Bulb Definitions
Login
User Name
Password   


Registration is FREE. Click to become a member of OrchidBoard community
(You're NOT logged in)

menu menu

Sponsor
Donate Now
and become
Forum Supporter.

Bulb Definitions
Many perks!
<...more...>


Sponsor
 

Google


Fauna Top Sites
Register Bulb Definitions Members Bulb Definitions Bulb Definitions Today's PostsBulb Definitions Bulb Definitions Bulb Definitions
LOG IN/REGISTER TO CLOSE THIS ADVERTISEMENT
Go Back   Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web ! > >
Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-25-2010, 08:36 AM
fisher60 fisher60 is offline
Member
 

Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: West Central Florida
Posts: 49
Bulb Definitions
Default Bulb Definitions

This may sound very silly but what is the difference between a Psuedobulb and a Backbulb? I wanted to try starting a new Cymbidium and the propagation instructions I found tell me to use a "Backbulb"?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-25-2010, 12:41 PM
King_of_orchid_growing:)'s Avatar
King_of_orchid_growing:) King_of_orchid_growing:) is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Apr 2008
Zone: 9a
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 9,313
Default

Backbulbs are old pseudobulbs.

A pseudobulb is a swelling of the stem in epiphytical orchids and certain terrestrial/semi-terrestrial orchids (if they're in terrestrials and semi-terrestrials, then this structure is above the ground) that is used as a means of food and water storage.

As the name implies, pseudobulbs are not true bulbs. They are above ground modified stems. True bulbs are modified underground leaves.
__________________
Philip

Last edited by King_of_orchid_growing:); 03-25-2010 at 12:52 PM..
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-25-2010, 12:45 PM
trdyl trdyl is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Aug 2009
Zone: 6a
Member of:TVOS, AOS, FSoA
Location: Mountain Home, Idaho
Age: 58
Posts: 3,387
Bulb Definitions Male
Default

A backbulb is a pseudobulb. The backbulbs are furthest from the growing lead. They can produce new growing leads as long as they have viable eyes and you can keep them alive long enough. Usually the roots on backbulbs are not the best. But under the right conditions once the main leads are severed will start putting out growth form the dormant eyes.

Last edited by trdyl; 03-25-2010 at 12:47 PM..
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-25-2010, 12:59 PM
fisher60 fisher60 is offline
Member
 

Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: West Central Florida
Posts: 49
Bulb Definitions
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:) View Post
Backbulbs are old pseudobulbs.

A pseudobulb is a swelling of the stem in epiphytical orchids and certain terrestrial/semi-terrestrial orchids (if they're in terrestrials and semi-terrestrials, then this structure is above the ground) that is used as a means of food and water storage.

As the name implies, pseudobulbs are not true bulbs. They are above ground modified stems. True bulbs are modified underground leaves.
Thanks. Then in my Cymbidium, the backbulb is the psuedobulb that produced the fower stem?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-25-2010, 01:01 PM
fisher60 fisher60 is offline
Member
 

Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: West Central Florida
Posts: 49
Bulb Definitions
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by trdyl View Post
A backbulb is a pseudobulb. The backbulbs are furthest from the growing lead. They can produce new growing leads as long as they have viable eyes and you can keep them alive long enough. Usually the roots on backbulbs are not the best. But under the right conditions once the main leads are severed will start putting out growth form the dormant eyes.
Thanks Ted. I'd like to try starting another Cymbidium and wanted to make sure I understood the terminology.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-25-2010, 01:04 PM
King_of_orchid_growing:)'s Avatar
King_of_orchid_growing:) King_of_orchid_growing:) is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Apr 2008
Zone: 9a
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 9,313
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by fisher60 View Post
Thanks. Then in my Cymbidium, the backbulb is the psuedobulb that produced the fower stem?
I guess it would be if the spike is coming out from the older pseudobulbs.
__________________
Philip
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-25-2010, 03:37 PM
fisher60 fisher60 is offline
Member
 

Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: West Central Florida
Posts: 49
Bulb Definitions
Default

The plant originally had 2 spikes. 1 in flower, the second never did open any of the buds. And it only has 2 bulbs. I have no clue if the spikes were on the original bulb or not. Others have since told me not to try to divide the plant until it gets much bigger. 4-5 bulbs. I did repot it because the roots had grown up out of the pot. I had to cut the pot open to get it out. I know most orchids like to be crowded but this one appeard to be strangling. Now I believe I'll leave it alone and hope it makes it through the summer and re-blooms again this fall.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-25-2010, 05:22 PM
WhiteRabbit WhiteRabbit is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: May 2008
Zone: 9a
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 26,634
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by fisher60 View Post
The plant originally had 2 spikes. 1 in flower, the second never did open any of the buds. And it only has 2 bulbs. I have no clue if the spikes were on the original bulb or not. Others have since told me not to try to divide the plant until it gets much bigger. 4-5 bulbs. I did repot it because the roots had grown up out of the pot. I had to cut the pot open to get it out. I know most orchids like to be crowded but this one appeard to be strangling. Now I believe I'll leave it alone and hope it makes it through the summer and re-blooms again this fall.
good call!
Ideally any divisions should consist of 3 pbulbs and a new growth. That said - bigger is better! I don't divide plants unless they would become too big to manage, or someone specifically would like a division, and the plant is large enough for me to feel comfortable doing so.

As to your 'back bulb' question - with cyms - to me at least - this generally refers to old leafless pbulbs, that are generally covered by dead bract foliage giving the appearance the the pbulb is dead. When a cym has sufficient newer growth, these old back bulbs can be removed and propagated. The back bulbs themselves won't grow roots or bloom, but new growth will start. It can be a few years before these become bloom size.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-25-2010, 08:58 PM
fisher60 fisher60 is offline
Member
 

Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: West Central Florida
Posts: 49
Bulb Definitions
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit View Post
good call!
Ideally any divisions should consist of 3 pbulbs and a new growth. That said - bigger is better! I don't divide plants unless they would become too big to manage, or someone specifically would like a division, and the plant is large enough for me to feel comfortable doing so.

As to your 'back bulb' question - with cyms - to me at least - this generally refers to old leafless pbulbs, that are generally covered by dead bract foliage giving the appearance the the pbulb is dead. When a cym has sufficient newer growth, these old back bulbs can be removed and propagated. The back bulbs themselves won't grow roots or bloom, but new growth will start. It can be a few years before these become bloom size.
Well, to me, the plant looks great. It currently is staked out in between a ring of African Walking Iris's beneath a grandfather oak. This to shade it the entire summer while waiting for our fall which is normally mid to late November. I know it likes plenty of light but here in Fla, light is heat. Now if I don't forget to water & feed it occassionally.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
backbulb, found, instructions, propagation, starting, definitions, bulb


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Feedback for T5 light bulb vendors & 2G11 BASE 55W bulb Vendors Becca Vendor Feedback 1 10-18-2009 04:41 PM
T5 HO setup 4 bulb vs. 8 bulb. Cowboys East Growing Under Lights 4 03-05-2009 11:38 AM
Photos to differentiate Bulb. jacobsonii and their relation wilson Bulbophyllum Alliance 14 01-22-2009 03:51 PM
Halogen bulb vs. compact flourescent Jeremy Growing Under Lights 1 08-16-2007 06:58 PM
New bulb growth Tank Attack Beginner Discussion 5 12-21-2006 10:39 AM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:40 PM.

© 2007 OrchidBoard.com
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.37 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.

Clubs vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.