.

HTH

Shann~

[kid a]

Awesome! Mine still hasn't bloomed lol!

[mayres]

Queenie () - I have three blooms today (two more to go on that spike) and just smelled fragrance - it is early in the morning and no sun yet - maybe STRONGER when warmer and w/sun? The fragrance is different than other orchids I have with fragrance - hard to say exactly what the fragrance reminds me of - NO vanilla that I get on many others - almost a little fruity.