Encyclia maderoi, splitting pseudobulbs?

[Aki_James]

I bought this orchid last year in march as a medium seedling.

Since then it has grown leaps and bounds, and I think is getting close to blooming size. Which is great for me because in general I am a Cattleya alliance killer, we just do not seem to get along.

I grow it under four 4' HO 54 watt fluorescent fixture with about 75% humidity in the day with temps around 23C, and night time around 85% humidity and around 20C.

I let it almost dry out between watering s, just to the point where I notice the pseudo-bulbs loose their lustre.

It is currently putting out 2 massive leads and one smaller lead, the biggest I have seen yet as well as a plethora of new roots, but I noticed today that the newest matured pseudo-bulbs are splitting right down the centre.

Has anyone seen this happen? Should I be concerned? I'm not sure if I should dress the split with cinnamon or spray it with some peroxide. It looks clean but I'm concerned that It will turn into something horrible.

I've put so much love into this guy I would really hate to see it go downhill at this point.

Any idea what could cause this?
Thank you in advance

[WhiteRabbit]

I've had this happen a few times ... not sure what the cause is - I have wondered if the pbulb just grew too fast ? It's never become a problem for me. I am interested to read what others may have to say about it.

[Pat'sCatt's]

I also got a few Cattleya's who did just the same, i agree with WhiteRabbit, it just grew to fast! A little to much love ( and food) perhaps... Mine are also fine and don't seem to be bothered by this, so i think yours will be fine too!

[RJSquirrel]

ya' jus fat and happy and split his britches

[kikitastrophe]

How is your humidity? I have a catasetum doing the same thing, and I always struggle with my humidity (#coldstateproblems) I agree it doesn't seem to cause trouble.

[BettyE]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

I've had this happen a few times ... not sure what the cause is - I have wondered if the pbulb just grew too fast ? It's never become a problem for me. I am interested to read what others may have to say about it.

I grow a LOT of encyclias...and have had this happen a number of times! Don't know the cause, but I did rub sulphur powder into the splits on the bulbs. They healed, and no more problems...BettyE

P.S. My belief is that the bulbs that happen to get these "splits" are for some reason growing too fast...Maybe too much fertilizer? Not sure...

[Orchid Whisperer]

For some reason, I have been seeing a LOT of posts on various forums about splitting pseudobulbs! Not sure what causes it. Years ago I had a Catt hybrid that did this (maybe genetics? IDK)

I think if the pseudobulb does not get too wet before the split scars over, the plant will live & function OK.

[Aki_James]

Mmmm

Well it does look like it's healing well. So I'm just going to make sure that I keep it dry.

Fertilizer being the cause does seem to make sense as I just increased my regimen with a new type of fertilizer a couple months ago. So perhaps I need to lower the strength of my solution.

But then again if the plant is just growing so fast and happy that it's bursting at the seams perhaps I'll keep with this and see if the plant manages to adjust.

[Fairorchids]

I had this happen in 2-3 Laelia anceps seedlings, which were growing very rapidly last year. It did not hurt the plants, the splits dried up and the next growth is 30-40% larger than the one that split.

[BettyE]

Just for everyones' info, when my bulbs split, I first sprayed them with alcohol, then covered the roots with paper, then pressed sulphur into the "splits." I covered the roots because if sulphur gets on the roots, it will inhibit growth. BettyE