Medusa and Cirrhopetalum Elizabeth Ann “Buckleberry” in bloom!

[utah]

Yeah! Despite temps in the high 90s, a week of straight rain, and a cold snap last week, my fussy bulbos are blooming.

Here are the first blooms from my Medusas my Cirrhopetalum Elizabeth Ann “Buckleberry”. (Not rothschidianum as listed in subject - sorry, my bad)

There are all thriving quite well in the new greenhouse. I think that the tree frog and anole free range "fertilizer" helps.

They get soaked once a day (with just the hose) at sunset. The greenhouse is covered in 40% shade cloth and the bulbos are hanging near the door which is always opened for ventilation. The humidity will drop to around 20% in late afternoon then I'll soak them so they can soak it up over night. They haven't had any fertilizer (other than frog and lizard poop) since April.

My "Darwin theory" of orchid care seems to be agreeing with the bulbos. (And I haven't lost a single orchid out there and I'm growing everything from Vandas to bulbos in those conditions)

The photos are a bit fuzzy - my Blackberry isn't great at close up photos.

[Oscarman]

Nice stuff Utah. Not really my thing, but I am facinated but the complexity these orchids display in their flowers.

[Grandma M]

They are both great but especially the Medusa. I would like for mine to bloom but possibly it isn't mature enough.

Marilyn

[Bolero]

Interesting flowers! Congratulations on growing them so well.

[RosieC]

I love Medusa and yours is looking wonderful.

I also find the bulbo a facinating flower.

[cb977]

I made the correction to your thread title, hope you don't mind

They're both fantastic...and stinky, right?

I'll just enjoy yours from afar
Job well done

[utah]

Thank you - I edited the post but couldn't fix the title. Thanks!

[Roly0217]

I'm soooo showing these pictures to my medusae. It is putting out new growths instead of spikes. What could I be doing wrong??? On the other hand; the more growths it has the bigger the flower display when it blooms so let's just wait and see. Maybe more Sun??

[utah]

Originally Posted by Roly0217

I'm soooo showing these pictures to my Medusa. It is putting out new growths instead of spikes. What could I be doing wrong??? On the other hand; the more growths it has the bigger the flower display when it blooms so let's just wait and see. Maybe more Sun??

I actually thought the Medusa was dying because the bulbs were shriveling then they suddenly put out spikes and bloomed. Maybe you are getting new growth because you are fertilizing them too often?

I was scared to death to put them in the area of the greenhouse I did - it is drier, sunnier, and warmer than bulbos/cirrhos are supposed to like but they just love it there. Yeah, Darwin-gardening.

Oh, and I haven't smelled anything bad there but I have a couple of Oncidiums in bloom that may be compensating.

[kinknstein]

Beauties! Gonna have to get one of the medusae! They are so kool!