Grammatophylum strictum tigrum psuedobulb stages

[rcopenhaver1@comcast.net]

I own a small garden shop and sell many varieties of orchids. I just ordered and received a box of Grammotaophyllum strictum - tigrum...WOW!!! I'm in love, but I have a few specific questions I can't seem to find the answers to. First question, I find it so intriguing that the bloom spike emerges from the root line beside the psuedobulb as opposed to emerging from the leaf axis, almost, but not entirely, like Phaius. Could Gramma be considered a terrestrial orchid? Second question, there are small psuedobulbs in the pot that have brown tips,, as if foliage has been cut off. They are healthy looking, but smaller that the 3 very large ones that are in each plant that I've gotten. Are these emerging psuedobulbs, or expired ones. There is just so much I want to know about this particular orchid but i'l just start there.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Gramms are epiphytic. However, like many epiphytes in the Cymbidium tribe, they eventually form baskets of upright pointing roots that collect leaf debris in habitat. Their roots are mostly covered by leaf litter in habitat, rather than growing exposed on branches like many other epiphytic orchids. They do well in any well aerated orchid medium.

The smaller pseudobulbs are older and have dropped their leaves. Leaves last 1-3 years then fall naturally. They fall prematurely if the plant isn't watered enough. Pseudobulbs last 3-4 years, then turn brown and mushy, then dry up. It looks like they're rotting but they're not.

New growth emerges from the base. It looks a lot like new Cymbidium or Oncidium growth but is large. Plants need to be mostly wet when pushing new growth or growths die.

They prefer hot, humid and moist conditions with the brightest light you can give them short of sunburn. Many people grow them as close to the greenhouse roof as possible.

[rcopenhaver1@comcast.net]

Thanks for the response...one more question, The plants are in deep 6" pots and heavily rooted with 3 large bulbs and one bloom spike. I assume , like lots of orchid varieties, that they like to be crowded. I also believe I see what could be another bloom spike coming out beside the existing one, or it could be another bulb. Anticipation is killing me on that one. I should probably wait to re-pot until it is literally busting out?

[estación seca]

Wait to repot until it's finished flowering, and a new growth and new roots are forming. That might be next Spring or it might be this Summer. Most orchids should be repotted only when new roots are just emerging. They tend to make roots only on new growths. If you repot at the wrong time you may damage roots months before the plant will produce more roots.

When you repot these, don't be meticulous about removing old media. Shake off what comes easily. Set the plant into a new pot that will permit 2-3 more growths. Backfill with new medium.

The root ball may be packed solidly into an impenetrable glob. I would just set this into the new pot without disturbing the roots, and backfill. Gramms. use so much water it is unlikely old medium will remain too wet for too long. I would not do this with Phalaenopsis nor Cattleyas.

[rcopenhaver1@comcast.net]

Thanks so much. my thoughts exactly I just needed validation from someone more experienced than me with this particular orchid.

[DirtyCoconuts]

just so you know this plant can be grow in a semi terrestrial way too- in south florida they are landscape plants when grown in half sun and 6-10" of mulch.

they will kind of root into the soil but mostly stay in the mulch