Bulbophyllum medusae just arrived, have some problems?

[Asparago1885]

Hi everyone, sorry for my english, I try my best. This is my first post.. and I’m already asking some help from the experts. I’m relatively new with bulbophyllum and I’m “studying”, but I still have not the “eye” to understand the difference within some imperfections or some problem. Two days ago I received as a gift a Bulbophyllum medusae. Unluckily they told me that there was some delay and this small bulbo has been keep in the darkness for a week or maybe more. When I had received the bulbo I checked the roots and the soil. I think that the result was good, no any visible rot and the substrate was maybe a little bit old but well made and not too wet. I kept this substrate to not traumatize the bulbo in the first period. But.. there are some well-defined black spot and others black areas, especially in the smallest bulb. Also some bulb is tending to yellow. All the areas aren’t soft (like a cactus rot to make an example). I’m keeping the bulbo at 21º-24º C and helping the humidity level with a saucer full of expanded clay and a very light daily vaporization for now. Also good bright light (just from the third day, to acclimate the plant). How I have to act? There are any chances of survival?
Thanks a lot.
P.S. I can make again the photos if aren’t enough to understand.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Bulbos need a lot of water. Many people water them every day. Your plant might have become too cold in transit. And I would water the entire pot, every day or two. The roots should not dry completely.

[Asparago1885]

Thanks for your answer! Is hard to understand the good balance of water. In the pot there is some sphagnum that keep the substrate moist. Anyway now I have watered. But now the smallest bulbo have lost the leaf. The base is black, can be a damage of the ship?

[estación seca]

Yes, can be from shipping.

But also, the underside of the leaf looks like there might be spider mite damage. These are tiny 8-legged arthropods. They are too small for most people to see. It is also possible the damage is old.

Take a piece of bathroom tissue. Wipe it on the underside of the leaf. If there are brown or red streaks, there are spider mites.

If you have spider mites, mix 5ml of liquid dish detergent in 1 liter of water, and spray on the entire plant. This will not kill the eggs. You need to spray every 4-5 days, for 3-4 sprays total.

[Asparago1885]

Thanks for the suggestions. I made the test, all the leaf doesn't present red or brown streaks. I also check the periferic roots, paying attention to not taking out the entire plant and they look well enought (not perfect). I'm inclined to take this problems as old damages, and hope that with the time the plant will be better. Maybe if the bulbos stay green and vital (and, in the worst prediccion, without leaf, but hoping not) will grow, in the right condition. Waiting for the spring. I have another question, for bulbos in general (also orchid): to fertilize I have to wait some new growth or a little bit much (very little) quantity of nutrients will encourage some new growth?

[estación seca]

No fertilizer until they begin to grow. Other things are more important than fertilizer - water, light, temperature, relative humidity.