Stalled growth with bulbs

[HiOrcDen]

I have been trying to grow a Habenaria Radiata (forgive me forgetting the new correct name) as well as a Blue Arhitectual, both from bulbs (again, forgive if bulb is not the correct term)

The Egret grew quickly to just under a centimeter quickly, but over the following few weeks till now, it's just creeped up a few millimeters more, and that's it.

The Blue Orchid really sprouted up quickly, to about three inches, and sprouting an extra leaf. However this one has also completely stalled since that early growth.

I am a bit perplexed as to the reason for this. I feel there is something new I need to know. I am keeping the Egret moist with distilled water and dilute fertilizer, as it is barely more than a bulb. Since the Blue is sprouted I allow to dry and fully water with dilute fertilizer.

Should I perhaps stop using fertilizer with them altogether, for now until they grow, as I understand one should not fertilize bulbs? Should I be using distilled water or tap? I'm not using distilled for the Blue; if I switch from tap to distilled could that be harmful (just being cautious)

Also, is the Egret ready to let dry before watering, and also to fertilize? Again, the green sprout is only about 5 mm. Should I not be fertilizing either, even though the Blue is several centimeters?

Oh and I should I maybe put a clear humidity dome on them?

in advance!

[estación seca]

Pecteilis/Habenaria radiata is a bog orchid. Stand the pot in water. Moist isn't enough.

I don't know what the other one is but it also probably needs to be wet.

[Roberta]

What is the "Blue Orchid"? If it's a Thelymitra, the bloom time for that is pretty much past. If it is still green, keep watering it. Cut back on the water and eliminate it once it turns brown. Hopefully it had enough energy to make a new tuber even if it didn't bloom. (You can unpot and peek in a month or so) But without a name (scientific name) my advice is a wild guess. Making a guess at "Thelymitra" it also depends on with one... Thel. cyanea has a much shorter dormancy than most of the others, and doesn't need to dry out much.


As for the Pecteilis radiata, I have never had any luck with that one so can't advise. But it is, indeed a bog orchid, by this time it should be quite wet. And in winter, when dormant, a bit of moisture may be useful but it also will need the refrigerator. Good luck...

[HiOrcDen]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Pecteilis/Habenaria radiata is a bog orchid. Stand the pot in water. Moist isn't enough.

I don't know what the other one is but it also probably needs to be wet.

Right I will keep it wet. Though, should I fertilize the Radiata, as I've heard not to fertilize bulbs? It has a tiny green shoot, so is it ready to fertilize?

Originally Posted by Roberta

What is the "Blue Orchid"? If it's a Thelymitra, the bloom time for that is pretty much past. If it is still green, keep watering it. Cut back on the water and eliminate it once it turns brown. Hopefully it had enough energy to make a new tuber even if it didn't bloom. (You can unpot and peek in a month or so) But without a name (scientific name) my advice is a wild guess. Making a guess at "Thelymitra" it also depends on with one... Thel. cyanea has a much shorter dormancy than most of the others, and doesn't need to dry out much.


As for the Pecteilis radiata, I have never had any luck with that one so can't advise. But it is, indeed a bog orchid, by this time it should be quite wet. And in winter, when dormant, a bit of moisture may be useful but it also will need the refrigerator. Good luck...

Okay, that's an interesting method. I will have to look at Thelymitra, for reference. Is 'Arhitectual' the scientific name, perhaps?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by HiOrcDen

Right I will keep it wet. Though, should I fertilize the Radiata, as I've heard not to fertilize bulbs? It has a tiny green shoot, so is it ready to fertilize?



Okay, that's an interesting method. I will have to look at Thelymitra, for reference. Is 'Arhitectual' the scientific name, perhaps?

If it is sprouting, it's ready to fertilize (lightly). I have never heard of not fertilizing those orchids that come from tubers. They need the energy and minerals to grow new tubers for next year.

No Architectual is not a scientific name. What is the name of the plant as you received it? (I'd hesitate to buy any plant from a vendor who supplied only a descriptive or common name, would imply to me that they don't know anything about the plant) Did you at least have a picture? Something inspired you to buy it.

[HiOrcDen]

Yes it was the picture that inspired me, and especially the elusive nature of blue flowers! I'm having trouble adding the pic... will try a couple of tricks lol..okay, here it is. Does someone recognize it?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by HiOrcDen

Yes it was the picture that inspired me, and especially the elusive nature of blue flowers! I'm having trouble adding the pic... will try a couple of tricks lol

Click on Go Advanced. Then scroll down to Manage Attachments. You'll get a pop-up that lets you add photos from your hard drive, then upload.

Or you can add a link to a photo on a shared drive (such as Google Photos)

[HiOrcDen]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Click on Go Advanced. Then scroll down to Manage Attachments. You'll get a pop-up that lets you add photos from your hard drive, then upload.

Or you can add a link to a photo on a shared drive (such as Google Photos)

Okay sounds easier

[Roberta]

Not an orchid at all. Looks like a lily of some sort, or maybe related to the Passiflora group. So info about Thelymitra or any other orchid is not applicable. It's pretty, not a clue as to what it is. Without some basic info about the plant (especially location data) it's impossible to give any useful advice at all.

[HiOrcDen]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Not an orchid at all. Looks like a lily of some sort, or maybe related to the Passiflora group. So info about Thelymitra or any other orchid is not applicable. It's pretty, not a clue as to what it is. Without some basic info about the plant (especially location data) it's impossible to give any useful advice at all.

I agree It reminds me of a passion flower and a toad lily.