Bulbophyllum thiurum - Orchid Board

aeranthes · #1 05-16-2011, 03:04 PM

Can anyone advise on he care of ths orchid please. It's lovely as the flowers have long yellow petals (not in flower the moment) but some of the leaves are turning yellow which sounds like overwatering but it can't be as I have watered once a week yet read today they should be grown in moss in order keep them moist longer. I would hate to lose it so can someone help please?

Thank you

Xenophon · #2 09-24-2011, 02:54 AM

Hi Aeranthes,

sounds like you are underwatering it actually.

i live 1 degree off the the equator in Singapore and i water it every 8 hours, just ensure that there's good ventilation to prevent any rotting.

Cheers,
Freddie

Bud · #3 09-24-2011, 04:08 AM

It would be nice to post pictures, so we can acurately advice you.
Freddie is right, if he is in Singapore where theres humidity in the atmosphere and yet he waters every 8 hrs..it means the bulbo in your posession is dehydrated.
I have my mini bulbos inside a large brandy glass sniffer to mimic the humidity of the rain forest...and the bigger bulbos are mounted hanging in the bathroom...that way when I shower every morning it gets the steamy mist ... it gets algae but it is not a threat to the orchid...

aeranthes · #4 09-24-2011, 07:45 AM

Thank you both of you. Sorry I didn't spot these before. I eventually lost all the leaves but arranged the plant in a larger one still with water in the base in an attempt to give more humidity and it now has two new leaves growing quite strongly. I was finding that when I did water the leaves were turning yellow so I assumed it was too much water. Do you grow in bark or moss?

Tindomul · #5 09-24-2011, 08:23 PM

I keep it mounted in a vivarium. Its mounted to tree fern and gets watered almost everyday. I also make sure it dries out every night but it stays moist/wet almost all day. Remember its mounted which means its roots are exposed to the air all the time. That's the only reason the plant is not being over watered.

All this info is how to keep it alive. I have not been able to get it to bloom.

aeranthes · #6 09-25-2011, 05:23 AM

Thank you. I gave up mounting my orchids on bark as they always died due to me forgetting to spray frequently. They certainly are tricky but then I like a challenge so will soldier on with the two I have in pots. I think humidity seems to have been the main problem but time will tell. Thanks for replying

ZWUM · #7 10-03-2011, 12:25 AM

I grow my thiurum in very low light, warm temps, and keep it moist. If the light is just a bit too bright the leaves drop before they can finish maturing. If your only watering once a week, your underwatering like Freddie suggested. The bulbs should be nice and plump and not look shriveled. Maybe you can lower your light levels and increase water to once a day and see what happens. Good Luck!

aeranthes · #8 10-03-2011, 05:57 AM

Oh thanks Zwum

That sounds like good sense to me. I have them in a conservatory that is very bright although I do have blinds which are pulled when at the brightest time of day. I'll move it I think to a shadier spot. The pseudoblulbs have always been plump which is why I thought I was overwatering. When I started growing Bulbos. I didn't succeed with flowering and a nursery advised more light. It has worked with all the others but so far not this one. I shall move it today - thaks again.

ZWUM · #9 10-03-2011, 11:03 AM

Your welcome, I hope that works for you. Just a little FYI, my plant, which just finished flowering, has been in a shady part of our green house with light levels around 500-700 fc. If you have a light meter that should give you a good idea of what it needs. I hope it works for you.

-zach

Tindomul · #10 10-03-2011, 11:26 AM

Wow! Had no idea this was a shade lover. Thanks for the info.