Eulophia culture?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Mike, I think the trigger to flower your Eulophia is simulating a burning grassland.

Through extensive research (although not conclusive), I've found out that alot of the orchids in the fynbos of South Africa bloom irregularly and what triggers their bloom cycle is a wild fire.

Eulophias have been very difficult to research. Their requirements are species specific. Two different species from the same South African fynbos may not have the same way of culturing (ie. species one needs fire to bloom, species two doesn't).

Eulophias come in one of two general forms:

1. Ones that grow from underground tubers.
2. Ones that have pseudobulbs.

Even amongst this generalization there are variations of each one.

Making matters worse is that the Eulophias from Africa grow differently from Eulophias from Asia (different soil types, different seasonal rains).

[Don Perusse]

Mike I don't think I would consider a control burn in order to get my Eulophia to bloom. hee hee

[orchids3]

I need to take some pictures myself - will do - my Eulophida is in full bloom right now and I need to charge my batteries to photograph a display I put in at a show.
Loasds of spikes on my Eulophia right now.

[Mike O'C]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Mike, I think the trigger to flower your Eulophia is simulating a burning grassland.

Through extensive research (although not conclusive), I've found out that alot of the orchids in the fynbos of South Africa bloom irregularly and what triggers their bloom cycle is a wild fire.

Eulophias have been very difficult to research. Their requirements are species specific. Two different species from the same South African fynbos may not have the same way of culturing (ie. species one needs fire to bloom, species two doesn't).

Eulophias come in one of two general forms:

1. Ones that grow from underground tubers.
2. Ones that have pseudobulbs.

Even amongst this generalization there are variations of each one.

Making matters worse is that the Eulophias from Africa grow differently from Eulophias from Asia (different soil types, different seasonal rains).

Just in passing "fynbos" to me has a specific coonotation and refers to the vegetation of the winter rainfall area of South Africa where I know of only two Eulophias, one of which is robably saprophytic and would therefore be generally hard to grow. Recently I and two of my orchid growing friends wrote an article in the South African Orchid Journal (now a Yearbook or bi-annual publication) about the discovery of Eulophia graminea, an Asian species that is spreading widely even down to Australia and becoming a weed, growing here in Durban, South Africa on a waste fill site. Well I collected two plants and tried to grow them and Yes, you have guessed it! the "weed" would not grow.
Otherwise I agree about them needing a trigger to make them flower.
Keep well and kind regards
Mike

[Mahon]

That looks to be Eulophia graminea, but could be one of many of the Asiatic Eulophia.

Since it is in spike, it should really be planted in a terrestrial mix quickly. Asiatic Eulophia are not as picky as African Eulophia species, but need to be in some sort of substrate.

The mix I would suggest is easy and cheap. Eulophia get big quick, so I would suggest a shallow 8" pot, with the very bottom layer consisting of standard orchid media (any if fine), then layered with small gravel and mulch (loosely packed). That layer is the "grabbing" and "food" layer, where the roots will usually stay and hang around. Decomposing mulch and matter is a delicacy for Asiatic (and our American) Eulophia. The bulb should be carefully positioned atop the mulch so that about 2/3 of the bulb will stick up out of the top layer of media (that will be applied). The top layer can be potting soil, native dirt, or a purchased terrestrial mix. A top dressing can be applied to make it attractive, if desired.

Good luck, and do post pics of the blooms!

-Pat

[greenthumb86]

i have a eulophia keithii that i got last winter - not really sure what i'm doing with it but it seems to be doing extremely well. The plant looks something like this -

Eulophia keithii | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

except, the leaves on mine are more then 2 feet long (seriously). I believe the bulbs can be separated and planted individually to get new plants. Mine has 1 large one, 3 slightly smaller (medium ones?), and 1 small one (assuming the largest bulb is the max size) If anyone is interested in a bulb, I would be more then happy to trade for a couple of different phal plants. I will also provide pictures if requested -

[hosshead]

I have recently acquired an Eulophia petersii from, of all sellers, a cactus guy in Texas. he grows this like a succulent, agave type culture.
Sandy soil, kind of like one finds described in the IOSPE about Eulophia petersii description.
So, anyway, I received it bare-root, I'm using a bonsai type mix with some larger chunks of charcoal to have clean drainage and a few bits of spagnum near the bottom to make a modest moister retaining substrate, yet with plenty of other charcoal chips to keep things draining.
It does indeed have thick, saw-edged leaves that feel almost agave-like,atop wrinkled cylindrical pseudobulbs and it has 3 new growths that are lovely and green and it seems very healthy.

Maybe the roots will "smell" that charcoal and think that the savannah has caught fire...thus causing this interesting and odd plant to EXPLODE into bloom.....

snicker.

Maybe this will bump the thread back to attention and maybe somebody else has a petersii?

[edub9]

Want to trade, I have eulophia graminea.

Originally Posted by greenthumb86

i have a eulophia keithii that i got last winter - not really sure what i'm doing with it but it seems to be doing extremely well. The plant looks something like this -

Eulophia keithii

except, the leaves on mine are more then 2 feet long (seriously). I believe the bulbs can be separated and planted individually to get new plants. Mine has 1 large one, 3 slightly smaller (medium ones?), and 1 small one (assuming the largest bulb is the max size) If anyone is interested in a bulb, I would be more then happy to trade for a couple of different phal plants. I will also provide pictures if requested -