watering help
 

How do you keep your bulbophyllum moist. ? I have mine mounted and they seem to really dry out fast. Misting like twice a day. Do they want to be continuously moist or not?.
Of course I'm living in Florida so will have lots of heat this summer. Right now it is going down to 32 tonight. Do I want to be keeping them moist.? I have been reading and reading and still can't get what to do for the different seasons. I have types that should do well in Florida. Thanks

I drench mine daily in summer -(warm and dry here), during very hot and dry weather, I drench early, and then later afternoon spray the sphag well. I did end up adding sphag to mine in summer, as it was drying too fast.

I don't know which bulbo you have - mine's lasiochilum - I don't know if the culture on yours is the same ... but I do try to keep mine moist, tho it has dried out a few times without harm, but I mostly water every day - even now, just a few spritzes inbetween the every other day or so heavy waterings.

Mine is inside now, but the orchids I do have outside right now, I do keep them a bit drier in the cold, tho ones that like to be moist, I still try to keep them from being completely dry. I don't know if 32 is too cold for yours or not ...

Hi Carol,

I've only grown one bulbo. At first I tried growing it on a sphag covered mount. It looked awesome mounted, but I couldn't keep the mount moist enough. The plant really perked up and put out new growth after being transferred to a 3" shallow slat basket with mostly sphag and a little charcoal. She was doing really well until the squirrels checked her out. They found her tasty, ate all of her bulbs, and that was the end of that chid.

Hi Carol,

I've only grown one bulbo. At first I tried growing it on a sphag covered mount. It looked awesome mounted, but I couldn't keep the mount moist enough. The plant really perked up and put out new growth after being transferred to a 3" shallow slat basket with mostly sphag and a little charcoal. She was doing really well until the squirrels discovered her. They found her tasty, ate all of her bulbs, and that was the end of that chid. I decided to give up on bulbos, because I can't fight the squirrels.

Hey Carol,

Most Bulbos don't really need a special rest for different seasons, but they should be kept a bit drier in cold weather. As far as watering, WhiteRabbit gave some good advice here. Drench it every day on warm and sunny days. If it's cool-cold, skip watering or only give it a light squirt. I try to keep from misting any of my orchids - if it's dry I soak it, if it's still damp I leave it.

I just assumed mine are right for Florida and I am treating them all the same I have

Elizabeth Ann
makoyanum
medusae
retusiusculum
longissimum
Richard Mizula
careyanum
guttulatum
membranifolium
crassipes
grandiflorum
trigonosepalum
longiflorum x lasischilum

I have acquired these in the last three months and I'm treatng them to: strong light, no sun, daily watering if temp permits, sometimes 2nd time. if not every third day, they are all mounted with spag, weekly weakly,. Any changes I should be making?