Help with Cymbidium back bulbs.
 

Hi!
I recently got back from South Africa with a new project: a friend gave me a Cymbidium! Her husband had been the one that was the orchid addict and after he passed away his collection was badly neglected.
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Obviously the climate in South Africa is a little different to the one here in UK and I'm sure the flight over has taken its toll on the poor wee plant!
The plant was big enough to be divided in two: one half has some damaged roots and seems to have suffered of some sunburn, but there is also some new growth.
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I would appreciate any tips on how to care for my new orchid.

Now to the real question: What to do with the other half? A cluster of 4 back bulbs?
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They have no roots, but it seems to me that some new roots are starting to push out. I was thinking of using some clonex on it to stimulate the growth. Should I leave it as a cluster or plant them separately?

Thanks for your help.

I don't know much about this, but I know of a link relating to growng backbulbs.

One thing to be careful of, is that I think some rooting hormones are too strong for orchids and can actually inhibit roots as a result. I don't know clonex but it's something to be careful of.

Here is the link. It's a website dedicated to growing orchid backbulbs, and is basically the result of this guys experience of doing it.

Orchid backbulbs

I know it's also been discussed several times here on OB, but I can't lay my fingers on the threads I'm looking for.

I don't think that old backbulbs will grow roots - but they can sprout new leads, which in turn will grow roots.

I am currently in the process of trying to get an old BB to grow a new lead. I have it in bark mix medium and have it sitting on a warm light. It gets watered regularly to help keep moisture around the base to promote new growth. I have heard it can take awhile to start new growth, but only time will tell. Good luck!

You can try putting them in a paper bag and keep in a dark place (like a drawer) . I was able to sprout a back bulb that way but took about 6 months.

Thanks Rosie for the website. It was helpful.

jaxorchidman-> how often do you water? Is it better to keep them a little damp all the time?
Marissa-> did you give them any water while they were in the bag and how much?

jaxorchidman and Marissa you have given me a few good ideas. I wonder what if I split the back bulbs in two and try both in a bag and in bark?

No water at all

There are many ways to handle BBs as Rosie said, and most of them have been addressed before on this website. See "How to make Cymbidium bulbs to sprout"

The easiest however, is to use a 3" pot full of your regular moistened mix in a Zip Loc quart freezer bag. Bury the BB about 1/2 way and right side up with a label and seal the bag. Place it in a warm, brightly lit place and wait. (No direct sun).

It can take up to 6 months to sprout. When the new growth reaches the top of the bag, plant out into a small pot, using the mix from the bag. Technically, what we call Back Bulbs are not bulbs at all but pseudo bulbs. They do not grow roots, as White Rabbit said, but send out new growths from eyes at the basal sides.

You do not generally water the BB in the bag but if it gets too dry, adding a few drops of water is best. Then reseal. Once it is potted out, water and fertilize as you do your other orchids. Watch for sunburn when first set out as the leaves will be tender.

Good Luck,

CL

Pink, I keep mine pretty moist. As I was reading Cym Ladye's post I might try putting it in a big ziplock and try that as it would leave more moisture around the base and I wouldn't have to water as much. Hope everything helps and thanks to Cym Ladye for great info also!!!

I agree totally with CL.. only addition I would make is that I use pure bark. Seems to have less fungal issues than a normal potting mix.