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Bulbophyllum nymphopolitanum - culture help, puleeze

Discussion in 'Orchid Culture' started by Alexis, Dec 13, 2008.

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  1. Alexis

    Alexis New Member

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    I've had this plant for about 2 1/2 years, and it's just been limping along. I remounted it this past summer; and as a result, I know it's grown new roots. However, the growths remain noticeably pleated, and are VERY dark green. My culture research tells me that it likes shadey, humid conditions; so that is what it gets. But no blooms, and it looks like crap. Daily water with my well water (high in Calcium / pH roughly 8.)

    Any ideas?
    B-nymphopolitanum-121308.jpg
     
  2. Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

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    Those leaves look like they're getting some sort of insect damage.
     
  3. Alexis

    Alexis New Member

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    Thanks, Jon, but I dunno. My collection gets routine treatments for pests (insects and fungal) since these problems are prevalent in my conditions...
     
  4. Forrest

    Forrest Really Neat

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    I grow mine very bright and it blooms its ass off. Maybe you should up the light.
     
  5. Dale

    Dale New Member

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    Alexis I have two clones and both do very well in baskets; bright filtered light; almost daily water. The leaves, including the mature ones, have a purple tinge to them. Other species in the same vicinity that bloom and grow well are: Bulbophyllum arfakianum, B. agastor, B. alkmaarense, B. fritillariflorum, B. cornutum, Dendrobium suluwesiense, D. goldschmiditianum, D. spurium, Sophronitella violacea, Houlletia odoratissima...
     
  6. Forrest

    Forrest Really Neat

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    Interesting Dale. All of the plants that you mentioned, well the bulbos at least, I have growing pretty differently than my nympho.
     
  7. Dale

    Dale New Member

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    Huh. That probably explains why you have so many non-bloomers. :D
     
  8. Forrest

    Forrest Really Neat

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    LOL. damnit man. All of those ones bloom. :p
     
  9. Alexis

    Alexis New Member

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    Alrighty then, I think I need to increase the light. My Bulbo area has experienced a diminishment in light, come to think of it, thanks to a bunch of overgrown trees. DH (the arborist!) promised me he'd do a major thinning when we return after the holidays.

    Thanks for the help, folks!
     
  10. Ron-NY

    Ron-NY New Member

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    I too grown mine on the brighter end. I have one growing in bark mix and the other in a treefern pot. The one in the bark mix is doing better.
     
  11. Alexis

    Alexis New Member

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    More evidence for needing brighter light. Thanks, Ron

    I was originally growing this one in a treefern pot, and it started doing so poorly that I remounted it as you see here. I thought it may have been getting too much water. Maybe these guys just don't like treefern? Hmmm...
     
  12. Ron-NY

    Ron-NY New Member

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    I find that some treefern pots are not dense enough for Bulbos. I now reserve those for species that need to dry quicker.
     
  13. Clark

    Clark Gator Member

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    Just got mine in January. Have it mounted on a piece of tree fern and i'm growing it at the top of the roof. New growth is purple coming out, watered every day I can.
     
  14. Doc Elly

    Doc Elly Member

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    Mine grows mounted on cork, watered regularly, and in fairly bright light. It blooms well.
     
  15. Alexis

    Alexis New Member

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    Update

    Thanks to everyone's advice, my B nymphopolitanum is blooming like crazy! I moved it to higher light; and then, as promised, DH did a major thinning of our Live Oaks that had been blocking light.

    I cut off all the damaged areas after my original post, and there are no signs of continuing problems. New growth is coming along perfectly.

    It currently is sporting about 8 open flowers.
    050209.jpg
     
  16. Karen

    Karen Species nut

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    Yeah! Looks like a stinky one....
     
  17. Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

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    Woohoo!
     
  18. Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Congratulations!!!
     
  19. Tom-DE

    Tom-DE Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    That is sweet! Congrats!
     
  20. Tom_in_PA

    Tom_in_PA I am not an addict

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    nice job Alexis