Bulbo. Elizabeth Ann.
 

Well, now I'm hooked on bulbo's (WOOHOOO!!!) And I'm thinking of Bulbo. Elizabeth Ann.

As with my previous bulbo question, lighting? humidity? how fast do they grow?

Culture should be substantially the same as for wendlandianum, ie moist, warm, and moderately bright with regular fertilizer. I wouldn't worry too much about humidity, these plants cope fine with low RH as long as they're watered regularly. The rothschildianum parent of Elizabeth Ann may give it a bit more temperature tolerance than most Bulbos as I think this species has a somewhat montane natural range.

Growth rate will depend mostly on culture, though as a hybrid this one seems a bit more vigorous than are many of the species. Note that it's larger than wendlandianum and has longer internodes (between 2-4" on my plant of the 'Buckleberry' clone) so it'll need more space. Have fun!

--Nat

Thanks again, I plan on using a custom made 1'X1'X4'' vanda basket, filled with sphag... would this be fine... Oh and i'm fine with it being bigger, i like big plants!!

How many growths is the plant you're getting? You might not need such a big basket initially. My Elizab. Ann is 8 or 9 PBs now, I think, and it's got room to expand in its 6"x6" basket. When it outgrows that basket I'll probably just put it into a larger one with more medium as needed. Are you making your basket yourself?

You may also want to mix something else in with the sphagnum. The cheapest (and best) addition I've tried is plain old styrofoam packing peanuts (the white ones are preferable, I'm told). They substantially decrease the density of your medium (and overall weight of plant and basket), creating nice airy pockets throughout the basket that your plant's roots will love. They also pretty much never break down and seem to slow breakdown of the sphag. One of the best bulbo growers I've talked to uses big piles of styrofoam surrounded by moss in many of his baskets.

Good luck with your newer new plant! :biggrin: If you like this hybrid you should check out Bulb. Lovely Elizabeth (Elizabeth Ann x rothschildianum), it can also be spectacular:

Cirrhopetalum (Bulbophyllum) Lovely Elizabeth ‘Marble Branch’ AM/AOS, CCM/AOS

--Nat

thanks again!

Im not sure, have to go to Cloud's Orchid's later and see... yes I made the basket... it's a solid pine, not coating. should i coat it at all?

Elizabeth Ann is a very easy orchid. As long as it gets the right light (not direct but bright,and watered every day to every other day and a warm house). They bud and bloom with not much work. A wonderful orchid to have.

This is my B. Elizabeth Ann 'Buckleberry' growing in a 6" basket. Normally, it hangs along with the other Bulbos, but for its photo opt I moved it out into the open. I've taken at least 4 divisions from this plant in the past year and a half and given them away in trades with others on this board. So, if you have a basket that is a foot square, I guess you're going to have a very large plant!

thanks guys!!! and great pics!

It is blooming!:)

Its very cool you can grow a mounted Bulbo so well in your home. Good job!

This is what mine looks like now! I am so PROUD!

Beautiful, I just got one and I'm going to mount it. They grow all over in a pot real quick, I'm told. Hope mine will do as well. Might have to pm you guys if I run into trouble.

I don't know if it is just me. But they are really easy to grow. I am just got my a few months ago. And thought i would kill it. I have a few other orchids. But that by far is my favorite. For now till i get a Dutch Shoe orchid.

I have a B. frostii and it is a very slow grower so far for me. It did flower this year for me but that's about all....

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...68/DSC_343.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...68/DSC_342.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...68/DSC_341.jpg

WOW, I can't wait for my newly purchased bulbo frostii to bloom! What beautiful flowers you have!

Before I kill mine, what care are you giving yours. I see it's a bit cooler there. Thanks

Carol, I will assume you are referencing my frostii. You are in a great location for almost any Bulbophyllum, i.e., hot and humid. Just be careful of the sun. I have read some people to grow these in more light but most cultural notes say indirect light or light shade, etc. I grow mine hanging at the top of my greenhouse because in the winter that is the warmest location with the most light and most importantly, I have no where else to put them! I grow in bark because I kill almost everything planted in moss. I have found that you have to be especially careful with watering when new growth is starting... can't tell you how many young pseudo bulbs have died at the hands of my watering!!!! You'd think I'd learn after the first few.... :roll:

BikerDoc5968- WOW!!! I am in love with that orchid. I want one!! That is so neat. I do believe that is my next orchid.

I am in love with that greenhouse! WOW!

Ditto!

I can say i also sprits them in the morning. So they are best for me next to a window, and kept moist. Good luck! Post pictures when it blooms. I love Bulbo. Elizabeth Ann orchids.

Oh, that is soo awesome, I'm gonna try one some day. Usually the problems with bulbos for me are 1) the flowers are too tiny/inconspicuous that I can barely see them, and 2) they smell bad. Looks like from the photo that the flowers are HUGE. Cool! It doesn't smell bad, right?

Mine didn't. I don't think the Elizabeth Ann has a smell.