Encyclia tampenis in very bad shape

[Roberta]

E. tampensis at my house struggles, but I grow it outside where it KNOWS it's not in Florida. If yours is in spike and putting out growth, you're doing great. As far as potting... ignore the blooming action. Rather than new growth, watch for new roots. When you see them, that's the time to move it. Don't worry about the spike, leave it, the plant won't notice. There are quite a few members of the Cattleya tribe that bloom and root at the same time. It's all about the roots when repotting, moving to basket, etc. - new roots will establish in new medium quickly.

As far as repotting in bloom, I see it this way... the flowers are already developed, the plant has pseudobulbs to provide energy for the flowers, the rooting action is sufficiently separate that the plant can multitask.

[DeaC]

FWIW, a gal on YouTube in southern FL. grows many orchids tied to her palm tress, including tampensis, and it thrives. Those conditions and her culture gets her success.

[OrcishOrchids]

Originally Posted by DeaC

FWIW, a gal on YouTube in southern FL. grows many orchids tied to her palm tress, including tampensis, and it thrives. Those conditions and her culture gets her success.

I'm not sure you can use her as a growing example (I am also from Florida) these plants are native to Florida and grow vigorously from Miami all the way up to Gainesville without any help from humans.

the trick will be trying to grow them outside of their native environment

[Maryanne]

Thanks Roberta! you're the best...
I bet we would get along great if we were to meet in person.
: -) Maryanne

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Maryanne

Thanks Roberta! you're the best...
I bet we would get along great if we were to meet in person.
: -) Maryanne

Thanks! What I love about the Board is that I can "meet" people who live far away. One never knows when it might be possible to cross paths...

[estación seca]

You need to overwater this plant. It grows only in the wettest parts of Florida.

[Maryanne]

E.S - thanks very much. I'll water Miss Tampensis right now, the humidity is lower today than the last few 'pressure cooker' days.
Best wishes,
Maryanne

[Maryanne]

Folks:
I just freshly repotted my Encyclia tampensis and Dendrobium tetragonum this evening. Both showed deteriorating media but had tiny new roots showing, so the timing seems to be right. Then I went on to second shift in the vegetable garden...
Thanks for the advice and encouragement.

And Dr. Dawn: we'll have to be sure to meet up at an orchid show : -)

Cheers,
Maryanne