Bulb. Melanies Starr- blooming troubles
 

I have a specimen size Bulb.Melanies Starr. This is a cross between Baileyi and Lobbii. It has grown from a medium basket size plant to a huge mature plant I have had now for 5 years.It has never bloomed. It is in a greenhouse with my cats which all bloom well. I have tried more light,given it the warmest spot,fed ,kept moist ,patted and burped it until I have run out of ideas. The bulbs are plump,leaf color medium green. It has no leaf spotting or yellowing dropping leaves or pests. It has so many new growths I can no longer count them. If only it would bloom it would be a wonder! All my other Bulbs flower regularly.

I live in Seattle,and must use HPS light in winter .The plant gets around 1500 to 2000 fc in summer and a bit less in winter. Help

DeAnne

I don't have anything to offer in terms of help. Just that I have 2 myself and I know of several other people that have this cross and that all have the same issues with this cross. Honestly, I don't know of anyone that has actually bloomed it. Being that there are so many lobbii hybrids out there that are free blooming and and there are only 2 baileyi hybrids registered tells me that maybe the baileyi does not make a good parent. I've seen this happen with other primary hybrids (specifically cross sectional paph hybrids, like Paph. Delrosi) where the offspring are reluctant bloomers.

I actually thought about hanging one of mine up with the vandas. Bloom or die!

Good luck :)

Thanks, I may give in to some advice I got from a specialist in Bulbs,his somewhat shocking comment was to deposit it in the nearest trash can. It's just hard to give up. I guess there are some crosses that stubbornly refuse to bloom.I think I have one. I have some vandas that are tough to bloom in Seattle conditions that bloom with multiple stalks for me.Go figure. My small greenhouse can no longer provide space for this 20# 15" ball hanging dud.

Hi DeAnne, sorry this one is giving you trouble! Some of my Bulbos (mostly species) are reluctant bloomers for me and I've had a hard time figuring out why...

Have you tried any combinations of cooler temps and more drying (or even total dryness) between watering? Increased diurnal range of temperatures, though trickier to implement, might also provide the right cue.

If you decide to throw this one out, PM me, I'll gladly pay shipping for the chance to see if I can get it to bloom. :biggrin: Good luck!

--Nat

Hi Nat,thanks for your generous offer. Here are some of the things I have tried over the years. Research on the two species that make up this cross said they like to be kept moist,warm,fed moderately,and provided with medium bright light. This thing has been allowed to dry( it drops leaves) given cooler nights,given warmer nights,rested more,pushed with more food and light,ignored, hung outside in summer. I am told by a member on this site and a professional grower of Bulbs that this cross is not one that flowers. I am becoming convinced. It is a very large plant that has grown into a 15 inch ball with growths all around. It weighs around 20 # and I can't figure how to ship it without a lot of damage to the growths on the bottom. If I give up I will be sure to let you know.
DeAnne.

Well, just thought I'd offer! It sounds like you've tried just about everything, maybe it is time to give up. :( Definitely keep me in mind, if the whole plant is too much to ship I'd be happy to pay shipping on a chunk of it. Not that I'd probably ever get it to bloom either...

--Nat