Growing Egret Orchids from Bulbs - Habenarea
 

So a while ago I received a few Egret Orchid bulbs. One variety the standard, and one a variation called Hisyo.

I kept the bulbs (sorry if bulb is not the correct term) in the refrigerator in a humid container for a few days. Three bulbs of one variety started putting up a sprout, maybe a few millimeters.

I planted them a few days ago, but I think I may have used too much pumice, because it dried quickly. One of the buds may have died, brown at the tip. One sprout is turning green, but not growing.

I also planted the bulbs only deep enough to allow the sprout to stick out above the surface. I keep them outside in a water dish to keep the mix damp.

In order to get them growing, should I bury the buds deeper? Should I repot without little or no pumice, maybe vermiculite and perlite instead? (or another mix?) Should I pop them back into the fridge till they grow a bit more?

:thanx:

You planted them at the correct time. They are bog orchids. They need to be wet in growth, not damp. They grow just fine in pure pumice. Don't repot them. Water them right now.

How deep is the container? How deep is your water in the dish?

Thank you, and hello again...

The pot is about 3.5" deep, but the mix level is just at 3". I have them in about 3/4" of water.

This is funny, I managed to lose a third bulb in the mix as I was planting them. They blended into the color of the mix (pumice, vermiculite, and a bit of cactus mix). Is there a chance it could find it's way to the surface, even if it's pretty deep? Or I could go through the mix with reading glasses. If I use a new mix, should it be pumice and nothing else?

Oh I almost forgot, I also received a bulb with a curious name, an Arhitectural Blue Orchid. The bulb is about three times larger than the Egrets'. I planted it in a similar mix. Will that work well?

BTW should I be fertilizing these pots, perhaps lightly?

I would keep them wet and just wait. I wouldn't disturb the pots. Maybe deepen the water in the dish.

I don't know what the blue one is.

So they are okay outside, in full sun? The blue one has similar directions from the seller, so I guess I'll use the same method! :)

Are you familiar with Bat Flowers? I have a big bulb planted, inside and under lights. I've been watering and misting, with fertilizer. So far, very little growth, while the Voodoo Lily next to it is growing quickly. Should the Bat Flower be outside, in shade? Or should any other methods be used?

:thanx:

Habenaria should be fine in your full sun if wet. I don't know about the blue one. I've never grown Tacca. My understanding is it's an understory shade plant. I found this:
Bat Flower - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

These guys will teach you patience.... as ES pointed out, once they are fully sprouted, keep them wet-- bog wet. Take care not to go heavy with irrigation until you have a good lead forming, as you can easily rot them out. Mine are just now sprouting for the season, and I'm being cautious with them in terms of moisture, until I have a good inch of growth- then I'll go full force with water and MSU at about 2/3 strength at least once a week. Don't be too concerned if you get a brown leaf here or there- these will throw out a new growth from the same tuber, as long as you're gentle and patient with them. (Also, just for reference- I'm also Coastal California, and grow these outdoors)

Also, fun fact, this species is no longer classified in Habenaria... properly, it is Pecteilis radiata.

Good luck with them, they're very special little plants.

I've got these growing in peat, perlite, and coarse sand in a relatively tall pot that sits in about an inch of water most of the year. I think the biggest thing that helps them be a lot hardier is using rain/distilled/reverse osmosis water. they come from very nutrient poor environments so too much minerals may burn their roots.

Just thought of something - there is a care sheet for these available at Kusamono Gardens. It was on the egret orchid page last time I looked. They might have your blue orchid too, or something similar.