Wrinkled bulbs - Orchid Board

Pupka · #1 03-09-2007, 11:46 PM

Hi, I'm a newbie here and your patience is very appreciated!

Recently I bought a third orchid from oncidium alliance and they all have the same problem: very wrinkld bulbs. The thing is that when they arrive there is nothing wrong with their bulbs -- they are very stuffed and round. But on the next day already the bulbs get wrinkled. I suppose it's something to do with humidity, but my orchids grow in bathroom and humidity level there does not drop below 40%. Is it still not enough for them?
Same problem with cattleyas, too.

cneos · #2 03-10-2007, 12:01 AM

I would examine the roots (repot). Sounds like roots may be in bad shape to begin with especially if pseudobulbs begin to shrivel within a few days after getting to your place.

Ross · #3 03-10-2007, 08:43 AM

While it is common for backbulbs to be wrinkled (pleated) the most current bulbs should not be. It's a sign of lack of water. What are they planted in? If sphagnum, then that's your culprit. Oncididiums like their water but the roots can't stand to be wet all the time.

Ray · #4 03-10-2007, 08:49 AM

To kind of "focus in" on the good comments above, it's likely not a humidity issue, but is definitely because the plant is not getting enough water, and there are two common reasons that can happen:

You simply aren't watering enough, or
As has been mentioned, the root system is compromised, and they are unable to take water in.

Definitely unpot the plant and check the roots.

Pupka · #5 03-10-2007, 10:30 AM

Thank you for your responses!

Maybe I should have mentioned some detailes... As soon as I received my oncidiums, I repoted them, because they were packed with bad care, all the bark was otside the pot and very very dry. I repoted them in the same pot, but put them in a special orchid mix. I did the same with my beallara, and it's doing fine up until now. The bulbs, however, remain shriveled, and I water them pretty often ( but not too often ). So, it's more likely that there is something with the roots, however, at the time of repoting I didn't notice anything out of shape. They both have good white roots. Is there a hope that with time the bulbs will get normal condition?

cneos · #6 03-10-2007, 11:17 AM

Just a thought ... did you soak the special orchid mix before you repotted? If media is not thoroughly wet when you repot, media will suck the life from its surrounding roots, pseudobulbs, etc. I would check the roots again. You want to have nice velamen (white tissue surrounding roots) and tips of roots should be green (indicating new growth). Shriveled bulbs may never completely recover - what's important is that new pseubulbs are plump.

Pupka · #7 03-10-2007, 11:36 AM

Oops! Thank you, cneos, for advice. I didn't know that I should have soaked the mix... So, I should repot the plants again? Wouldn't it be too stresstful for them... ?

Ross · #8 03-10-2007, 12:21 PM

Why not leave them in the pots right now for another 24 hours. During this time soak the bark mix, preferrable with R.O. or distilled water. You could add a tiny bit of fertilizer (won't hurt) but that's not really necessay right now. Soak the bark overnight (you'll have to weight it down to keep it under the water.) Then tomorrow repot the orchids. No it won't hurt them as much as leaving them dry. Sounds like roots may be OK.