Bulbo's in Sphagnum - Page 2 - Orchid Board

Sandy4453 · #11 10-20-2008, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandma M

Mounted plants hate me.

Marilyn

LOL. They don't like me much either. I much prefer potted, right now anyway, with my growing setup.

You can use CHC, perlite or small bark chips...anything to keep the mix airy. The tree fern is great for Phals too. They love it.

EdinAZ · #12 10-20-2008, 01:31 PM

I grow mine in pots, but I have started (about 6 months ago) using a mix of spag, fine CHC, charcoal and a little diatomite. It's about 1/3 spag. New growth response has been great, we'll see how/if bloom improves, but from the look of the plants it should.

I've always had "mix problems" with bulbos . . . spag was too dense/wet, coco, bark, charcoal was too dry/airy. This sort of combo seems like a good idea so I'm encouraged that others are doing it too.

Ed

Mike O'C · #13 10-21-2008, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy4453

Thought you might like to see my re-pots that I did this afternoon on a few of my Bulbos. I'm using a different medium than I have in the past and finally figured a way to use sphag. where it doesn't get weighed down or suffocate the roots, by adding equal amounts of CHC and about 1/4 the amount of tree fern fibers. I tried this on my B. makoyanum which has shown great results.

I hope any Bulbo enthusiasts reading this, feel free to add any advice or pointers or, just enjoy seeing mine!

Pic #1: B. trichocephalum (S), B. cornu-cervi (S)
Pic #2: B. sumatranum (S), B. Fantasia (H)
Pic #3: B. makoyanum (S)

Sandy, I grow mine mainly in a clay pot in pine bark the size of a thumbnail and cover that with a layer of sphagnum. If I tie them to a piece of wood/branch of a tree I usually put a wad of sphagnum between the wood and the plant. I was brought a plant by somebody (a Japanese species of Bulbophyllum) and it was growing in pure sphagnum. I think the secret is to try out various media and observe how the plant reacts. If it does nothing then change the media.

Sandy4453 · #14 10-21-2008, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike O'C

I think the secret is to try out various media and observe how the plant reacts. If it does nothing then change the media.

I agree with you, Mike. I originally had my masdevalliaceum in bark/coir. It did nothing until I switched to equal parts sphag/tree fern/sponge rock (perlite). It immediately grew a new bulb. I now have all my Bulbos in the same mix (and some Phals and Paphs, too). In fact, I'm beginning to think most Bulbos (like Paphs) like being repotted. It wakes them up or, something. I've also noticed that if I sometimes let them dry instead of constant wet feet, they thank me with a surge of new activity/growth.

Bolero · #15 10-21-2008, 08:04 AM

I have just bought my first two Bulbo's so I'm hardly an expert. One is in park and perlite and the other is in Coconut Chips and Perlite. Since the roots commence above the mix I decided to add sphagnum as a top dressing. Just a light layer to keep moisture in but not to wet. Hopefully it works.