Beallara Marfitch 'Howards Dream'

[Ian61]

I am new to growing Orchids. I have a number of Phalaenopsis types. I recently purchased a Beallara Marfitch 'Howards Dream' .
My question is: does it grow from a pseudobulb? The base of my plant (pseudobulb) is deeply wrinkled. Is this normal or is it lacking water. I bought this orchid in this state of "wrinkleness" and was just wondering.

Thanks
Ian

[Lagoon]

Hay there Ian, Welcome to the forum!

Bulbs can become wrinkled from - spikes or while in bloom, Other bulbs growing from the parent bulb, lack of water inside the bulbs and unable to take water up due to root rot. Also they can look like this when becomming a back bulb.
Without a photo is hard to target what stage your orchid is in.

Regards,

[Ian61]

The orchid is presently flowering and appears to be healthy. I am not able to provide a photo, but I do appreciate your feed-back. I have done my research on this particular orchid as to light, location and water requirements etc., but the text that I have viewed did not mention if this "deep wrinkle" part of the stem was a normal thing.

Thank you Gloria for your response.

[quiltergal]

Hi Ian, welcome to OB! I just got this same plant. The older pbulbs are not really wrinkled more vertically grooved. The newer growth has pbulbs that are smoother. Check your plant over carefully before you put it with the other plants in your collection. Beallaras seem to be susceptible to scale. I spent an hour alcohol swabbing the little nasties off of my plant.

[Ian61]

Thanks for the welcome. This is a great site for orchid information.
I think you have answered my query. The older pbulb is indeed vertically grooved and the newer growth is smooth, so I think this maybe a normal appearance, given the fact that the orchid is otherwise healthy looking.
I will monitor the plant over the next little while and let you know how it is doing.
I have another wee question.... The pot that it is currently in ( a plastic one) is cracked and I can tell that the place where I bought it from did not take care of this orchid. Would you recommend that I wait until it has finished flowering to re-pot it into a nicer looking pot?

Thanks
Ian

[Djarum Black]

Hi Ian,

My expereinces with this orchid have been that it requires a good amount of water and humidity when in active growth. When I failed to provide it enough water the pbulbs got really wrinkled. In addition, all the new growth came in stuck together and twisted.

The seller who provided me instructions on this orchid mentioned the need for lots of water during the growing stages but I was afraid of rotting the roots.
I have since switched it's potting medium to coconut chips,shredded husk mixed and fine (light) pea gravel. The medium dries quickly, and I can water and mist it often.
The older pbulbs never really recovered from the damage I did them. However, the new pbulbs are very pretty

[quiltergal]

I'd wait until it's done blooming to repot. Some plants don't seem to mind the trauma of repotting when in bloom. These have pretty small delicate roots and I'd be afraid the blooms would blast. Mine needs repotting too. It's about to fall out of it's existing pot. I'm just waiting for the pots I ordered to arrive.

[Ian61]

Thanks Terri and DJ for you speedy replies. You have both provided me with good information for taking care of my orchid.
I will wait until the flowering is over and will also find some potting medium as mentioned above.

Thanks again
Ian