Need help with encyclia cochleata losing leaves - Orchid Board

BillieG · #1 07-06-2016, 11:47 PM

I bought an encyclia cochleata from Hausermann's a month ago. It was in a small amount of dark medium in a small pot, so I repotted it in S/H. It had 4 leaves and a very small spike

Today I noticed the leaves were yellow and some brownish. When I picked it up to carry it to the kitchen 3 leaves fell off with only 1 yellowing leaf remaining. It has been sitting 2 feet back from a south window, and I have watered it every 5 to 7 days. I have not given it any fertilizer.

I have an encyclia alba that is very happy and blooming in these same conditions, so I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

I believe it is going to lose the last leaf as it is yellowing. Does that mean it is will die? I looked at the roots today and they look fine.

Leafmite · #2 07-07-2016, 12:47 AM

I have not grown the cochleata so I am not sure what is happening to yours. Hopefully, someone else can help you. S/H seems to be a popular way to grow these, though. Good luck!

estación seca · #3 07-07-2016, 01:18 AM

Was the plant making new roots at the time you moved it to S/H?

Moving plants to S/H is really hard on them unless they're actively making new roots when you move them. All the old roots will die in S/H, so the plant needs to grow new roots. If it's the wrong time of year for root growth the plant is in trouble.

I moved an E. cordigera seedling to S/H a year ago, when it began making a new growth, but it didn't make any new roots until just a month ago. I figured with a new growth, roots were close behind, but I was wrong.

Plants in S/H are supposed to stay moist. That is the purpose of the reservoir at the bottom of the container. It needs to stay full all the time. Is watering every 5-7 days enough to keep the reservoir full all the time?

My Encyclias get very high light. They sit next to, even touching, the glass of my sunroom, and tolerate direct Arizona sun for several hours each morning. Of course, they have good roots, and I water them a lot. I have a fan blowing on them at this time so the leaves don't overheat. You don't say where you live. I wonder whether 2-3 feet from a window is enough light. You still have to be careful about leaves overheating in direct sun.

Orchid Whisperer · #4 07-07-2016, 06:56 AM

My Encyclia species and hybrids all grow with very fast draining/drying medium. Most of them are either in scoria (= lava rock), wine corks or a very coarse bark and charcoal mix. They are either in terracotta pots or net pots.

You said the roots look OK. I don't see any roots in the photo. Have you felt the roots, are they solid or squishy/sofft? My thought is that you may have more root loss than you think.

BillieG · #5 07-07-2016, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

My Encyclia species and hybrids all grow with very fast draining/drying medium. Most of them are either in scoria (= lava rock), wine corks or a very coarse bark and charcoal mix. They are either in terracotta pots or net pots.

You said the roots look OK. I don't see any roots in the photo. Have you felt the roots, are they solid or squishy/sofft? My thought is that you may have more root loss than you think.

I took it out of the pot and looked. They were ok so I put it back. I have had it only a month or less, so maybe the roots aren't showing that they are dying yet. Do you think I should put it in bark or something else or leave it alone?

---------- Post added at 09:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:51 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by estación seca

Was the plant making new roots at the time you moved it to S/H?

Moving plants to S/H is really hard on them unless they're actively making new roots when you move them. All the old roots will die in S/H, so the plant needs to grow new roots. If it's the wrong time of year for root growth the plant is in trouble.

I moved an E. cordigera seedling to S/H a year ago, when it began making a new growth, but it didn't make any new roots until just a month ago. I figured with a new growth, roots were close behind, but I was wrong.

Plants in S/H are supposed to stay moist. That is the purpose of the reservoir at the bottom of the container. It needs to stay full all the time. Is watering every 5-7 days enough to keep the reservoir full all the time?

My Encyclias get very high light. They sit next to, even touching, the glass of my sunroom, and tolerate direct Arizona sun for several hours each morning. Of course, they have good roots, and I water them a lot. I have a fan blowing on them at this time so the leaves don't overheat. You don't say where you live. I wonder whether 2-3 feet from a window is enough light. You still have to be careful about leaves overheating in direct sun.

It isn't making any new growth, but was in such a small pot and tiny amount of medium that I did decide to repot.

Leafmite · #6 07-07-2016, 01:35 PM

Is the other Encyclia also a cochleata, just the alba form? Is there AC running? Does the light currently cast a shadow in that area? Did the roots feel firm when you checked them?

I know that where I live, during the summer, not much light comes through the windows as the sun is directly overhead. Your new orchid may have come from a greenhouse which is pretty bright and if it has gone into deep shade, it will suffer. Many plants are very sensitive to sudden changes in light and drop leaves as a result (I get leaf drop every autumn on many of my plants when I bring them inside for the winter).

If you are running air conditioning, the leaves might simply be drying and dropping, a result of not enough water being able to replace the water the leaves are losing.

I wish I could help more but I have never grown this one and I know just from the three I have that the culture varies depending on where they originate. I also 'cheat' with the orchids by putting them all in red lava rock/basket pots (or Vanda baskets) and just watering the heck out of the ones that need more water. My set up makes it nearly impossible to kill them by over-watering (my other plants have plenty of sand and perlite...same reason).

Good luck! I hope you can turn this one around!

BillieG · #7 07-07-2016, 01:53 PM

[QUOTE=Leafmite;809853]Is the other Encyclia also a cochleata, just the alba form? I'm not sure what it is exactly, it just said encyclia alba. It is very happy and blooming.
Is there AC running? Yes
Does the light currently cast a shadow in that area? No
Did the roots feel firm when you checked themYes, but has only been in the S/H for about 3 weeks. Do you think I shpuld repot it in something else?

Good luck! I hope you can turn this one around!Can it live without leaves??

I just had all my orchids happy and blooming. I seemed to find a happy spot for them after killing soooo many since I started orchids. I got confident and ordered several orchids this spring and the new ones are falling apart! Hopefully they will all adjust, but it is driving me nuts, lol

Leafmite · #8 07-07-2016, 03:12 PM

As long as the pseudobulbs stay firm and green, it has the potential to put out new growths even without leaves. If you fix whatever issue, your Encyclia should recover.

If your hand isn't casting a shadow, what you have is deep shade. You might want to look up the cultural information on this one (IOSPE) to see if that is suitable for the cochleata. Not knowing exactly what the other is means we cannot rely on that one's success to mean that this one should succeed.

You really need someone who grows this one to offer the advice or, if that fails, perhaps do a little research. The 'Encyclias' come from a range of places from very dry to cloud forest so the care they take is quite varied. I honestly wish I knew what was wrong with your Encyclia. I know how frustrating it must be.

silken · #9 07-07-2016, 03:59 PM

As Orchid Whisperer mentioned, If it wasn't making new roots, it is not a good time to move it to SH. He also asked if you are keeping a reservoir full of water for the SH, as watering every 5 to 7 days seems to me it might be going dry. My few encyclias grow pretty much like Cattleyas, good light and like to dry out between waterings. I don't have a cochleata but do have a radiata which seems to need similar care. Mine is a thirsty plant but I don't keep it wet or soggy. Attached is the Baker's cultural information for Enc. (Prosthechea) cochleata for their humidity requirements.

Orchid Whisperer · #10 07-07-2016, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silken

As Orchid Whisperer mentioned, If it wasn't making new roots, it is not a good time to move it to SH. He also asked if you are keeping a reservoir full of water for the SH, as watering every 5 to 7 days seems to me it might be going dry. My few encyclias grow pretty much like Cattleyas, good light and like to dry out between waterings. I don't have a cochleata but do have a radiata which seems to need similar care. Mine is a thirsty plant but I don't keep it wet or soggy. Attached is the Baker's cultural information for Enc. (Prosthechea) cochleata for their humidity requirements.

(Pssst!) It was estacion seca that made those comments. I am not a S/H grower, but from what I've read, I tend to agree with both of you.

I did post earlier, concerned about the roots. My concern was based on the leaves not being supported by the plant, and that seems to come with root die off.