Encyclia cochleata from backbulbs?
 

Hey everyone!

I just got my encyclia cochleata in the mail today, and I am soooo excited about it!

However, when I repotted it, one of the old and very wobbly old and leafless bulbs just fell right off. It is plump and green, essentially rootless, and I am wondering if you guys have had luck with encyclia/prosthechea propagation in this manner.

What things should I do?

I am thinking of letting it soak overnight in some superthrive or kelp fertilizer/rooting stimulant. What would you recommend?

I then plan to just sit it on some wet sphagnum moss until I have a few roots that are 2-3 inches each, then potting it.

Will this work out? Does this genera have any particular tricks? It would be pretty cool to have two of this plant for the price of one! :)

A leafless pbulb (old pbulb) won't grow roots. It could be possible for it to start a new growth, which would then grow roots. I've propagated Cym back bulbs (they're easy), but not any other genera. It's my understanding that it's possible with other genera, tho less of a sure thing.
For Cyms, I just place the backbulb in (only minimally buried at the base) fine bark mix, place in a shady spot, water as usual, and wait for new growth.

Hopefully some other members have some genera specific advice for you.

Good luck!

As Sonya said, the old pbulb will not grow roots so skip the soaking part of the routine. Put it on the damp sphag, put it in medium light and hope it has enough energy stored to produce a new growth.

I've successfully grown many different Catt family and Coel from very old pbulbs.

You have nothing to lose by trying it.

Brooke

Don't skip the soaking, it will still give the pseudobulb a boost. Yes, it will have to get a new growth from a dormant eye before it will get roots, but a kick of nutrients and hormones now can't hurt. I have also seen this species get a keiki at the top of the pseudobulb. For that reason I would lay the pseudobulb flat on a bed of sphagnum rather than propping it up. This thing grows like a weed if it is half-way happy, so I think you have a good chance.

I'm trying to regenerate an Encyclia that has no leaves, but some roots. It's started to sprout two new growths. I keep it in a small plastic container on some plastic wrap that has soaked sphagnum below it and cover the top with plastic wrap. It gets approximately ~3-6000fc inside the plastic in the Michigan sun right now (south window) and inches under HO t5s (~2k fc) when the sun's not out.

My sister's Green Hornet (cochleatum hybrid) was knocked out of the tree and split/damaged. I got the back bulbs growing and a year later blooming for her- I just potted them up as normal with a little top dressing of spag, removed when new growths were advanced. However, there were 3 bulbs and roots to it.
The front few bulbs didn't miss a beat.