Brown bulbs

[Alex]

Hi all,

I wonder if I could borrow your collective experience. I've grown Pleiones for quite a few years but don't remember noticing before that some of the old pseudobulbs turn brown and shrivel well ahead of the leaf die back, indeed while the new bulb with leaf seems to be still growing healthily. This applies to a few of my bulbs, and I noticed the first shrivelled bulb maybe a few weeks ago (end of August). The new bulbs do seem to be big and healthy (mostly, anyway) still, but I wonder whether I have managed to rot the old bulb off prematurely by overwatering, or whether this is just normal?

Cheers,

Alex

[Maren]

Hello Alex,

don't worry, this is pretty normal. If the replacement pseudobulbs are growing well, you have nothing to worry about.

With the temperatures dropping, it's best to be a little cautious with the watering can. Lift the pot to feel if it's light before you water. At this time of year, I don't soak the pots any more, and I water in the morning so that the leaves are dry by nightfall.

[Alex]

Thanks Maren, that's reassuring and I will hold off the water.

Btw, the P.praecox I got from you at the beginning of the year have huge new bulbs with buds, looking forward to a nice display!

Cheers,

Alex

[Maren]

Glad to hear it, Alex. Mine aren't too bad either.

[Pieter]

Hello Alex

I have the same situation here. Some bulbs have started their winter rest verry early this season, as you said the end of august. I think it is due to the lower temperatures we had for a couple af weeks from mid august on.
As long as the new bulbs look good I am happy.

Greetings

Pieter