Can Lava Burst new growth sap life out of plant?

[CALLY]

Hi Everyone,

My little Lava Burst has two new growths but it looks like
it's sapping the energy from the existing bulb.

I got the little bulb already in flower, was the bulb too small and the flowers zapped it's energy.

I have been monitoring it and giving as much water as possible without damaging it.

What else can I do??

[camille1585]

It's normal for the old bulb to wrinkle a bit as the new growths grow, they take some of the energy they need from it. My Lava Burst is doing the same now, but I increased the length of time it soaks everyday (mine is mounted)

One comment though, your plant is WAY overpotted! Orchids like to be snug in their pots, and you want to choose a pot size that is slightly bigger than the rootball. Seeing the size of the plant, I would guess that yours would fit in a 10cm pot, maybe 8cm.

[trdyl]

Camille is right. It is way over potted. At most only give enough room in the pot for 2 years growth. It is very easy to rot the roots when they are over potted like this.

Everything else looks normal.

[CALLY]

Thanks feel better now....
This just shows how small he is, cause he is in a 9cm pot,
Will have to try and find 5cm. I think that's as small as pots get.

That's why I was concerned that the little guy had flowered already.
Hopefully repotting will help him along.

Thanks for your help...

[camille1585]

that's a 9m pot?? Wow, your plant is smaller than I thought! I was looking at mine when guessimating the size of yours.

[CALLY]

Yeah, crazy hey... He's got a long way to go...

Has yours been easy to grow and how long did it take to get substantial?

We going into autumn here and they are all going into an orchidarium soon so hopefully that will help him grow quicker.

Thanks for your quick replies.

[camille1585]

I've only havd mine since september so I can't really say anything about it yet. I got it as a 4 growth plant with 2 spikes, and right now it's working on 3 more.

I have heard that this one is quite easy to grow though.

[CALLY]

Great can't wait for this new growth.....

[quiltergal]

Mine grows like a weed! Seems like it is always working on 3 or 4 new growths at once when it's not busy blooming.

[CALLY]

Yay... I've seen a huge one in water culture...