how to get larger tuber from Hab. medusa

[Brooke]

The tuber on my medusae is maybe an inch? It isn't what I call big but it has started making additional tubers the second year it bloomed. I fertilize the Habs every time they get watered since the grow and bloom season is compressed. I grow mine in a coco peat type mix with 50% perlite mixed in. The temps in the g/h never go below 60 degrees.

I know a couple of people who removed the tuber from the pot with damp sphag or peat mix, stick the tubers in a plastic bag and put in the crisper drawer in the frig. I killed my first attempt because I forgot about it let it dry out too much. Keeping them in the g/h reminds me to give it a touch of water every week.

Here is my Hab from two years ago.


Habenaria medusae JCL_0256 by kentucky4, on Flickr

Brooke

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

One thing people forgot to mention is possibly increasing potassium availability.

King, you mean for the tuber to grow bigger? What do you use or would use and how if I may ask?

---------- Post added at 05:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:24 PM ----------

Stunning Brook, I love these blooms! Well, I still did not decide what to do with tuber, I am debating between keeping it in the pot or taking it out, and if out, than how to keep it inside. I do not want to use fridge for sure, I think the inside temperature around 75 would be enough, and I might like idea of paper towel wrap and zip lock, or move the pot inside and water it on the side just little bit every week, not sure really. I guess I will see when time comes and will hope for the best:-) I sometimes wish there was ONE answer and way for everyone, but I know what works for one does not work for other etc:-)))))

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by TOMMYMIAMI

King, you mean for the tuber to grow bigger? What do you use or would use and how if I may ask?

Try using "bulb food". You can find it at your local hardware store.

[orchidsarefun]

does this produce 1 stem/stalk per bulb ? I got one with 1 larger growth and 2 smaller growths. I was wondering if I could ( hopefully ) have more than 1 bulb/tuber in the pot.

[Brooke]

When it dies down I think you will find you have a large(r) tuber with a couple of small ones. You should expect the small ones to produce a normal size tuber next year.

Brooke

[No-Pro-mwa]

That is so cool. Strange blooms, wonderful Brooke

[orchidsarefun]

mine is growing again. I stored it indoors in the mix it came in and provided the occasional watering. I did take it out the pot and found I had only a single ( lumpy ) tuber. Now - photo on a separate thread ( and repotted into fresh mix ) - there are 3 growths from this single tuber. It appears therefore that it can grow from "eyes" - this can be the only explanation for 3 growths from a single tuber. Has anyone else had this experience ? I repotted it on its side as I couldn't tell upside from downside and I wonder if this encouraged multiple growths.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Orientation of the tuberoid does not dictate the number of tuberoids produced. That has nothing to do with it at all.

Number of tuberoids produced has more to do with the number of meristematic tissues that will eventually differentiate into tissues that will form stolons. Those tissues are similar to the tissues found in their roots.

[orchidsarefun]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Orientation of the tuberoid does not dictate the number of tuberoids produced. That has nothing to do with it at all.

Number of tuberoids produced has more to do with the number of meristematic tissues that will eventually differentiate into tissues that will form stolons. Those tissues are similar to the tissues found in their roots.

that may well be so, but I am referring to leaf growth from "eyes" as opposed to leaf growths from separate tubers. I can't tell what is happening under the media. I do know that there is only 1 tuber in the pot ( because I repotted it ) and it has produced 3 separate leaf growths. Last year I thought I had more than one tuber in the pot as there were 2 distinct leaf growths - but it turned out there was only one tuber.