This is Encyclia alata x Rlc. Toshie Aoki 'Pizazz' AM/AOS and it looks like the pseudobulbs (is that the correct terminology?) are kinda yellowing, puckering and looking a bit sickly, maybe drying up? It's been really hot this summer and the mounted orchids dry out so quickly. The roots look okay to me but I'm not sure if the plant is in distress from lack of enough moisture or under/over fertilizing or what. There's also a new "sprout" growing from one of the bulbs and I'm wondering if it may be getting ready to bloom or is it just new leaves forming? I'd really appreciate any tips/hints y'all can provide.

The plant (looking okay from this angle):

Closer look at the yellowing pseudobulbs:

Close up of the new "sprout":

Lin, your plant looks perfectly fine to me. Older pseudobulbs on these type of Encyclias (yes, it is a hybrid, but the pbulbs look very much like those of the Encyclia parent) ) may not look as green/plump as younger ones and you do have a nice new growth. "Shriveled" would look a LOT worse!

Thanks so much Ursula ... I was so worried that the plant was dying!

My old pseudobulbs can lose their leaves. But the important thing is the new growth. That means it is thriving. BTW, that isn't a spike but the more new growth, the more possibility of spikes later.

Thanks Kathy! I didn't know if it was new growth or a bloom spike. Regarding ugly, ragged leaves on orchids ... is it okay to remove them?

I would hesitate to answer that.
I have seen people going crazy over some dots on some leaves/ thriving for the absolute perfect leaves with the green color just so - I could be looking at the same thing and scratch my head and wonder what that person sees. Totally yellow leaves will fall off and can be collected, or trimmed with a sterile tool without pulling off parts of the healthy tissue. Be aware that some Oncidiums ( see Sharry Baby) show many times spotty leaves without being diseased. Orchids grown in bright light might show a brighter green, some leaves will actually turn reddish brown and spotty - and that is ok for that particular Orchid and so on.
Btw Orchids in nature will look far removed from the perfect plant many hobbyists trying to strive for. That doesn't mean the Orchids in our care should be overgrown, sloppy, with crappy growth - I would strive for a happy medium regarding the trimming of Orchids and let the blooms speak.

Thanks Ursula! I wasn't sure if the proper thing would be to remove any yellowing or bug bitten leaves or not. I always figured in nature plants seem to survive without a human coming along and "prettying or tidying them up", LOL. I realize those who show plants want everything to be pristine and perfect but nature is not perfect. I am one who worries when I see dots or specks or something on my plants but I try to check them thoroughly to make sure it's not a pest doing them harm. When a leaf on my other plants turns real yellow I sterilize my plant scissors with isopropyl alcohol and remove them so I don't know why I thought it wouldn't be okay with an orchid.

I sure appreciate y'alls input and help!

I often wait for a leaf to turn brown and come off easily. With one exception. If they are rotting, I remove the rotting part pronto.
I hate to admit it, but many orchids are plants only a mother could love....

True true here too. But if they bloom, I don't argue with them.

Hey ... sometimes I think I'd pay mine just to show one bloom!

Haha and pay and pay and pay!

cha ching!

This plant has suddenly started looking sad. It spent the entire summer outside with
everyone else...I only have one other L....tenebrosa and it is looking fine. Is this plant a goner?


The sooty appearance does not rub off and is not sticky. I have it in a holding area, pending your
wise advice!

ps:
It is L. purpurata var. carnea 'Hsinying' x
L. purpurata var. carnea 'Lipstick'

It does look a little funky. I don't have any wise advice, I am sorry. I would start googling for image comparison.

I don't know much about orchids at all but my first thought was maybe stress from going from warm weather to cold ... or cold drafts.

Interesting that the pseudobulbs are turning yellow before the leaves. Check the roots.

Good point, Kathy!

I turned the plant out of it's pot today...I'm no expert, but after all the rotting roots I've seen from the scratch and dent table at Lowe's ...
I thought these roots looked pretty good. Several new roots at the leading end of the plant and several places deep in the pot with new
root activity going on. The oldest part of the plant had very little root activity but only 2 little bits that I cut off because they were hollow. I also cut
off the oldest inch or so of the plant , put some cinnamon on the cut and put it back in the pot.