Quote Originally Posted by citywildcat View Post
I a NOT a Bulbo grower..the 1st (& only) one I got, died in record time. I've been too chicken to get another one. HOW MANY OF YOU OUT THERE HAVE ANY BULBO'S IN YOUR COLLECTION? This is just sort of an informal survey. (I'm trying to get my confidence up to buy another one and try it.). HOW DO THEY COMPARE IN DIFFICULTY OF GROWING TO OTHER ORCHIDS YOU HAVE? Fill in the blank: BULBOPHYLLUMS ARE GROWN SIMILARLY TO ______. I realize it's difficult to generalize but in terms of cultural requirements, just pick another genius of orchids that are close in their requirements to Bulbos. MANY THANKS!
Hi!
First of all, never give up.
Plants are like people: some are healthy, some are sick. It is possible that you bought a weakened\sick\unfortunate plant. Yes, sometimes plants just die, no matter how experienced you are. If you really like to try growing this genus, go ahead. Try something really easy to grow, like Bulb. sikkemense. I heard the Bulb. frostii is easy to grow, too. I purchased one plant only three months ago, so I don't know much about it yet. It seems to be doing well.
I cannot answer your questions about comparison in difficulty of growing Bulbophyllums to other genera because there are so different. For example, I tried to grow Bulb. beccarii four times and they all died. My last plant last for two years but finally died, too. I am not only unlucky Bulbo. beccarii grower. I know a few more experienced growers that me who did not succeed in growing this species. Those Bulbos need something what I cannot give them in my conditions. I will try to grow this species again in the future, but not very soon. There are a few Bulbophyllum species which I like a lot but cannot grow successfully in my conditions. Another stubborn species is Bulbo. foetidum. I have one 6-y.o. plant which is not dead yet but will be there soon after six years of fight. I know what it needs to be happy but I cannot manage such conditions. However, there are many different Bulbo. species which are easy to grow in different conditions.
Anyway, to make a long story short. Bulbophyllums are wonderful plants, gorgeous and unique just as Zainal said. I think they are worth of trying!!!
Good luck!!