Cirrhopetalum fertilizer? - Orchid Board

kiki-do · #1 06-06-2008, 09:12 PM

Hello to all of you. I am hoping someone who grows Cirrhopetalums can help me with this question. I've read that these plants need a boost of blood meal in the spring. I just bought blood meal, and wondering how to apply it to my orchid plant. It's my only Cirr. and it's growing fairly well in a basket mount in NZ sphagnum moss. It has one new spike coming and I would like to give it that extra boost. Any help would be appreciated.
Also, I read where we should be using rain water or distilled but I've been using well water for all my orchids and they seem to do well, but take a long time to rebloom for certain orchids. Is the well water to blame for slowness on reblooms?

kiki-do · #2 06-07-2008, 12:26 AM

isurus79 · #3 06-07-2008, 02:20 AM

Well, Im not expert on Bulbos, but I do have one Cirrhopetalum primary hybrid and its just sitting on a log growing like mad. It gets a combo of city water and rainwater (because I grow outside) and a 20-20-20 watering regimen. It grows and blooms like a weed and I never do any kind of bloom booster type thing. Im actually in the camp that thinks any kind of bloom booster is snake oil! I doubt that your well water would negatively affect your orchids unless it was REALLY hard. If thats the case, then you might see some calcium buildup on the leaves and light for photosynthesis might be hindered. Basically, I wouldnt worry about any kind of bloom boosters for your 'chids, but since you already bought some, hopefully someone will chime in with some advice!

kiki-do · #4 06-07-2008, 08:37 AM

Thanks Steve, for all your advice. When I got this plant, it wasn't in the best of shape. It's growing very slowly, but I really want to help it along a bit. Any other help with bloodmeal applications?

BikerDoc5968 · #5 06-07-2008, 11:36 AM

This question has been aswered but I felt like adding my

As you can see from the pic, I grow mine in bark. I've had it for about 2 yrs.; it was destine for the garden center dumpster when I got it. The planting material was bone dry and the PB's....all 4 of them were shrinking as I walked from the store. This past winter it delighted me with 2 inflorescences with 5 flowers each. Now it is growing several new PB's. I have used only Better-Gro (20-14-13 + essential elements) fertilizer and day old tap water. In the fall I switch to 11-35-15.

gmdiaz · #6 06-07-2008, 11:43 AM

Wow, BikerDoc, great growing!

Mine is much more of a sprawling grower! Lays sort of flat, doesn't it? Hmmm. . .wondering if I need to increase light directly above it to encourage upward growth?

ruthann · #7 06-07-2008, 12:53 PM

I just got a B. medusae which is mounted on a piece of small wood. How do I switch it to bark? What part of the plant do I put on the pot (first time I have seen one), The bulbs are wrinkled, is that normal?? Should I soak it in water with KLN rooting mix? HELP!! ruth ann

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #8 06-07-2008, 07:38 PM

How shriveled are the pseudobulbs? Are the older pseudobulbs shriveled or what seems to be newer ones.

If it's the older pseudobulbs, that's normal. Newer ones, then the roots were either damaged or it was underwatered.

Whatever rooting hormone or growth additive that you guys know of that works for orchids is fine.

How small of a piece of wood was it mounted on? Bulbophyllum medusae is a medium sized Bulbo with 1/2"-1" pseudobulbs and leaves that can grow to be 4"-5" in length. Root stock on these are fairly long for Bulbos (2"-3"). The creeping rhizome keep each pseudobulb around 1"-1 1/2" apart.

You've got a winner of a Bulbo, it's flowers are fragrant rather than pungent. They smell sweet and spicey. Flower clusters are pretty good sized too! It's not one of those Bulbos with huge plants and tiny flowers.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #9 06-07-2008, 07:56 PM

Althought people have succeeded in growing Bulbos potted, I highly recommend beginners mount them.

There are commercially available shallow pots for rambling plants like Bulb and Cirr. Shallow trays, dishes, or drainage pans for pots have been used also. Make sure to have plenty of holes without breaking them. I've seen people use wood chips and sphagnum on top to cover the wood for the medium.

I personally mount all my Bulb's and Cirr's, I find it easier.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #10 06-07-2008, 07:58 PM

Bury only the roots. Try not to bury the rhizomes.

Some Bulbos bloom from the rhizome. You can also catch rot and easily remove without making a mess by not burying the rhizome.