Ophrys apifera

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I don't think it's just a ventilation problem. I think you absolutely need to find a limestone substrate and add some Seramis (Seramis is a European product, there might be American equivalents, not sure) and a little bit of organic material (e.g. pine bark or some potting soil).

That may be the result of an incorrect pH or a lack of sufficient calcium or magnesium.

This is all provided that it is not summer dormant (which I doubt, I think this is a plant that actively grows during the summer).

It's still very much alive and producing a new tuber.

Make the proper adjustments, and perhaps you'll be able to get this going.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I also recommend down potting.

[Triffid]

Thanks for the tips Philip Very much appreciated!

Will continue working on it and will be seeking out some appropriate calcium & magnesium providing substance.
Though mentioning that, I would presume the sandy soil around where I live may actually be nearer what the little plant needs?

It's still alive (thankfully), and I will downsize the pot this weekend.

Even if I loose the leaf, I'm tempted to keep the plant on the off chance that the Tuber will produce new growth at some point.

Thanks again everyone, for your tips and words of encouragement!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

What's it doing so far?

[Andrew]

Ophrys apifera is summer dormant. It's normal for the plant to die back at this time of year.

[Triffid]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

What's it doing so far?

... Breaking my heart!

Funny you should ask this question today though, as it was today that the leaf became officially a lost cause.

What with endless distractions and the sudden weather changes, even after re-potting (a week ago) the little thing continued to go on the decline.
I Just couldn't seem to get the overall balance of care right.

So Calling it a day on the leaf (already detached near original knock) I decided to get the bulb back out of the pot. Except it had shrunk/disappeared The original photos show a bulb mass that about just under 2cm in diameter.
Now it's much smaller, maybe less than a quarter the original mass! And no signs of it being eaten, as what remains has no signs or marks of any kind that would suggest a pest.

When I've get time to sort it out I will post the picture I've taken.

It's weird though, looking at the bulb I have, it's like the root from the original picture only more ball shaped now.

I've decided to leave it in a mostly shaded spot in the back yard, currently hanging in a well ventilated pot with is new mix.
I have no idea now what's happening with it at this point, all I can do really is try my best to reproduce the conditions it likes and see if what's left of the bulb makes a come-back at some point. It may be a lost cause, but I'm willing to be patient and see.

I wont give up on these Orchids completely though. Hopefully this experience will help it the long run.

[Triffid]

Originally Posted by Andrew

Ophrys apifera is summer dormant. It's normal for the plant to die back at this time of year.

Ooops ... Not sure why I missed this post I hope that this is indeed the case

I have questions though.

Would the die back still count with a plant that is literally only two years old and only really just out of the flask?
And Has anyone experienced this Shrinking of bulb mass before? (never seen this before unless the bulb was eaten by something)

[Andrew]

The plant should be going dormant each year, regardless of its age. The first year out of flask can be problematic in adjusting a terrestrial orchid to its appropriate seasonal growth pattern. However, the tag in the photo in your first picture says it's been in the pot for 2 years so it should be adapted to a summer dormant/autumn-spring growth period.

During the growth period the old tuber is exhausted as the plant grows and a replacement tuber, which should be the same size-bigger than the old tuber is formed at the end of a dropper.
The old tuber should be shrivelling but, from your post, the big problem is that it sounds like the replacement tuber on the dropper is quite small, which (a) is a sign that the plant hasn't growing well and (b) makes surviving dormancy and performing well the next year more of a challenge. There is not a lot you can do at this stage to increase the size of the replacement tuber this year. You just need to leave it alone and let it push as much energy into growing and maturing the replacement tuber and hope for the best. Remember it needs a dry dormancy so you should start withdrawing the frequency of watering over the next few weeks as the leaf dies down and keep the mix dry over summer. If you don't, the tuber may rot.

Two comments:
(a) Stop pulling it out of its pot. Disturbing the actively growing plant will do more harm than good. Leave it in its pot until a few weeks after the leaf dies down (which gives the roots time to die back) before tipping out the pot to check on the new tuber.
(b) Remember that small pots are more prone to fluctuating moisture levels, which can be detrimental to the plants growth. I don't think the pot it was originally in is too big for this plant. If anything, it's on the smaller side of the pots, I usually use for terrestrials.

[Triffid]

Regarding plants Age, 2 years out of the flask, that's what I thought too. I actually commented to my hubby that, when the vendor piped in and told me otherwise, saying along the lines that it was in the flask for two, and out of for about a year. I'm not sure if there were crossed wires, so unable to recall exactly what he said I am unwilling to speculate exactly on the plants age. (It was Hot and Muggy on that day and I've slept since)

I was actually under the impression that most if not all Ophrys had a dormancy of Autumn/Winter? From what you say I take it this is not the case.
Perhaps the knock it suffered was worse than I had anticipated. It would certainly explain the sudden die back and rather small new bulb. I didn't realise that the previous bulb would literally disappear though!?

Trust me when I say I did not want to un-pot the little fella, but when you see the leaf going black in the most unnatural looking way I've ever seen, you start to get worried that there is a problem with the bulb itself.
But on the funny side, it did take me a good half an hour with tweezers and a teaspoon. (Yes I was that cautious, both times)

I must say though, Thank you for your time and info though. Very helpful.
Sorry I have not responded sooner, but life is life and endlessly distracting.

All I can hope is that it will be all right from now on. Wont be able to say till spring next year either way.

If there are any other tips, experiences and or care notes, I'd love to hear them, and Thanks again!

[Triffid]

Well I thought that I'd have to wait a long time. And after reading from the links on the front page of this thread I did what I could and was patient, and well the little blighter has surprised me.

So happy!.... It's ALIVE
Thanks to those who pointed me in the right direction once again!

Not expecting it to bloom this time round, but here's a picture of the new growth. Keeping my fingers eternally crossed.

To give an idea of scale the pot is approximately 3.5 inches or 9 cm in width.
Picture 2 is the size of the Bulb from which this new life has sprung. Photo from couple of months ago (Coin = 7/10 inch or 18mm diameter)
(Will update the thumbnails as appropriate)