Reviving Grammatophyllum Scriptum

[tarev]

This Grammatophyllum Scriptum "Hihimanu" never bloomed since I got it last Feb 2010, and it gradually declined, from 3 healthy bulbs, down to one, and now the last one has really started to decay, but it did manage to send out a good shoot with thriving leaves. It has since been repotted to just hydroton media. I was thinking of removing the decaying pseudobulb, but I read somewhere that the plants sometimes still draw energy from it. Should I just let the plant do its thing in gradually decaying that old pseudobulb? Initially, it was potted in bark medium, then I moved it to a semi-hydro set-up then, I just kept it in just hydroton no semi-hydro set-up.

[Cym Ladye]

If the bulb is soft and squishy, remove the growth and repot in a more moisture retaining but well draining medium. I do not think the hydroton is the answer for your growing conditions. You may not have enough humidity in your growing environment either.

CL

[Wjs2nd]

I actually grow mine in a basket with moss. I didn't pack down the moss.

[Merlyn]

I grow mine successfully, 4 years now, in a sphag/leca combo. They are definitely water hogs and will show a pleated or wilting leaf when they don't get enough ! I just divided mine into 4 pieces because it was outgrowing the pot !!! I do it like most of my Bulbs and leave 1/2" water in the dish every time I water it.

[tarev]

Thanks for all the input! I will see tomorrow how the roots look like, and will try to remove the dying bulb..and will add some sphagnum moss...keeping fingers crossed!

[Baz in Oz]

Tarek, sorry to jump in but it looks like the thread has wound down anyway.

I have been following the thread with interest as I have two VERY distressed Gramms that have lost their leaves and roots.

Could you please explain to me how you grow your plants as you have me puzzled with your mention of 'leaving a 1/2" of water in the dish'.

Baz

[Merlyn]

That's me, Baz. I have it in a plastic clear pot with sphag moss and leca about 50/50. I put it in an empty catch dish so that when I water/fertilize I leave 1/2" of water in the dish. It soaks it up in a day, 2 days after I water the 1/2" is gone. Works for me in my house under lights environment and for most of my 25 Bulbophyllums !

[got ants]

I have mine in a 10" teak basket. Its potted inmostly bark medium, but in the same medium it was in since I got it. I was told to never repot it, but to stick it in a larger basket (basket and all) and add more medium.

One thing I found out for sure, it does not like temps under 50% F. Moderate light and plenty of water, plus a regular fungicide treatment every month in the summer, two months in the winter. I also grow it outside (loves the 90+ temps in the summer plus monsoon rains).

Hope this helps you...

[Merlyn]

got ants?

Why, want some ???

Seriously, it DOES like hot temps and lots of water ! I don't put it outside because I only get filtered sun and I get more light inside under the lights ! I just put mine under my new T5 6 bulb fixture and I'll keep you posted. It stays in the high 80's to 90's under the T5 !!!

[Baz in Oz]

Thanks guys! Guess what I will be doing today?

Baz