Bulbo. Elizabeth Ann.

[boabab95]

Well, now I'm hooked on bulbo's (WOOHOOO!!!) And I'm thinking of Bulbo. Elizabeth Ann.

As with my previous bulbo question, lighting? humidity? how fast do they grow?

[gnathaniel]

Originally Posted by boabab95

Well, now I'm hooked on bulbo's (WOOHOOO!!!) And I'm thinking of Bulbo. Elizabeth Ann.

As with my previous bulbo question, lighting? humidity? how fast do they grow?

Culture should be substantially the same as for wendlandianum, ie moist, warm, and moderately bright with regular fertilizer. I wouldn't worry too much about humidity, these plants cope fine with low RH as long as they're watered regularly. The rothschildianum parent of Elizabeth Ann may give it a bit more temperature tolerance than most Bulbos as I think this species has a somewhat montane natural range.

Growth rate will depend mostly on culture, though as a hybrid this one seems a bit more vigorous than are many of the species. Note that it's larger than wendlandianum and has longer internodes (between 2-4" on my plant of the 'Buckleberry' clone) so it'll need more space. Have fun!

--Nat

[boabab95]

Thanks again, I plan on using a custom made 1'X1'X4'' vanda basket, filled with sphag... would this be fine... Oh and i'm fine with it being bigger, i like big plants!!

[gnathaniel]

Originally Posted by boabab95

Thanks again, I plan on using a custom made 1'X1'X4'' vanda basket, filled with sphag... would this be fine... Oh and i'm fine with it being bigger, i like big plants!!

How many growths is the plant you're getting? You might not need such a big basket initially. My Elizab. Ann is 8 or 9 PBs now, I think, and it's got room to expand in its 6"x6" basket. When it outgrows that basket I'll probably just put it into a larger one with more medium as needed. Are you making your basket yourself?

You may also want to mix something else in with the sphagnum. The cheapest (and best) addition I've tried is plain old styrofoam packing peanuts (the white ones are preferable, I'm told). They substantially decrease the density of your medium (and overall weight of plant and basket), creating nice airy pockets throughout the basket that your plant's roots will love. They also pretty much never break down and seem to slow breakdown of the sphag. One of the best bulbo growers I've talked to uses big piles of styrofoam surrounded by moss in many of his baskets.

Good luck with your newer new plant! If you like this hybrid you should check out Bulb. Lovely Elizabeth (Elizabeth Ann x rothschildianum), it can also be spectacular:

Cirrhopetalum (Bulbophyllum) Lovely Elizabeth ‘Marble Branch’ AM/AOS, CCM/AOS

--Nat

[boabab95]

thanks again!

Im not sure, have to go to Cloud's Orchid's later and see... yes I made the basket... it's a solid pine, not coating. should i coat it at all?

[elizann]

Elizabeth Ann is a very easy orchid. As long as it gets the right light (not direct but bright,and watered every day to every other day and a warm house). They bud and bloom with not much work. A wonderful orchid to have.

[BikerDoc5968]

This is my B. Elizabeth Ann 'Buckleberry' growing in a 6" basket. Normally, it hangs along with the other Bulbos, but for its photo opt I moved it out into the open. I've taken at least 4 divisions from this plant in the past year and a half and given them away in trades with others on this board. So, if you have a basket that is a foot square, I guess you're going to have a very large plant!

[boabab95]

thanks guys!!! and great pics!

[elizann]

It is blooming!

[SOS]

Its very cool you can grow a mounted Bulbo so well in your home. Good job!