Should I mount this one ?

[mitchgirl]

I have just got a Bulbophyllum Vaginatum and think it should be mounted

But do I need to put spag moss on the wood as well

Any help would be great Thanks

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by mitchgirl

I have just got a Bulbophyllum Vaginatum

First off, lets get the name right, it's Bulbophyllum vaginatum (note co capital "V"). This is a species orchid and species names are nto capitalized.

Originally Posted by mitchgirl

and think it should be mounted
But do I need to put spag moss on the wood as well

Bulbos like moisture and numidity. Only mount it if you can grow it in a moisture rich (humid) place. We're talking 70-80% +. If you're growing in your home you may want to consider keeping it in a pot. I have a few Bulbos, I have one in a pot, two in a plastic baskets, one in a plastic tray, and one mounted. So far the ones in the baskets seem to be doing the best. I should point out though that I am growing them in a greenhouse, lots of humidity.

[delphiguy]

Originally Posted by mitchgirl

I have just got a Bulbophyllum Vaginatum and think it should be mounted

But do I need to put spag moss on the wood as well

Any help would be great Thanks

Aside from what Kevin has stated.... bulbos are scramblers and you may have a hardtime confining them in a pot.... thus most growers mount they're
bulbo with a padding of sphagnum. From what I understand B. vaginatum is one of those scramblers....

[Orchidementia]

1. Listen to Kmarch
2. Listen to Kmarch
3. Listen to Kmarch!

That said, I have exactly one bulbo - a NoID bulbo (a gift from a Geek, too!). I mounted it because I wasn't sure what it was until later and I love mounting stuff. It's doing very well despite me! It hangs with other mounts and very near pots, so the humidity is a little higher there.

[mitchgirl]

Thanks guys. Sorry about wording, only wrote what was on the label

Will do my best and when its settle down, hopefully pleased, I will post a photo

[Brooke]

Coral the vaginatum does have a wandering growth habit. I have two, both mounted on tree fern, both kept very very moist.

It is hard to contain on the mount because they wander in all directions but it would be much harder to keep it potted in a normal pot/media. The roots only about an 1" long and they need something to immediately grab so the roots don't dry out.

My suggestion would be either the mount or a net pot with moisture retentive media. Eventually the plant will encircle whatever it grows on but moisture is the key to success, however you achieve it.

A bit of sphag on top of the roots will help with the transition. No need for the sphag under the roots, you want the roots to grab the mount, top is better.

Brooke

[mitchgirl]

Thank you Brooke, I think I will give it a try. The roots at the mo are very dry so I have been soaking it to get the moisture back into them and will now mount like you said. It certainly will not be any good in a pot.

I get it right

[rcb]

Originally Posted by Brooke

Eventually the plant will encircle whatever it grows on but moisture is the key to success, however you achieve it.

Brooke

Mitchgirl - I apologize for hijacking, but this brought up something I was wondering about.

Brooke - I have a couple mounted Bulbos, and when they reach the end of the mount, they don't grow around it. They continue growing out in a straight line, and the roots are just hanging out in the air. I can see the difference between these hanging p'bulbs and the ones where the roots are growing onto the mount, and the size of the p'bulb is very very different. With the attached ones being much plumper (which makes sense)

I even tried turning the mount around, so the sunlight would be on the back of it, trying to force the plant to grow around to seek sun. It didn't work, they are still growing in a straight line.

So, how do you get the plant to grow around?

[mitchgirl]

Dont apologise rcb, its interesting what you have asked.

This plants have minds of thier own as if someone has a new outlook on what is happening that good for us all to learn

cannot wait to hear Brooke's reply as I a mounted Bulb Blepharistes ( hope I have put the capital letters in the right place this time ) that is doing the same thing. There is no where for the new growth to cling to but it is really moving on great guns. Should I remount on something bigger

[Brooke]

Pressure Renee. I have rerouted even those thick rhizomes with long internodes back or down to the media. I don't have any of that type mounted but do have some potted that needed guidance to be able to attach to moisture rather than dangle in the air.

I use many things to create the pressure but usually it is the green twisty tie stuff on a roll. Sometimes it takes multiple adjustments to attach the pbulb and it needs to be well hydrated.

Coral can you add the smaller mount to a bigger mount? If it has totally overgrown all sides of the current mount and grows every direction, I'm afraid you would damage the roots getting it off. If that is the case, I would let it grow on itself rather than remove it. If it has covered just one side of a mount, yes, mount it on a bigger mount.

I looked up the blepharistes (species so lower case) and it is gorgeous. For some reason I whipped out my

Brooke