Bifrenaria harrisoniae culture?

[Forever-mango]

I was given a huge specimen with 5 buds ready to open. It weighs around 10kg and has over 50 bulbs. The bulbs are shriveled and some sun damage. I couldn't find much info on this species except it doesn't like to be very wet and hates being repotted. I was wondering if anyone had experience with this species? Its in a hanging basket, ive placed it under 50% shade in the bush house. Was thinking of dividing it because 80% of the bulbs are out of the pot.

Regards
Stephen

[Dendian]

Hi - I don't have the Bif. harisoniane - but I have a Bif. atropurpurea. I think the culture is similar. Bernie has the harisoniane - he says it likes to be root bound, dry out fast, bright light, dryer winter rest.

The culture tips I found on mine say it wants to be well watered while growing, and dryer when fully matured. The tag says it likes bright light. I contacted Andy's Orchids and they told me this when I asked about watering it: You can water, just keep them drier when it is cold at night or they get leaf spotting pretty bad. Thats what caused the spotting by being watered late in the afternoon when it got into the mid 30’s that night and it was wet and cold. Dry and cold is no problem.

I got mine from Andy's Orchids - in a hanging basket with moss (not sphagham - this dries out fast). I water mine by soaking it in a tray of water (below the lowest growth) until it gets heavy (it usually soaks up all the water - in about 3 hours) - then hang it up again. I water it like this about once a week.

Lots of my bulbs are down the side of the basket - and heading towards the bottom. It is hanging in my kitchen window - East side of the house - and doesn't get much light. It must be happy because its growing new roots and growths, and the new leaves are not spotted.

Most of the old bulbs are shriveled/pleated - I wonder if this is normal?

When I first got it I hung it in the living room window - much lower humidity - and it responded by dropping some of its leaves. I moved it to the kitchen window (next to a green house window with LOTS of humidity) and the leaves stopped dropping.

I bought mine in full bloom - and all the blooms were beautiful -- and smelled like sweet roses! Here - you can see it - too bad you can't smell it.

[Dendian]

You know - after finding Bernie's thread about his plant:
Bifrenaria
I decided that mine needed more light. I moved it to the front room - up next to the window. When the new growths mature fully and it cools down I will stop watering it (until the new bulbs shrivel) as it seems to be the way to get it to bloom.

[Orchidementia]

Here's the Baker culture sheet for Bifrenaria harrisoniae:

Bifrenaria harrisoniae Culture

I have one, but I didn't get it in spike and all I can say is that I've kept it alive for several years.

[orchids4me]

Hi Stephen,
Glad orchidmentia got the sheet for you from Baker and Baker
I grow Bifrenaria indora 'Hal's Gift' CHM/AOS x self. I got them in flask about a year ago. As they are babies I grew them in Sphag in the front area of the east facing window for morning sun and have them under lights also. A couple weeks ago I r potted them from seedling starter pans 1"x1"x 1 1/2" deep holes into 3inch pots roots busting out everywhere and fat little p/b's leafs over 4 inches long already. But I grow them bright light and moist (not soggy) almost dry between waterings and they responded well for the Bif indora.
Good luck with yours Stephen!!

[Forever-mango]

I currently have my monster basket in by shade house of 50%. The blooms has opened and im very happy. The growths are growing way outside of the basket and thinking of dividing it after it has finished blooming. Should I divide it when i see new growth, or so i do it after it has finished blooming?

[Orchidementia]

Originally Posted by Forever-mango

I currently have my monster basket in by shade house of 50%. The blooms has opened and im very happy. The growths are growing way outside of the basket and thinking of dividing it after it has finished blooming. Should I divide it when i see new growth, or so i do it after it has finished blooming?

Given how fussy these are about everything, especially repotting, my feeling is waiting until there is new growth present is the right time to divide. Check the Baker sheet I linked to, and wait for more experienced opinions - there is an excellent chance my feeling is wrong. Remember, I've been keeping one alive; not blooming!

[Stitz]

Originally Posted by Orchidementia

Given how fussy these are about everything, especially repotting, my feeling is waiting until there is new growth present is the right time to divide. Check the Baker sheet I linked to, and wait for more experienced opinions - there is an excellent chance my feeling is wrong. Remember, I've been keeping one alive; not blooming!

I agree. Repotting? It is far better to wait 'til new growth is present, especially for this species, after the plant flowers in the early spring.

--Stitz--

[Forever-mango]

Originally Posted by Orchidementia

Given how fussy these are about everything, especially repotting, my feeling is waiting until there is new growth present is the right time to divide. Check the Baker sheet I linked to, and wait for more experienced opinions - there is an excellent chance my feeling is wrong. Remember, I've been keeping one alive; not blooming!

New growth is starting to show (around 1cm tall), but im having problems removing the chunks of the side of the pot. The roots have attached itself to the side of the cocofibre basket and around the metal hangers I will take a photo and we can see how to fix it up.

[Forever-mango]

Finally got some photos...this plant is a nightmare to repot/divide. The roots has grown inbetween the coco-fibre basket and roots has grown around the metal wire around the basket. Any tips?







Kind regards
Stephen

[dave64]

try cutting the busket you might be abbel to free the plant that way good luck

[Forever-mango]

Originally Posted by dave64

try cutting the busket you might be abbel to free the plant that way good luck

Thanks Dave, that is what my mum was thinking of doing today. Will let you guys know whats the outcome

[pikkumyy]

wow, good luck with that one, if its in bud then it might be worth waiting until after it's flowered just to play it safe so you dont lose them

[Forever-mango]

Michael, its just finished blooming. I managed to divide it into like 15 pieces. 8 pieces with leaves and 7 pots of back bulbs. Will post pics soon

[pikkumyy]

Originally Posted by Forever-mango

Michael, its just finished blooming. I managed to divide it into like 15 pieces. 8 pieces with leaves and 7 pots of back bulbs. Will post pics soon

wow, nicely done, im going to do some culture search and see if i can worm one out of my boss next weekend

the pictures your posting, are the of the flowers as well?