Cymbidium Back Bulbs - Orchid Board

LadyGT · #1 03-09-2011, 07:45 AM

In another thread, I mentioned that I have been trying to root 3 cymbidum back bulbs on shredded newspaper and it's working. A miracle since I know nothing about this type of orchid.

One has three roots about an inch or less long. When is it safe to actually put it into some bark medium? A part of me is thinking to just leave it there forever because I am afraid of messing up a good thing.

If my luck continues with this one bulb, how long will it take to bloom? Hey, miracles do happen.

Discus · #2 03-09-2011, 07:58 AM

There should be plenty of info on cultivating backbulbs around the place. I'm a rank amateur at this sort of thing, but I suspect the sooner it gets into it's bark/CHC medium pot, the sooner it can start getting established. Make sure you stake the pseudobulb so it doesn't move around and snap off the tender young roots.

I guess it'll take a couple of years before it flowers though...

Sure some more experienced members will chime in soon

p.s. congrats on getting the pseudobulbs to sprout!

cricketerry · #3 03-09-2011, 08:24 AM

As I put my backbulbs directly into bark anyway then I say transfer them now. How long until they flower? 3-4 years from my experience.

LadyGT · #4 03-09-2011, 05:09 PM

Hmm. This may be a dumb question, but have to ask anyway. If it takes so long to cultivate a bulb, why would anybody want to do it unless you are doing it commercially? Three-four years is a very big investment in a plant. Gee, I don't know if I have that much patience to see what color it turns out to be.

Zoi2 · #5 03-09-2011, 11:34 PM

It's not a dumb question but the fun is in the growing. The same reason some of us get seedlings that take 4-5 years to bloom. It's a great feeling when you have a seedling finally bloom.
Joann

cricketerry · #6 03-10-2011, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyGT

............... If it takes so long to cultivate a bulb, why would anybody want to do it unless you are doing it commercially? Three-four years is a very big investment in a plant. Gee, I don't know if I have that much patience to see what color it turns out to be.

Growing from backbulbs is a good way to enlarge your collection and gives you young plants that you can swap with other growers. I have found that the secret is to have enough plants around so you 'forget' about the backbulbs. Usually of course I would be getting backbulbs from plants that have already flowered for me, so I would know what they were like. And growing from a backbulb is several years quicker than growing from seed

Cym Ladye · #7 03-15-2011, 11:53 AM

LadyGT,

Although the plants most see in the box stores are mericlones (copies of plants done by the thousands), to acquire a division of a superior plant that has not been mericloned and since multiple bulb divisions are often not available and prohibitively expensive when they are, starting a BB is the only sensible way to go if one is available. I just returned from the Santa Barbara show in California with several such BBs purchased from some of the top hybridizers in the area and will eagerly await the blooming in 2-3 years.

There are many ways to start BBs and I suggest you visit the Cymbidium Alliance section of this forum. We covered multiple ways about a month ago.

Good Luck,

Cym Lady