Leaf tips on Encyclia turning brown. What does this signify?

[stefpix]

basically i think your old growths are busted, maybe plant did not like your conditions, but if you give decent conditions then your new growth will grow roots and nice leaves. I noticed the more light you give the stronger growth you get. plants get weaker when you give not enough light. I would keep it outside in partial sun, anyway it is pretty humid in the summer in NY. I am getting new growths from my orchids this time of year.

[cythaenopsis]

Well the odd thing is that it was just some baby leaves. They were pretty small, though not the absolute smallest.

Some observations:
This plant has a few noticeably larger leaves with some smaller ones sprouting from the same spot. The small leaves that died off were kind of on their own, meaning they weren't along side any of the larger leaves. I don't know if that means they were separate "shoots" with their own roots, or if they're interconnected to the rest somewhere else. But my speculation is that if the rest of the plant is healthy, perhaps this is a result of the healthier parts of the plant absorbing most of the moisture and nutrients, leaving the others anemic or more susceptible to environmental changes.

Curious enough, some of the leaves experienced the slightest of yellowing at the tips, two others ended up browning a little at the tips too, but two of the smaller leaves went completely yellow and died off. The ones with very slight yellowed tips haven't gotten any worse and seem to be doing fine. But I'm making it sound worse than it is. The photo I've linked earlier still reflects the overall health of the plant. Most of the leaves look very healthy.

I'm probably over-thinking this... I have a tendency to do that. I'll just get back to basics and see about getting some new potting material. I'll also see about giving the plant a little dose of direct sunlight for a photosynthesis boost.

[Wjs2nd]

I would actually wond if what your describing is sunburn. I would be verycareful about how much light it is getting. Have you looked up a suggested care sheet to see the light needs?

[cythaenopsis]

^ I'm pretty sure it isn't due to sunburn, as I've almost always exposed the plan to diffused sunlight. Only on occasion did the plant manage to get a little direct sunlight but it was not long enough for what I'd consider sunburn. When I had my first phalaenopsis, I overexposed it to direct sunlight over a number of weeks before I started to see a burn effect on one of the leaves. Of course, much thicker leaves on it.

I did do some further research on encyclia and all I could find was:

Plants grow in intermediate to warm conditions and can be grown in medium size fir bark with perlite. Plant prefers drying periods between watering and bright light is recommended. Lengthen drying period a bit in the winter.

[Wjs2nd]

Hmmmm, it still sounds like it is not stay humid enough. Maybe a cool mist humidifier. I know I'm going to need one for this winter. Maybe you need to soak the roots a little (not very long). I just can't think of it being anything else. Sorry I can't help for sure.

[cythaenopsis]

^ But the roots have been in a sphagnum moss mix that I've watered regularly (allowing it to dry out in between), so wouldn't that mean the roots have had reasonable humidity?

[glengary54]

Originally Posted by cythaenopsis

^ But the roots have been in a sphagnum moss mix that I've watered regularly (allowing it to dry out in between), so wouldn't that mean the roots have had reasonable humidity?

I think you may be confused about what we mean by humidity. We are talking about the amount of moisture in the air. 100% humidity means it would be raining, your particular Encyclia comes from an environment where the humidity level is around 80% year round.

[Leafmite]

Maybe the little bulbs are old backbulbs? I only have one encyclia, a rescue, so I don't know too much about their growth habit. Mine was rootless with very wrinkled bulbs and leaves brown and yellow. It is finally getting new growths. That is why I thought that the roots might be the problem. Good luck!
Leafmite

[cythaenopsis]

I used to be a meteorologist in the USAF, so I am very well acquainted with the word humidity and its implications. It can apply to more than just the open air. I thought the reference to humidity had to deal with the conditions where the roots are, maybe because that's where most of my preoccupation has been. Moisture and humidity can be used interchangeably.

My apartment is certainly not as humid as a rain forest. I will endeavor to get some humidity trays to improve the immediate environment for the orchids. Thanks again for the help.

Good to hear you revived the plant, Leafmite. I wonder if some variants of the Encyclia family are more robust than others. Mine came from an orchid purveyor in Georgia.

[stefpix]

an humidity tray can't raise the humidity at the leaves. it would be dispersed. people tested that and posted results. an humidity tray enclosed in some aquarium or something would make a difference. But then you would need a fan to avoid mold/ fungus. or cheap humidifier or vaporizer would really help.