Encyclia radiata finally blooms - but I don't know....

[mauraec]

I've given up on it....it is just too robust to be trained and I'm just not good enough to do it. I'll just stick to orchids and enjoy others' efforts.

Glad to see you're back with the orchids and the photography. That 105 lens is one awesome piece of glass. My youngest son, Sam has just bought a D600 to replace his D7000 and he is very pleased with the pictures taken by it.

Thank you so much, Yew. It felt good to spend a day just photographing my plants, and you're right - the 105 lens is amazing - and very demanding. I've heard people who are real photographers generally disliked the D7000 - I'm not even sure I know what Nikon did with the D series after the D300s, which added movies - I'll be interested to hear how your son likes his D600. I'll post my 3 remaining bonsais when I have a chance.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Look like bacterial just cut it so nice the flowers.

I agree. Beautiful photos and blooms Maura!!

cheers,
BD

[BValdes]

Maura this is a beautiful bloom and also really really glad you're back...

[mauraec]

Maura this is a beautiful bloom and also really really glad you're back...

Thank you so much, Beny!

[orchidsal]

Very fine flowers Maura. I also would not be to worried about those spots. AL

[Dorsetman]

Really? I hardly ever fertilize - in fact I don't always even manage weekly/weakly.

However, the plant may still have compost around its roots which contains too much stuff - from past fertiliser applications or just from decay of the compost ( yes, even if it is inorganic - even rock wool decomposes ).
Assuming you have a meter - surely you have a meter Maura ? - try this . Take some plain water - distilled, non-ionic or rain- whatever; measure the EC and the pH. Should come out about pH 6.0, EC <75. Pour this into the plant, let most drain out, then catch the last tablespoonful or so. Then take some meter readings of that last drainage. If using bark compost which has started to decompose, you may be shocked at what you get - I have seen pH 4, and EC 1200... That means that the roots are being killed , and the plant will be in less than perfect health. This would certainly explain the die back from leaf-tips.
As to the spots, which are bacterial in origin, they are very difficult to avoid if you have good humidity ; there isa paradox here ; low humidity means no leaf spots , but poor plant health . High humidity means great plants, but high risk of bacterial and fungal infections. The great trrick is finding the right compromise. When you have that figured, let me know would you ?

Will pm you later in reply elsewhere.
Best ,
G.

[mauraec]

However, the plant may still have compost around its roots which contains too much stuff - from past fertiliser applications or just from decay of the compost ( yes, even if it is inorganic - even rock wool decomposes ).
Assuming you have a meter - surely you have a meter Maura ? - try this . Take some plain water - distilled, non-ionic or rain- whatever; measure the EC and the pH. Should come out about pH 6.0, EC <75. Pour this into the plant, let most drain out, then catch the last tablespoonful or so. Then take some meter readings of that last drainage. If using bark compost which has started to decompose, you may be shocked at what you get - I have seen pH 4, and EC 1200... That means that the roots are being killed , and the plant will be in less than perfect health. This would certainly explain the die back from leaf-tips.
As to the spots, which are bacterial in origin, they are very difficult to avoid if you have good humidity ; there isa paradox here ; low humidity means no leaf spots , but poor plant health . High humidity means great plants, but high risk of bacterial and fungal infections. The great trrick is finding the right compromise. When you have that figured, let me know would you ?

Will pm you later in reply elsewhere.
Best ,
G.

Thank you, Geoff. I suspect you and Julie are right - I was thinking only about my own fertlizing habits, and I have not indeed repotted this one yet. I know this will shock you, Geoff, but I have yet to acquire an EC/pH meter. I have light meters, hygrometers, all sorts of medium-amending materials (limestone, oyster shells, Miracid), a rain meter, 5 variously placed thermometers, but only when we had Siamese Fighting Fish did I have a pH meter and I've no idea where that has gone to. I am relieved to know the spotting is from the lose-lose/win-win amount of humidity it receives (about 60% on average, and even more this soggy summer in Atlanta). I will, of course, look into getting myself a proper meter, and until I can afford one, I will plan to repot the Encyclia once it's past blooming. The more I think about it, the more conviced I am that the medium is decomposing - particularly in view of the fact that neither of my other Encyclia species have the slightest sign of bacterial damage, and one was potted upon arrival from a trans-atlantic voyage, the other I repotted shortly after it bloomed last year.