Backbulb propagation in water
 

In the annual supplement (November) to the AOS Orchids magazine, there was an article about sprouting backbulbs in water. Like most gardeners, I had started many different types of cuttings in water, but had never thought to try it with orchids. I have had spotty success with growing backbulbs, and it seemed to take more time that it was worth. The pictures below show the results of my experiment with sprouting in water. I chose a healthy three pb section of backbulbs of Pot. Walnita Char 'Waiakea'. I didn't write down exactly when I started, but it was sometime between early November and November 20 (when I traveled to the Mainland). I removed as much of the old dead root mass as I could, and put the plant in water in a glass, completely covering the eye. I put it is a sunny west facing window. After it started to show roots, I occasionally added a little Maxicrop seaweed extract to encourage rooting.

The first picture below was taken December 8, and shows the bud beginning to grow and 2 roots.

The next picture was taken on January 5, and shows the pb elongating nicely and it had 12 roots. The last picture was taken yesterday. I potted up the plant a few weeks ago. It is doing very well and a couple of the roots are even showing next to the edge of the clear pot. It is potted in a mix of large perlite, small Orchiata (#8 I think) and some larger bark.

I have since started another couple of catt alliance plants using this method and they too are doing well. At least from my experience with starting backbulbs, this is a very quick process - from a dormant eye in a backbulb to a healthy plant in a little over 4 months.

Has anyone else used this method? Maybe it is just new to me.




https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1631/...79fd95c7_z.jpg20151208_085446 by Jo Beth Eubanks, on Flickr


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1472/...f4b3cf88_z.jpg20160105_105842 by Jo Beth Eubanks, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1513/...fa0d290d_z.jpg20160316_181423 by Jo Beth Eubanks, on Flickr

I did not believe the thread header, but your photos are ample proof. Actually, there is not that much difference between water, and pure spaghnum (what I use) when you stop to think about it.

I haven't been so lucky with my experiment. Eye still looks viable though.

A lot of propagators use a small aquarium air pump to bubble air through the water when rooting cuttings. It prevents a lot of nasty smells, and the water stays fresh longer.

Backbulb propagation in water
 

Try "bedding it" in moist perlite. It provides mechanical support for the p-bulb, provides the moisture, while still allowing air flow to the tissues. Make it deep enough that the tray can have water at the bottom that doesn't touch the bulb, and it will wick upward.

Prior to doing that, soak the bulbs in kelp solution overnight.

I have done that a lot with cymbidium back-bulbs, and that's what led me to come up with semi-hydroponic culture.