Tuber Harvest

[Bulbopedilum]

One of my favorite things about orchids with tubers, it's very satisfying to dump out the pot and then search for the tubers and then see how big they've gotten.

One of my Pecteilis susannae has gone dormant and now I have 3 tubers:

There could be more hiding in the pot, I'll wait until all of them are dormant (I put 3 in the same pot... which was a mistake.)

[DirtyCoconuts]

super cool!

i don't have many tuber plants that are not food

[JScott]

I tried to grow Habenaria radiata this year. I planted the tubers, and the grew and seemed to be doing great, and then they suddenly turned black and died. No idea what i did. So I did not get the pleasure of digging up the tubers once they had gone dormant.

Habenaria radiata likes a lot of water, right? I had it standing in a tray of water, and I would wait until the tray was dry before I would refill it. Was that poor practice? Because they were doing great one day, and then they were dead the next.

[Roberta]

I don't have Hab. radiata (tried to grow it but my winters aren't cold enough) I do have some other species that I suspect like similar conditions... Hab. dentata (outside), Hab. medusa and Hab. rhodocheila in the GH... all are growing in a terrestrial mix (about 50% cactus mix, the balance pumice, perlite, and sand) I water lightly (don't keep completely dry) during dormancy, then kick it up in the spring - which seems to inspire growth. (I have heard instructions to wait for growth before watering... doesn't work for me) But they're well-drained. And that might be the missing factor. Any potting should be during dormancy.

[Bulbopedilum]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

super cool!

i don't have many tuber plants that are not food

You should try them some time, nice flowers, easy to propagate, and for me so far, easy to grow
Plus, you only have to water them for half the year, so you're saving on water!

Originally Posted by JScott

I tried to grow Habenaria radiata this year. I planted the tubers, and the grew and seemed to be doing great, and then they suddenly turned black and died. No idea what i did. So I did not get the pleasure of digging up the tubers once they had gone dormant.

Habenaria radiata likes a lot of water, right? I had it standing in a tray of water, and I would wait until the tray was dry before I would refill it. Was that poor practice? Because they were doing great one day, and then they were dead the next.

I haven't tried that species, not available here. Not sure what happened with the tubers, I've never actually had any of mine suddenly turn black, they all get sick and "deflate" gradually... but then again, only a couple years of experience. I've only had these Pecteilis since January of last year.

I only have Habenaria medusa as for Habenaria right now, 7 tubers (although 4 are very small) dormant, and one weirdo just sprouting.

On the water, I try to keep my Pecteilis wet, as in nature they grow and sprout in the rainy season it's logical to think they would want wet conditions (Im not perfectly sure about Habenaria radiata, maybe try Googling some climate info for places it comes from). Not sure why yours died all of a sudden...

Originally Posted by Roberta

...Any potting should be during dormancy.

Hmm, last year I waited for my tubers to have a sign of growth, a tiny sprout, before potting them up in moss.

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Also do remember that both H. medusa and P. susannae are native to where I live so that might give me an advantage...

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Bulbopedilum

Hmm, last year I waited for my tubers to have a sign of growth, a tiny sprout, before potting them up in moss.

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Also do remember that both H. medusa and P. susannae are native to where I live so that might give me an advantage...

Indeed, your climate suits them! But even in winter when you probably get less rain, there is humidity, and probably morning dew. Where I live, "dry" means "bone dry" ...Only rain is in the winter, and most of the time it isn't much - or very often. And is often followed by a week or so of very warm weather with single-digit humidity. So I have to modify the "dry" instruction for almost everything and at least supply some misting and occasionally a drink... Your "dry" is, I suspect, a lot wetter than my "dry".

Hab. radiata comes from the mountains in Japan - so in nature they encounter frost. I have tried them, they just don't wake up. So I'd put them in the same category as many of the Cypripediums... which I also can't grow, for the same reason. I could probably put them in the refrigerator for a few months, but that's 'way too much trouble for a very uncertain outcome.

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[SaraJean]

Tubers are indeed very satisfying! lol

Originally Posted by Roberta

I don't have Hab. dentata (tried to grow it but my winters aren't cold enough) ... all are growing in a terrestrial mix (about 50% cactus mix, the balance pumice, perlite, and sand)

I’m still trying to develop a good terrestrial mix, I hadn’t thought about using a little cactus mix. I would probably have to add less, but I always have a bag of that stuff laying around. The mix I made up this year is alright, but it’s drying too much for my taste. I also might split up a few of mine this winter and try a little bit of light watering on a few of them. They all were soooo sluggish to wake up. I actually thought my medusa was a goner when I just spotted some little sprouts two weeks ago

[Bulbopedilum]

Originally Posted by SaraJean

I’m still trying to develop a good terrestrial mix, I hadn’t thought about using a little cactus mix...

My terrestrial mix is... moss. All terrestrials, are in the same thing. I haven't seen any major issues with it...

What is the problem with moss for you guys? Is it expensive? breaks down too easily? Something else?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Bulbopedilum

My terrestrial mix is... moss. All terrestrials, are in the same thing. I haven't seen any major issues with it...

What is the problem with moss for you guys? Is it expensive? breaks down too easily? Something else?

I find it difficult to control the moisture content... either it's too soggy (and airless) or it dries out to the crunchy point and then is hard to rewet. On the drier side I actually find it quite useful, in baskets, to provide a good wet-dry cycle for epiphytes A little wetter and it works well for Pleurothallids... but again, they're epiphytes so the variability of the moisture content fits their needs. Terrestrials, not so much. I find a mixture of inorganic (like pumice) and freely-draining soil (different proportions depending on which terrestrials) gives a better level of control in my conditions, which can be quite dry.

[SaraJean]

Originally Posted by Bulbopedilum

My terrestrial mix is... moss. All terrestrials, are in the same thing. I haven't seen any major issues with it...

What is the problem with moss for you guys? Is it expensive? breaks down too easily? Something else?

I do like using moss but that’s usually for orchids in baskets and small or shallow clay pots. Moss in plastic pots (especially the size I use for my few terrestrials) doesn’t seem to work too well for the things I grow outdoors. My environment is the exact opposite of Roberta’s. The moss is usually sludge towards the end of the growing season and it’s hard for me to maintain a good moisture level without it getting too soggy. I’ve tried straight moss, and the ones I have received have been in moss, but I haven’t been able to figure out how to make it work for me