New leaves smaller than the old

[leigha]

Wondering if anybody knew the cause for new leaf growth to come in smaller than the last. I have a couple of Bulbos. that this is happening too. Too little light/water?
Otherwise the plant looks healthy.
thanks

[orchidsamore]

A combination of everything that causes plants to grow.

You are probably not watering as consistent as a nursery greenhouse (consistency not quantity) and the same with fertilizer. Many nurseries fertilize several times a week, much more than hobbyist. Again consistency is important. Temperature and humidity affect watering and the ability of the plant to retain moisture and its growth size.

An example is that in Florida heat, it is impossible without extensive cooling to grow Oncidium as large as they are grown on Hawaiian mountain sides. The plants stay smaller to retain moisture evaporation.

Similarly Hawaii does not get the growth rate on Cattleya that we get in our Florida heat.

[RobS]

My Encyclia's regulary develop shorter leaves but with a larger bulb. If this is the case with your plants don't worry. I suspect more light is the reason my plants grow short / compact.

[Jennyfleur]

Hmm, I can't comment on Bulbos, but I've had a couple of phals which have thrown out smaller leaves when they've been growing during heaving flowering. One had three spikes on the go during leaf growth and that ended up half the size, the next one grew normally. The other started growing another new leaf while the other was only half size and they both kind of grew together. In these cases, I just put it down to over-enthusiastic growth! I do agree with orchidsamore though, irregular water/ fertiliser can also have an impact

[leigha]

thanks for the input. I have since moved the plant to a vivarium with better lighting and higher humidity. Have always watered once a day (is a mounted plant) but dried out quickly. Will see if its new home will fare better. ..

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

It will do better, but unless you have control over the temperature changes, it may have difficulty blooming.

Of what I've seen, the trigger for Bulbos blooming are temperature variances between day and night, as well as seasonal changes. The seasonal changes and day-to-night changes in temperature must be within the range of the temperatures in their general natural geographical range, along with the temperature ranges they experience within the general range of elevations they are found at in the wild.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Incidentally what kinds of Bulbos are they?

[leigha]

Unfortunately I don't have much control over the temperatures -
B. medusae
B. campanulatumxauratum

The medusae had flowered once shortly after I bought it then has done nothing since (smaller leaves) - I guess from greenhouse to home.
The hybrid has not flowered and also suffers from smaller leaves
Both have healthy fat pseudobulbs, however.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The smaller pseudobulbs are usually not a big problem.

If the pseudobulbs are reduced in size, but are still large enough to produce blooms, they will bloom regardless.

The blooming issue might be related more to temperature variance. A 10 F degree difference between day and night usually does the trick if it's the correct season for blooming.

Not all Bulbos bloom during the spring btw.

You could also try looking for Bulbos that grow cool to intermediate or are temperature tolerant. There are a few of these running around.

I kinda wish I had space for Bulb. medusae, they're really cool looking and they smell nice too.