New Bulbo Grower - rothschildianum

[Bolero]

Hi all,

I probably don't have the right growing conditions but thought I would give them a go. It can't hurt......much.

Anyway my first plant arrived today Bulbo rothschildianum which apparently can grow in the cooler conditions I grow in here. I live in a temperate climate and grow outside. Winters are cool and summers are hot.

It arrived in small bark and I'm just wondering as some of the roots are above the bark itself as to whether or not I should give it a topping of sphagnum for the roots sitting in the air? The plant doesn't grow in a straight line and they bulbs sit up above the bulbs and either end of the plant. What do you think? Leave it in bark and have some sphagnum or would that leave it too wet in winter?

Thanks, any tips are welcome. Oh and I am getting a Louis Sander shortly as well.

[Sandy4453]

This is the only group of orchids I pot in spagh. They love it. These plants love to get wet and stay moist, year round. (Some more than others need more drying and less light...they're not all the same so you need to know what yours specifically calls for). Depending on what Bulbo., some grow upwards with roots dangling. You want to keep part of the rhizome resting on the medium and staying moist for those dangling roots to get fed . You'll notice that when you water the plant, those roots will get green-er. These are also heavy fert. feeders.

Mine are in spagh., chopped tree fern and coco husk chips.

Here are some examples....

[Bolero]

Excellent, I will have to repot this weekend and make sure they bulbs are lower in the pot than they currently are.

Thanks for the info!

[cowboy51278]

Ive been told the rothschildianum is the only bulbo that while it likes its water, it also dislikes having its roots soaked all the time. If you go the sphag route then just make sure you give it some time to dry a bit between waterings, or maybe put it in a clay pot to wick moisture or a basket. Ive got mine in an 8" bulb pot in a mixture of fine bark and coarse perlite. Its doing well that way so far. actually has a bloom spike up at the moment. so its either really happy or ive really upset it

[Bolero]

Originally Posted by cowboy51278

Ive been told the rothschildianum is the only bulbo that while it likes its water, it also dislikes having its roots soaked all the time. If you go the sphag route then just make sure you give it some time to dry a bit between waterings, or maybe put it in a clay pot to wick moisture or a basket. Ive got mine in an 8" bulb pot in a mixture of fine bark and coarse perlite. Its doing well that way so far. actually has a bloom spike up at the moment. so its either really happy or ive really upset it

Ah cool, I will put it in finer bark with the perlite, that will work better with my setup unless I put it with the Masdevallias. I will work out the culture I guess with my conditions, it looks really healthy. I know I can kill it if I really try!!!

[Sandy4453]

Originally Posted by cowboy51278

Ive been told the rothschildianum is the only bulbo that while it likes its water, it also dislikes having its roots soaked all the time.

I think B. fascinator is another one that likes it more on the dry side too, I could be wrong though.

[Helen]

I just acquired a small 2 leaf seedling. Does anyone have a picture of the Bulb rothchildianum?
Glad I found the culture info too!
Helen

[Bolero]

Mine hasn't flowered yet so I don't have a photo but you will be impressed if you haven't seen it before.

Do a google search and it should turn up something if there's nothing in this forum.