A conundrum of sorts

[Mugsie]

Everything I've read concerning splitting orchids says make sure there are at least two to three pseudobulbs per division, yet when purchasing orchids, the majority are sold as a single bulb. Why?
Hmmm? 🤔

[Roberta]

Seedlings maybe? If so, they haven't been divided, they're just babies. Divisions of mature plants are not usually a single pseudobulb if you're getting plants from good vendors. I assume you're thinking about things like Cattleyas, Cymbidiums, Oncidiums etc. Monopodial orchids such as Phals and Vandas have a single growth point so one growth is to expected (large plants may make clumps with basal growths), but they also don't have pseudobulbs.

[Louis_W]

I agree with roberta that most good sellers dont do that. I have seen some valuable/historical plants sold that b way at auction once though... ita probably money. 3 one bulb divisions for 75 each or a three bulb division for 100.

If you want a plant to continue to grow withought missing a beat, you want 3 or more bulbs.

If you have a single bulb division of a fully mature plant i think most experienced growers could get it to grow, but it would take 2 or 3 growth before it got back up to its mature size. I would consider doing that for a really special plant that i usually couldnt afford. If the seller was up front about the situation, that is.

If i bought a division without knowing i would receive a single bulb, i would send it back

[Jmoney]

agree with Roberta. guessing you are talking seedlings. most sellers who divide sympodial orchids sell 3+ bulb divisions, unless for example its a backbulb division in which case they are generally advertised that way

[Mugsie]

I hear all of you concerning "good" vendors, and I do agree, but I also see quite a few singles, especially intergenerics. For instance, I have a local nursery near me that lately has been selling a lot of oncidiums, odontoglossum and militonias, which are healthy, some in spike, but a single bulb. Thoughts?

[Roberta]

You are buying young plants not divisions. If they were divisions you would be paying a lot more.

[estación seca]

Those Oncidium intergenerics are mericlones flowering for the first time. If you look closely you will see the older, much smaller pseudobulbs. With good care Oncidium intergenerics suddenly go from making tiny pseudobulbs to a huge flowering growth. With proper care they will make one or two large growths almost as soon as that growth finishes flowering.

[isurus79]

I also want to point out that selling single bulbs of species that make big, fat bulbs (e.g., Catasetums, Cymbidiums, Ansellia, Cyrtopodium, etc.) is fairly common and is quite normal!

[Leafmite]

Oncidiums, Zygos, Cyncnodes, Phal-type Dendrobiums and the ones you mentioned are like Pleiones and other plants that grow from bulbs or tubers. They have storage enough for the next round of growth. I have grown all of the ones I mentioned from an initial single growth or bulb. I currently have a little Oncidium that is a single bulb. Once Oncidiums get going, though....