Wrinkled Pseudobulbs

[atcrosby]

I have both a Brassia and an Oncidium with some fairly large Pseudobulbs when I acquired them. I have had them for about 8 weeks and have noticed they appear to be developing wrinkles.

Both plants have not lost their flowers although the Brassia is starting to. I water them once per week by soaking them for 1-2 hours in a Dynagro / Superthrive mixture. The area they are in retains a 50-60% humidity level and all the other orchids (phals and cattelya are doing great in this location)

The question is am I probably not watering enough? How do you get them to recharge quickly without overwatering the roots? Both plants sit on top of a humidity tray and the Brassia has now run a root into the collection tray.

I love the flowers this type of orchid produces but am concerned that I may be killing them through sheer stupidity.

Thanks.

[greg_s]

actually, it has been my experience that wrinkles in the pseudobulbs are due to the age of the bulbs and not necessarily mistreatment. How do the leaves look?

[jerrymeola]

I would not worry either. Wrinkled pbulbs on brassia are common. They will put out new growth that will look excellent for a year or two and then wrinkle

[jumbojimmy]

isn't wrinkle on the p.bulb is caused by not enough watering? i heard from somewhere in the net that the bulb is to store water so you don't need to water the plant to much, but once it started to wrinkle up it is the indication that it's really thirsty.

[eikon]

under watering can cause wrinkling, but, so can over watering, the most likely cause, age or parentage

[Luci]

I have a Beallara that is doing the same thing, does this hold true for this orchid as well? I was worried also that I watering too much or not enough. Are you supposed to soak them in water?? I just water mine like I do my phals.

It has 5 large pbulbs and 4 new growths. It is blooming right now but later I need to divide and repot...which is another concern...how do I divide a Beallara. This is my first one and I just keep leaving it in the small pot as I am unsure how to divide it.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[mayres]

The purpose of soaking is to give the media (such as bark) an opportunity to absorb more water than it would by just pouring the water straight through. This sometimes is helpful especially with NEW bark. One should be sure to periodically run water through as well to reduce accumulation of mineral salts.

If you're soaking your pots for one or two hours then I doubt if it's underwatering, unless the medium dries out rather quickly. How dry do you let the medium get before watering again? I water my oncidium a lot less, but I do water more frequently, like twice a week.

[atcrosby]

The planting medium is medium sized wood bark with charcoal mixed in. I am letting it sit in a week fertilzer / superthrive solution for an hour to allow the bark to absorb moisture.

I have notices the medium is not drying as quickly as it used to. This is also the issue with other orchids in the same medium. I think the seasonal change is affecting the humidity levels and the bark retains moisture much longer.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

This is why you can not water successfully on a schedule. Cooler temps or higher humidity, as when a storm passes thru will lengthen the drying time, even changes in air movement. This is why, if you learn to lift the plant and judge watering by the weight of the pot, you will be in a much better position when the mix starts to break down and hold too much water. You will know there is a problem by the fact that the plant is taking longer and longer to dry out. Cynthia