Max. ten psuedobulbs rescue question

[greggnkay]

I mounted my Max. ten. this past spring and sustained good growth and roots, but despite daily watering the pseudobulbs began to wrinkle slightly. Last month while the plant was still outdoors an emergency arose that kept me away for three weeks. Even though the plants were watered during my absence, the pseudobulbs shriveled noticeably. I moved all my 'chids indoors upon my return and have since placed the bottom of this particular mount in a saucer of water. Only the very bottom of the sphag is touching the water and in 1-2 weeks the pseudobulbs have plupmed back up! Can I safetly continue this until all the wrinkles are gone?

[TikiGeorge]

I had the same thing happen to me last year when I decided to mount mine on a moss pole. The bulbs shriveled to dime size. I then planted them in a glazed ceramic orchid pot with just sphag for medium. It responded like yours and then in late winter/early spring exploded with blooms! It has since grown more bulbs and leaves. I'm not changing anything anymore!

[unhappykat]

I would continue with your saucer method but still allow the plant to dry out between waterings if you plant to keep it on a mount. I have had this happen as well and it is usually due to there being either not enough humidity or too infrequent waterings. Usually once the plant has established on the mount it stops shriveling as much, it can take more than a year for a max to establish itself on a mount though so you may still need to be patient. Really be careful with leaving the mount touching water because you can still rot the roots away and shrivel the plant even worse.