Developing pseudobulb has a bud

[Junebug]

Check this out. My Pot. Richard Young "Cariad's Collette" has six new 4" long growths. These new pseudobulbs are not even close to being fully developed but that didn't stop one of them from producing a bud. All my plants received a dose of bone meal 2 weeks ago. Could the bone meal have caused this to happen?

[jrodpad]

JuneBug,

Forgive the noobie question - but how do you prepare bone meal and administer to your orchids?

Thanks.

- J

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by jrodpad

JuneBug,

Forgive the noobie question - but how do you prepare bone meal and administer to your orchids?

Thanks.

- J

Not a problem. It's commonly sold in the organic gardening section. It's not soluable but it's very finely ground. I combine soluable and non-soluable organic materials. There is no formula for my thrown together concoction of fertilizer. I use spoons of this and a dashes of that to 3 gallons of water. The mixture is allowed to sit for a few hours and then I keep everthing stirred-up and agitated while administering cup fulls to the top of the potting media. I liberally douse my mounted plants in the hopes that some of the solids will get caught in their roots. I keep in mind that it probably takes weeks or even months before the the nonsoluables and slow disolvers are broken down. My potted plants are fertilized less frequently than my mounts. I developed this natural, non-scientific method of fertilizing about a year ago. So far the plants have responded well, but that weird bud development has me concerned that I added a bit too much bone meal.

Disclaimer: I must caution anyone who's thinking about mixing and applying their own fertilizer. Doing so has potential for disaster. Also be aware that it's risky to share water among plants as it risks the spread of disease and insects.

[isurus79]

Very interesting indeed! I've grown 'chids for most of my life, but I've never used bone meal. What do you use it for? Is it just a Ca supplement?

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Very interesting indeed! I've grown 'chids for most of my life, but I've never used bone meal. What do you use it for? Is it just a Ca supplement?

Phosphorous for healthy roots and flowers.

[isurus79]

Oh, ok cool thanks!

[WhiteRabbit]

I know bone meal is frequently used for roses, but I have never used it myself for anything. As to your tiny growth with buds - that's crazy - keep us updated, and I'm hoping someone will have some insight.

[jrodpad]

Thanks JB - I'd love to give this a try some day. Please continue to post pics of the growth as it develops... so interesting!

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by jrodpad

Thanks JB - I'd love to give this a try some day. Please continue to post pics of the growth as it develops... so interesting!

These are follow-up photos of the bud development and bloom. The pseudobulb is still a tiny little thing...about 3 inches long.

The plant was mounted last week after I discovered decayed potting media and rotten roots. It will probably loose a few of the older leaves but otherwise it looks good. All the other pseudobulbs are developing normally. The bud had already fixed it's position before the plant was mounted so it bloomed sideways. I rotated the last picture for a better view of the bloom.

[Call_Me_Bob]

nice!!