Encyclia dichroma care tips?

[pedidiva]

Hi~~~

I just purchased a small plant. Tiny, really. It is in a 2" pot with spaghum moss. I was afraid that it would crushed by the fir bark mix that I use on the other orchids that I have. I read this care sheet.

How to Care for an Encyclia Orchid | Garden Guides

Any other suggestions would be appreciated. I know that it will take some time to mature & flower. No biggy.

Thanks~~~
Pedi

[RosieC]

Sorry I can't help, just giving a bump

[pedidiva]

thanks

[RobS]

http://www.orchidspecies.com/orphotd...yghillanyi.jpg

I like pictures of the plant in it's natural habitat. They tell a lot about growing possibilities. As the plant in the picture I own a Encyclia ghilanyi which is a very close relative of Enc. dichroma. I don't own it for a long time but it seems happy lots of new roots and 2 shoots.

A lot of light as you can see they grow on bare rock. This seems to be true for dichroma to as they share a lytophytic growth. But dichroma seems more variable in growing conditions. They should tolerate a wide range of temperatures cooling down during the night (in my case to 15 C).

But never I'd ever put sphagnum on an Encyclia or Cattleya they prefer their roots drying down. I grow most of mine on >90% bark / charcoal and <10% sphagnum / dicksonia. I water frequently and like my plants to dry between waterings. Also I use clay pots as they help avoid wet spots in the mixture.

However yours being a seedling I'd use a plastic pot with fine bark and 20-30% sphagnum.

Just how I'd do it

[tucker85]

Encyclias are very susceptible to fungus. Water them thouroughly and then allow them to dry out completely before watering again. They like fairly bright light and good air movement around the plant. I have some in small 3" net pots with tree fern fiber only. They also do well mounted.

[pedidiva]

thanks gang. I'll put it in some fine bark & clay pot. It is a dear little thing. Thanks for the picture of it in its natural environment. How cool would that be to see orchids in their native habitat.

Thanks again~~
Pedi

[RobS]

Also not sure on this one but in general Encyclia's require a period of reduced watering when the bulb is mature. This can vary from no water to water once every 2-3 weeks when bulbs shrivle to much.

[pedidiva]

I really appeciate everyone's help.

I repotted the babies--there were 4 tiny plants into a 2" clay pot with the fine fir bark, perlite, charcoal. I left them all together as that's how they came. We'll see how they do. One of the wee ones had a tiny little bulb, really quite cute.

As time goes on (read next year), I'll let you know how the littlies are doing.

Pedi

[Leisurely]

It has been almost three years since your post and I am wondering how your plant is doing. I found a seedling on Jewell Orchids website and I was considering getting one.

[member]

Originally Posted by Leisurely

It has been almost three years since your post and I am wondering how your plant is doing. I found a seedling on Jewell Orchids website and I was considering getting one.

Sorry about the necro-post. I too found one from Jewell Orchids. Did you ever get this? If so, how is it doing?