Eriopsis - how to cultivate

[Lars Kurth]

Two years ago I bought two divisions of Eriopsis biloba and sceptrum with about 3 pseudo-bulbs each from Ecuagenera.

Although the plants have grown OK, one new pseudo-bulb each year and the bulbs of each year bigger than the ones from the previous year I have not managed to get them to flower yet. Maybe I am just impatient.

I could not find much conclusive information on the web with regards to growing conditions, except that best grown in shadier position (presumably like Phals) under intermediate to warm conditions, with roots not being allowed to fully dry out.

One thing which strikes me as odd with my plants is that new growth appears in autumn (Sept) and finish growing in (Feb-March). Then the plants sit there and do nothing all summer. Does anybody know whether Eriopsis grow in winter and flower in summer.

I found one article that suggests Eriopsis flower in autumn & winter in the southern hemisphere. That would suggest that the plants grow new bulbs in summer. Have my plants just not acclimatized to the northern hemisphere yet? If so, is there anything one can do but be patient? Or am I totally on the wrong track?

Lars

[kavanaru]

Lars, I cannot help much with culture advice of Eriopsis in Europe. However, I can give some information about the place where Eriopsis biloba grows in Venezuela.

Warm during the day, and quite cool during the night.
The plant grown terrestrial in silica sand Eriopsis biloba on Flickr - Photo Sharing! or lithophytic on sandstone Eriopsis biloba on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
no matter what the culture sheet say, this species grows in full sun! open wet savahnnas...
very often, the roots are under water for quite long periods (almost constantly for a up to 6 months during the rainy season!)

Maybe this can help to understand what is going on with your plant (not enough sun?)

[Lars Kurth]

I found this: Eriopsis Lindl, which indicates that the plants are quite adaptable: either grown in full sun in humid and wet conditions, or in shade but dryer (roots never to dry out).

Looking at my plants the issue is probably that they are not mature enough yet (pseudobulbs on my biloba & sceptrum are only 3" and 4" respectively whereeas they probably need to be twice the size) - see pic.

Does anybody have an idea what these bvlack spots in the leaves could be? When I got the plants, they had some spots and some of the new leaves get them too.

Lars

[Hans-Dieter]

Originally Posted by Lars Kurth

I found this: Eriopsis Lindl, which indicates that the plants are quite adaptable: either grown in full sun in humid and wet conditions, or in shade but dryer (roots never to dry out).

Looking at my plants the issue is probably that they are not mature enough yet (pseudobulbs on my biloba & sceptrum are only 3" and 4" respectively whereeas they probably need to be twice the size) - see pic.

Does anybody have an idea what these bvlack spots in the leaves could be? When I got the plants, they had some spots and some of the new leaves get them too.

Lars

hello lars
this blackspots are infection with mycoses, called anthranecrosis,you can treat antifungal substances,cut
leaves with large spots.
prophylaxis is important:reduce spraying, good air circulation.

[Lars Kurth]

Hans-Dieter.
Thanks for the tip: I have had extra fans in the greenhouse for some time now.As a result there are no more brown spots on the plants. They are growing well, but still have not flowered.
Lars