What should I pot this encyclia in?

[Maru777]

I was very happy all my phals and dendrobiums rebloomed this year and so a friend decided that I needed a new type or orchid so he gave me an encyclia alata early bird - whatever that is since I’ve never seen one before It looks really cute but it’s in this tiny pot with charcoal and that spongy rock I always forget the name of. I thought I would let it be, but it started growing a new root out of the pot and the little root just dried out. The plant itself is doing fine though, growing a new whatsit actually. But I am not sure that charcoal is the best medium for it. It dries so fast. I want to make sure it’s happy but don’t know how Help please! Added a picture of when I got it about 2-3 months ago and now.

[SaraJean]

This really is a pretty species (mine is still a babe). I personally like to mount my Encyclias but that works for me since I grow primarily outdoors and with my climate (mostly hot, and rainy and humid year round). Is this staying inside or out most of the year? And how often does this get watered? A small basket with just charcoal and sponge rock could easily handle being watered every day. What it is currently in is not a bad set up for some, but if it doesn’t work for you then it doesn’t work.

I think the main thing is achieving a balance between something airy enough for frequent watering and holding enough moisture so that it stays hydrated enough to not rot/abort the new growths. How you go about that is completely dependent on your growing environment and watering habits. You can always use a small clay pot instead of a basket with some bark and sponge rock, or any other type of inorganic, if it needs to go a couple of days between water. Or just a small basket with bark could also work.

[Maru777]

Originally Posted by SaraJean

Is this staying inside or out most of the year? And how often does this get watered?

Thank you for your advice! To respond to your questions - it is currently staying on a porch screened with mosquito nets and it will stay there all year as long as it’s happy - temperature will not vary more than 5C between summer and what passes for winter here. It is quite humid as well all year round. Right now I water it everyday but I would prefer not to have to. It and some baby dendrobiums that just came out of a bottle and were foist on me on another occasion because someone else deemed them to small to make it are the only plants I have that require daily care. So if possible I would prefer to move at least this one to some setting where it can be fine for at least a couple of days by itself. When I’m home it’s ok bit if I leave for a few days having to water it everyday makes for some expensive presents being needed for my friends

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Try medium grade bark. Bark size of 1.5 cm to 2 cm.

[IngieBee]

If you are in the Cayman Islands, can't you just attach it to a tree? I mean, it seems like you are in the perfect location ( note, k didn't check your plants requirements 😝

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Maru777

...Encyclia alata 'Early Bird - whatever that is since I’ve never seen one before

It is a Cattleya relative.

IOSPE PHOTOS

Originally Posted by Maru777

It looks really cute...

It's more than cute. I think you'll be happy with this one.

Originally Posted by Maru777

...it’s in this tiny pot with charcoal and that spongy rock I always forget the name of.

Haha! The irony is that you called it what it is usually called by many people - "Sponge Rock" (aka perlite). "Sponge Rock" is usually what people refer to the larger grade of perlite. The smaller grade is usually just called perlite. (They are both essentially the same thing.)

Originally Posted by Maru777

I thought I would let it be, but it started growing a new root out of the pot and the little root just dried out. The plant itself is doing fine though, growing a new whatsit actually. But I am not sure that charcoal is the best medium for it. It dries so fast. I want to make sure it’s happy but don’t know how Help please! Added a picture of when I got it about 2-3 months ago and now.

If it helps, Encyclia alata is an epiphyte. It grows under bright indirect light. It likes it intermediate to warm (55 F - 90 F). It is pretty easy to grow. Let roots dry between watering.

[Maru777]

Thank you so much, everyone! I’m off to buy some medium bark then and hope it will like it I’ve not put any on the trees yet because iguanas are everywhere and I’m scared even if they don’t eat the orchids (like they keep on doing with my passion fruit) they can damage them. Thank you again for the advice!

[IngieBee]

Good luck . I'm just in awe that you live in the Caymens