A strange growth on my orchid

[orchidNewB_2021]

In April, I ordered a Encyclia Cordigera aka Epidendrum atropurpureum (2" pot size) from a nursery. The plant was healthy with plumping and shinny pseudobulbs. Recently, more wrinkles appeared and I thought that it requires more frequent watering.

Now I realized that there is a new pseudobulb growing on top of the original one, which was providing water and nutrients to the new pseudobulb and therefore wrinkled day by day. Another pseudobulb has the same new growth. With a lot of research online, I could not find related situation on this species. Please see the photo of the strange new growth and advice how to handle the plant.

Questions:
1) Is it normal or rare to have such a growth?
2) Why did it happen? I just repotted it in April, then gave it regular watering, misting and occasional 20-10-20 fertilizer.
3) Will the old pseudobulb die after the new bulb is fully developed? Does the plant need a repot?
4) Is there anything I need to be aware of? What could be done to keep this plant healthy?

I appreciate if anyone can help me to solve this! I really have no clue about why it has the growth on top of the young pseudobulbs.

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[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

This species (and other Encyclias) often have somewhat elongated pseudobulbs. You can tell it's all one pseudobulb because the normal number of leaves exists. What you're seeing isn't a new growth; it is an extension of the pseudobulb.

The long set of new leaves will form a new pseudobulb.

This species does need a lot of water. The wrinkled pseudobulbs indicate not enough water, or some root damage. The best time to repot Cattleya alliance plants is when the new roots are just forming, and are tiny nubs.

[Shadeflower]

this bulb might look like 1 bulb growing out the other but it isn't.
What happened was as the bulb started swelling it got constricted by a dried bulb sheath and thus the shape happened that can be seen on the picture

[orchidNewB_2021]

Thank you so much! So it is normal to have this growth. Should I water this plant more frequently? Does it also like fertilizer?

[DeaC]

As was mentionned, these need lots of water but should dry between drinks. Bright light is also required. Mine sits at the edge of grow lights 6-8'' below and the bulbs have a redness to them. Don't forget to fertilize.

[orchidNewB_2021]

Originally Posted by DeaC

As was mentionned, these need lots of water but should dry between drinks. Bright light is also required. Mine sits at the edge of grow lights 6-8'' below and the bulbs have a redness to them. Don't forget to fertilize.

Thank you!

[Shadeflower]

I wouldn't go so far as to say the behavior is normal - it doesn't happen very often but I wouldn't say it has any detrimental effect.

Orchids generally need 1/10 the fertilizer that tomatoes need so they need it but don't overdo it. Too little is always better than too much. Remember that.

Once you have overfertilized you cannot undo the damage, if you fertilize too little the plant will show you signs which can then be rectified if needed. So always feed too little rather than too much till you have worked out how much the plant responds well to. Ps: responses take months so make gradual small changes and see how it goes. If the plant is drinking lots you can try feeding a bit more, flush the pot monthly with plain water to wash out fertilizer salts.

Too little fertilizer will not slow an orchid down, that is also worth mentioning, unless it develops severe deficiencies, then it will but as growers we monitor the orchids so fertilizer should always be on hand but don't feed them like tomatoes or sunflower plants is my advice.