Bulbo newbie... recommendations?

[boytjie]

Hello, all. Getting "bored" with my Catts and Phals, time to branch out. I've been fascinated with the Bulbophyllums and Cirrhopetalums I've seen on eBay and on Andy's site. Thinking I might take the plunge. Question is this: what's a good fairly easy species and/or hybrid to start with? I don't have a lot of space to work with, so something compact -- and fairly easy, if possible, since I'm new at this genus -- would be best. I grow my plants under a bank of four T5 bulbs, with a fan close by. Thanks!

[JennS]

Well, I only have one bulbo, but I think it is extremely easy to grow and has really cool flowers. Here is a picture of one of the flowers off mine (keep in mind this flower was a bit old and you cannot see the cool long tails that it has)



That is the plant in the background in a 4" pot. Each year I have had to double the size of the pot, so it grows alot and very fast. I did give my mom a few pieces of it recently, but other then that I have kept it entact. I think the light requirements are in between a Phal and Catt, but if they are both happy growing there a Bulbo might be too.

Mine is pretty light green from being outside, but I think it could take less light. It produces 2 flowers per spike and each bulb gets 1 or 2 spikes (but that is only with having it a few years, so I don't know if it can flower more). Last year I had over 20 flowers!

Oh, I forgot, they do not stink either, and the lip actually moves if you move the plant (or as some people do, if you touch it).... The name of this one is Bulb. Doris Dukes.

You can click on the pic for a bigger view. The fringe on it is much more pronounced though then in the picture and it flowers around November.

[JennS]

Sorry, I didn't see you say you didn't have much space. You could always divide it yearly and give away divisions because it seems to grow every which way and because of that it flowers all over. Good luck on your search!

[Don Perusse]

I think Bulbo Angel Wings is an easy one to grow. Sm pseudobulbs that put out a runner then a new pseudo. In other words linked together. Mine hangs on bench, with only spagh. They like shallow containers, like a saucer. Bottom half of mine is plastic scrubby with the spagh. on top. Doesn't sit in water tho stays moist. Where the rose color is shown, there is a little cap or lip that bobs up and down when touched. NO unpleasant odor. Delicate and prettier than Doris Dukes, no offense JennS

[ottercottage]

Hello, my three recommendations would be pardalotum, ambrosia and kalimpong. Compact growers with small, pretty flowers. (None are stinky!) Currently I'm growing them in mixed media, small plastic pots, as south exposure windowsill plants - they are doing great. (I live in WA state on the coast.) Kalimpong appears to be the most energetic, putting out 3 new growths now. I plan to mount them next spring and give that a shot.

[boytjie]

Thanks! After doing some research on suggestions, I think I'll try B. Kalimpong. I found a grower in Washington State (Olympic Orchids) that offers them with multiple growths, previously bloomed, mounted on cork. Sounds exactly like what I'm looking for. I appreciate the help and the advice!

[ottercottage]

I do think that's a good choice. Olympic Orchids is exactly the same place I'm going for the cork mounts in the future. Good luck!

[boytjie]

Dang! Just got a message from Olympic Orchids that I missed the last Kalimpong. The owner (I assume) is very graciously offering two other species for the price that I paid for the Kalimpong. These are what she offered. Given that I'm looking for a smaller, fairly easy species, which two might be good choices?
B. auratum, ambrosia, blepharistes, sikkimensis, vaginatum, corolliferum, putidum, lasiochilum, scaberulum, cocoinum, trichosepalum, odoratissimum, falcatum, biflorum, dearei, ornatissimum, or macranthum. (Sorry, I know that's a lot of names.)

[ottercottage]

Ask this orchid merchant - CORDELIA HEAD -<jlorchid@snet.net> - she may have a kalimpong for you.
If this link does not work, please email me privately.

[ottercottage]

I would also go for the ambrosia and dearei if necessary. Just my opinion.