cirr lepidum care?

[snowberry]

I have a cirr lepidum and am uncertain how to care for it. I had it in direct sunlight over the winter and kept it somewhat dry. the leaves look somewhat light greenish and a little dried out, so I've just watered it. I don't kow what exactly to do. Any advice?

Many thanks,
Snowberry

[RosieC]

Hi Snowberry and welcome to Orchid Board

I'm afraid I can't help with this orchid as I've never grown it. I'm going to move your question into the beginner area as you'll probably get more help in that place.

[snowberry]

Thanks Rosie.
I'd appreciate that. I looked at the plant again today and it seems that the entire thing might need replanting. It's just sitting on sphagnum moss and its roots are not embedded in anything.

snowberry

[quiltergal]

I have one of these. Since it's a fine rooted plant they seem to do better in a smaller sized medium, but it must drain well. Mine is in fine CHC. They don't like to totally dry out but should not be allowed to be soggy wet either. Other than that they're pretty easy growers. Mine likes to bloom in the summer. It needs about 1200-2000 fc of light, so direct sunlight might be too bright. It likes to be grown on the warm side in the 80's throughout the year.

BTW it's been reclassified as a Bulbophyllum.

[snowberry]

Thanks Terri, at this point the bulbs are somewhat shrivelled up. Is this appropriate? The plant is literally sitting on sphagnum moss which is in a square glass container with bark underneath. Not sure what CHC means. I have it in a solarium , but now will give it some shade.

Snowberry

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Only very old pseudobulbs that are about to go out shrivel. New or newer pseudobulbs shouldn't.

If the new or newer pseudobulbs are shriveling it's one of 2 things:

1. Not enough water.

2. Severe root damage.

There's also mounted culture if potted culture doesn't seem to work well for you.

I've found that I can get away with not watering Cirrhopetalums and Bulbophyllums all that much. Especially when their roots are intact.

Even mounted, I've been able to get away with watering only 3 times a week.

Bright shade for lighting is fine.

Moderate to good air circulation.

Moderate to high humidity (50% - 80%) is adequate.

If you want blooms, (should they be blooming size and healthy), a temperature drop of at least 10 F between night and day as well as temperature variations between seasons will do it.

[snowberry]

Thanks so much. THis makes sense. Should I soak the plan in water to boost the bulbs? ? As mentioned the plant is just sitting on moss. It's not rooted. I can actually pick it up. The roots are very small, less than 1/4 of an inch. I don't have anything to mount it on or the actual experience to wire something up.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

If you have a PetCo or a PetSmart they have the pieces of wood that reptiles hide in. That'll work for now until you get a larger piece of wood for later.

Place a thin layer of moss (1 strand thick is good enough) on top of the wood.

Tie the orchid with roots on top of the moss with 10 or 12 pound fishing line. But as you're mounting, leave the fishing line on the spool until you're ready to tie the ends together. Cut only when you're ready to tie the ends together.

If you need to, you can put tape on the end of the fishing line so you don't lose it while you're winding the fishing line and securing the plant in place.

[snowberry]

Thanks Philip,
I can definitely take care of mounting the plant now. Last question (I promise). What about the shrivelled bulbs? Should I soak the plant?

Snowberry

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You can.

It may not be necessary. Just water more often.