What could be causing this "accordianing" and yellowing on my bollopetalum's foliage?

[cmantheriault]

the title pretty much says it all, I got the bollopetalum after it had already bloomed from Rahn's Greenhouse in Cincinnati Ohio. The issue may be small, I may be overthinking the color but I just would rather err on the side of caution as this orchid is probably one of my favorites in my collection and I don't want it to get hurt! especially if I've yet to see it bloom! >.<

Below I will explain what I have been doing to the plant by area and will attach reference photos

Photo 1: picture of new roots around the new pseudobulb (far right). However, if you look where the new pseudobulb grew from the 2nd newest, you can see a yellowing of the leave
Photo 2: picture of a leaf off a separate pseudobulb that has the tip beginning to yellow.
Photo 3: another photo of all the new roots growing around the most recent pseudobulb
Photo 4: another photo showing the yellowing of leaves that has begun to concern me a bit.
Photo 5: the last picture if you look, (specifically on the left leaf you can see how it kinda, rolls in, almost like an accordion.

Light: This orchid stays outside all the time (Cincinnati Ohio). If I wake up early enough I like to put my orchids in morning sun for an hour or so and try to move them out of the shade on my patio as the sun is setting about 30-60min before the sun sets behind a row of trees. Otherwise the majority of my plants aside from succulents and cacti are always in the shade during the afternoon.

Water: As I'm located in the midwest, The humidity is extremely high and therefore my orchids stay happy I water them probably every 5-7 (+/-) 1 day, all depends!; I spend a great deal of time looking at my plants lol and am a pretty good judge of it!

Potting Medium: my orchid has stayed in the nursery pot that it came in with only sphagnum moss. I asked them if I should repot it and they said since the orchid is producing a new pseudobulb and seems happy in it's new home. It has been growing a plethora of roots (probably 10+!!) that are visible off the new pseudobulb, the other night though I did slide the plant out to look at the root system below, and I'm telling you it's absolutely packed! healthy etc.

If you have any other questions or comments I'd totally appreciate it but thank you again and take care everyone!

[aliceinwl]

My Zygopetalum types start yellowing like this if they are getting a bit too much sun. It also takes almost daily watering for me if they get to the point where the pot is solid roots. I let mine go a bit too long before repotting and they were pretty much busting out of their old pots. Repotting and cutting back on sun exposure may solve your problems.

[Ray]

Just a guess on my part, but that potting medium looks "iffy" to me, suggesting the possibility of root issues caused by residue toxicity and rot, which could certainly result in such an appearance.

Follow Alice's good advice.

[cmantheriault]

Originally Posted by Ray

Just a guess on my part, but that potting medium looks "iffy" to me, suggesting the possibility of root issues caused by residue toxicity and rot, which could certainly result in such an appearance.

Follow Alice's good advice.

So what material do you suggest me repot the orchid in? a mix of sphagnum moss and Bark? all sphagnum moss? all bark? thank you so much! also, if you would happen to know where I could find some information on these types of orchids I would greatly appreciate it! I'm a little unsure of how to formulated a good search to find the necessary information

---------- Post added at 10:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:08 PM ----------

Originally Posted by aliceinwl

My Zygopetalum types start yellowing like this if they are getting a bit too much sun. It also takes almost daily watering for me if they get to the point where the pot is solid roots. I let mine go a bit too long before repotting and they were pretty much busting out of their old pots. Repotting and cutting back on sun exposure may solve your problems.

So what material do you suggest me repot the orchid in? a mix of sphagnum moss and Bark? all sphagnum moss? all bark? thank you so much! also, if you would happen to know where I could find some information on these types of orchids I would greatly appreciate it! I'm a little unsure of how to formulated a good search to find the necessary information

[aliceinwl]

For mine, I grow most in a mix of 5 parts small orchiata 1 part perlite, and one part charcoal. They do great. But, I don’t think they’re picky.

My mom decided to do me a favor and repotted my first two into coarse fir bark and huge pots: I didn’t want to hurt her feelings so I left them be. I expected them to die or at least decline: they have done great. The one that I had busting out of its pot was in pure moss until I repotted it. I’ve also been able to keep these in the peat based pro mix type substrate they’re sold in at the grocery stores (the only orchid I can keep alive in this stuff for over a month).

I think as long as they’re happy with temperature, light, and moisture levels they don’t particularly care what media you use. The only time I’ve had an issue was when I was aggressive about trying to remove all the old substrate. That plant suffered massive root death. Now, I disturb the roots as little as possible when repotting (I just soak and run them under the hose to remove loose substrate) and pot them up.