Bulbophyllum Frostii, what to do? (Rot-issue?) - Orchid Board

Helene · #1 01-26-2016, 05:58 AM

I got this last year, in greenmix- the mix is really nice, easy to grow in. But I felt it was a bit too far down. Newest bulb got black spots on the leaf, I cut it, and it eventually fall off.

Decided to take it out and check (I've never used this mix, and I never had a bulbo before last year- so totallt newbie on these ones).

In the mix

One is okay and above as you can see

The mix

Grows moss only on top, and have to stay moist all the time.

Back to my plant, this is the condition now:

Okay- as you can see it shows where it has been standing moist. New roots are coming from the two newest bulbs. I cant decide if I should cut away the newest bulb and hope it makes a new one, or to keep it and see if that makes a new one?

And what mix would you put it in? I'm not a fan of mounting because its dry environment in my house- but I am not used to these. When I learn more I will be able to "feel" what every plant wants. (I hope &#128540

I have several of these woods- in different sizes- so I can consider mounting if you think thats an good idea.

Thanks for helping me

Lol, and hope some day I can help someone myself, not only nagging for advices for myself.

Edit: have another bulbo that are potted higher, and seem to like the same mix:

Helene · #2 01-26-2016, 06:16 AM

In the meantime I just left it on the wood- put some moss on the roots (not on the bulbs).

estación seca · #3 01-26-2016, 11:31 AM

Your plant should survive. The problem isn't too wet; it's insufficient air space between medium particles. If you had a similar mix with much larger perlite pieces it would be fine. Bulbos are epiphytes and need lots of air at the roots.

The old roots are probably dead. I would leave them if you can't tell, though. You could pot this in a medium with better aeration if you don't want to mount it. Many people pot these in loose sphagnum. With time limitations potting might be better than mounting, since you won't have to water as often.

Your mount has a depression where you put the plant. I would worry this would hold too much water. I would mount it out of the depression.

There are a number of Europeans here who grow Bulbos and can give much better advice than I.

Helene · #4 01-26-2016, 12:02 PM

Thanks for always being so kind and helpful, Estación

I am considering repotting the other aswell- but will wait to see if anyone have advice. Seems like most are in spaghnum as you mention, or mounted.

The wood has a crack- so the water goes down on my windowsill- mostly laziness that makes me not wanna mount it.

But then again- sphagnum seems so risky- too wet, or maybe I just feel that cause I'm used to phalaenopsis and bark. I do like the wood and moss though, so maybe I can try. (I have different kind, and can turn this so its not in the depression. Its a pretty hard wood, used in aquariums- never had it in aquarium, and its been sterilised in hot water)
Time is not a problem- but going away might be a problem then.

Do love the bulbos, might be my next favorite when I just get the hang of it😎

Oh, have a tiny bellatulum in the same mix, that didnt look good- only two good roots left. So I potted in a smaller pot, with small bark and perlite. Like a phalaenopsis, only smaller to keep it a bit more moist.

wintergirl · #5 01-26-2016, 01:44 PM

The plant with rot was potted too deep and the moss was too tight. Take care to wet the roots and the media, leaving the bulbs dry.

DeaC · #6 01-26-2016, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helene

Thanks for always being so kind and helpful, Estación

I am considering repotting the other aswell- but will wait to see if anyone have advice. Seems like most are in spaghnum as you mention, or mounted.

The wood has a crack- so the water goes down on my windowsill- mostly laziness that makes me not wanna mount it.

But then again- sphagnum seems so risky- too wet, or maybe I just feel that cause I'm used to phalaenopsis and bark. I do like the wood and moss though, so maybe I can try. (I have different kind, and can turn this so its not in the depression. Its a pretty hard wood, used in aquariums- never had it in aquarium, and its been sterilised in hot water)
Time is not a problem- but going away might be a problem then.

Do love the bulbos, might be my next favorite when I just get the hang of it😎

Oh, have a tiny bellatulum in the same mix, that didnt look good- only two good roots left. So I potted in a smaller pot, with small bark and perlite. Like a phalaenopsis, only smaller to keep it a bit more moist.

OH...I feel your pain! My luck with bulbos has been good but this one I've had for 6 yrs and no blooms.There are 10 leaves from 11 pbulbs.I've tried all sorts of cultures-higher and lower light levels,warm and more humid conditions,different fert. and medium. But just noticed a new growth.Can't determine if it's a bud or what.Right now growing in bark/moss mix in plastic pot under growlights on humidity tray.All this may just add to your dismay but don't give up.Others will surely have ideas as well.

Helene · #7 01-27-2016, 04:38 AM

Yeah- I remember that from last year- I soooo hope you get a flower, they are so cute😍

What happened was me not caring for any orchids for a really long time. My phalaenopsis are used to that bad treatment, and reward me with lots of roots.
The bulbos? Not so much- looked like dry raisins- and boy did I feel stupid.

But- they will survive, I think.

This is a picture that shows the bad shape it was in.
First from 13.januar and today- 27.januar- two weeks apart.

Nice recover though☺️

DeaC · #8 01-27-2016, 02:29 PM

Lookin' better! Noticed you seem to have sat the plant a bit higher on the media. I've done that also with other bulbos and they've improved. We've all gone thru the neglect thing with our plants...life happens! Good luck!

u bada · #9 03-05-2016, 02:37 PM

Hi Helene, seeing this just now... how is it doing?

I've had one from a NBS seedling a couple years ago, it grows well in a basket in an orchid growing case and kept fairy moist, still no blooms but hopefully this spring... didn't like to dry out very much... lowish light...

Helene · #10 03-05-2016, 03:19 PM

Hi

Its doing fine- I have it in shady window, but bright shade- mostly perlite and a bit rockwool- its growing, so seem to be okay

Can see the new growth starting here

The poor thing looks a bit damaged though- but atleast its growing.

Hope you get a bloom on yours

I'm thinking of repotting my bulbos into basket or something next year. The other is in the same mix, they seem to like to stay pretty wet

(The new bulb on the left of this one is starting a spike, so think the mix is okay in my dry environment)