Mushy pseudobulbs on bulbophyllum EAB

[Allan panda]

Hi everyone, I'm very new to torchidboard! I currently grow orchids in my room by the windowsill. This morning as I was watering I noticed that the bulbophyllum EAB couple months ago have soft back bulbs. Is it a type of disease?? Is the plant pretty much dead?

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board.

The plant doesn't look dead. Bulbophyllums need a very large amount of water. Many people soak the medium every day.

[Roberta]

I see several new roots. Plant is very much alive. Old growths will eventually wither, but they feed the new ones that will be along soon.

[Allan panda]

Okay, will definitely keep an eye on it. Thank you all!

[DeaC]

When pbulbs become mushy,I cut them off and apply cinnamon powder to the exposed area only which is left behind. Cinnamon is a dessicant so try not to let it come into contact with healthy roots. EAB is a gorgeous plant.

[Allan panda]

Originally Posted by DeaC

When pbulbs become mushy,I cut them off and apply cinnamon powder to the exposed area only which is left behind. Cinnamon is a dessicant so try not to let it come into contact with healthy roots. EAB is a gorgeous plant.

Yes, I thought of doing that but this is a pretty small plant and it only has three pseudobulbs. Two of them have kind of mushy bulbs and the third is healthy but not fully established yet. The roots look nice and healthy though. I'm thinking if it is possible that the medium is too wet since I keep the humidity at around 80-90% all the time with a humidifier?

---------- Post added at 11:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:57 AM ----------

Originally Posted by estación seca

Welcome to the Orchid Board.

The plant doesn't look dead. Bulbophyllums need a very large amount of water. Many people soak the medium every day.

Is it possible that the plant is too wet? I want to water them everyday but they seem very wet all the time even when once I left it there for a week it still turned out like it was just watered. I grow it in my room with a humidifier so humidity is always around 80-95%.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Allan panda

Is it possible that the plant is too wet? I want to water them everyday but they seem very wet all the time even when once I left it there for a week it still turned out like it was just watered. I grow it in my room with a humidifier so humidity is always around 80-95%.

That is really high humidity, especially if the temperature is not high. In nature, these plants may experience 80% humidity or more, but in an environment where the temperature is 80 - 90 deg F as well (not great for humans...) So your plants probably are staying too wet - and probably colder than they would like to be. Cold and wet is a formula for rot.

[DeaC]

Perhaps an increase in air movement and/or heat mat.

[Leafmite]

I do not have this specific Bulbo but I grow mine in high humidity (a covered ten gallon aquarium) with variable temperatures. I use shallow dishes filled with NZ sphagnum moss for most and the others are mounted on tree fern. All of them have their pseudobulbs completely exposed to the air. Yours seem to be planted a bit deep.

If the bulbs are mushy, the disease can easily spread to your new growth. The new pseudobulb is developing roots so maybe you will be able to save it. Good luck!

[Allan panda]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I do not have this specific Bulbo but I grow mine in high humidity (a covered ten gallon aquarium) with variable temperatures. I use shallow dishes filled with NZ sphagnum moss for most and the others are mounted on tree fern. All of them have their pseudobulbs completely exposed to the air. Yours seem to be planted a bit deep.

If the bulbs are mushy, the disease can easily spread to your new growth. The new pseudobulb is developing roots so maybe you will be able to save it. Good luck!

Thanks, just removed the spagnum around the bulbs. They still seem pretty green and visually no sign of rotting just feels slightly squishy. Is it possible to recover?