Schom thomsoniana - Orchid Board

Brenda Aarts · #1 10-31-2010, 12:25 PM

Wondering if anyone grows Schomburkia thomsoniana could answer this one. I have a plant that has just begun to spike but is extremely pot bound, plastic pot is even cracked due to a wipe out a while ago because it is so gangly and overgrown. I guess I'm wondering how long these spikes can take to bloom (as it appears to be a very slow process thus far, it is presently just a bump between 2 leaves) and if I should repot now or wait till after it hopefully flowers??? Thanks for your help.

david68 · #2 10-31-2010, 07:24 PM

Thomsoniana spike can grow up 2-3 m depending of your culture conditions (as well for the spike growing time but count 2/3 months). In Europe Myrmecophila Thomsoniana start flowering at spring end.
In general its preferable to wait that roots start growing but Myrmecophila is a very strong genus and i've repot a lot them regardless of their growth stage without any problems.
NB : They prefer to be mounted or in a wood basket.

Brenda Aarts · #3 10-31-2010, 10:45 PM

Thanks for your advice David. The spike is clearly just beginning, so I think I will go for it and repot. It has new growths and roots climbing out all over the place so hopefully will be fine. Basket is probably a good idea, will look through my ``stash``. Hopefully I`ll be posting some pics of this one in a few months.

shadytrake · #4 10-31-2010, 11:05 PM

Post a pic now!

I just bought a flask of albopupurea and I also have tibicinis and wendlandii. I have bloomed the wendlandii (heavenly scent of fresh honey) but not the tibicinis yet. I would like to see your starting spike.

I have tibicinis and wendlandii in semi-hydro and they seem to be growing like weeds.

isurus79 · #5 11-01-2010, 12:03 AM

I think if you just 'pot up' your plant, it will be fine. Don't mess with the roots at all, just place it in a larger pot and add media to fill in the gaps. This method should be fine. Otherwise you will run the risk of spike abortion.

RobS · #6 11-01-2010, 02:37 AM

Isurus has a very good point. This means you should only repot if the original medium isn't moldy / decaying as it's staying with your plant for some more years.. If it is moldy wait for repot untill the plant has flowered.

Brenda Aarts · #7 11-01-2010, 09:32 AM

Thanks all for your opinions. Ok Steve and Rob I will "pot up"...makes sense and the existing coco husk media does not look to be in too bad of shape.(It's what it was in when I bought it). Shady I will see if I can get a good picture, as I said it's presently just a "nub" between 2 leaves. You certainly are adventurous with your flasks etc!!! This is my one and only schom (for now).

Brenda Aarts · #8 11-01-2010, 10:15 AM

Ok Shady, here are your pics. As you can see by the last one the back of the pot is all cracked and it's jumpin out. Maybe some of you could confirm that it is actually a spike started... Thanks.

Junebug · #9 11-01-2010, 03:21 PM

Hi Brenda,

They make spikes in the same location you've shown in the photo. I've been growning a mounted thompsoniana for over 2 years and it bloomed for the first time during late spring.

The pseoudobulbs grow very rapidly on my plant and everyone of them start out with a swollen sheath like yours. During off season the sheaths don't mature. Instead they shrivel up a bit and the outer sheath dries. The pseudobulb that matured in spring is the only one that has ever spiked for me. I don't know if this is normal behaviour but this is how my plant behaved. Also, when it spiked, the previous seasons sheaths became swollen again. Then they shriveled up and putsied out again. Don't be disappointed if this happens with your plant.

My thomsoniana has me intrigued and I'm wondering if the older bulbs will, in fact, bloom some day.

shadytrake · #10 11-01-2010, 10:45 PM

That is cool!!! So excited for you. Hope they turn into spikes for sure.