Just what I have noticed....

[johnblagg]

on a older plant or even a division that is not that old,I have noticed that old shriveled up back bulbs seem to slow them down a bit.

I have had a couple that when I cut the old back bulbs loose they kicked it up a notch and developed multiple eyes due to the old bulbs with few roots not diverting food needed for sustaining multiple growths from the leading section,and I often get old dormant eyes on the back bulbs to start into active growth as a bonus without any extra effort

I have a cattleya intermedia right now that the older back bulbs were looking finished and ratty,a simple snip at a good looking point and now two new leads at the newest section in the front ...and whoot two eyes way in the back on a section that has no roots at all in active growth as well....

It well worth simply cutting the old sections loose and leaving them to do what they will where they are. I am finding even a old section that looks like it is totaly finished will surprise you if its just separated and left in place....you can always repot and separate the two if needed at a later time.

[Connie Star]

That's an interesting observation. I will have to try that. I have been hesitant, but my scissors are getting restless....

[silken]

Very interesting and worth trying I think.

[Lana]

How interesting... I read so many times that old back bulbs store energy that helps the new growth. I'll wait 'till I'm more experienced orchid grower before I'll try that, but it definitely sounds like something worth experimenting with.

[Lana]

Johnblagg, how big does the plant need to be for you to feel comfortable cutting off the back bulbs?

[RobS]

That depends on the species.

Some will survive with one bulb but in general I'd say a minimum of 3. Even with 3 bulbs it can take 1-2 years before the plant will flower again.

[camille1585]

Yes, the old bulbs provide energy, but I don't think Johm is suggesting to remove ALL the backbulbs, only the oldest and rattiest ones. At least that's the way I understand it. I'll try to remember this once my Catt is older and has ugly old bulbs.

I wonder if this would work on other PB plants, like Oncs?

[RobS]

Was replying more to the quesiton of Lana.

As an alternative you can cut the rhizom of a plant without repotting this way you'll damage less roots and still can get extra shoots. I do this with my Tunia although that's a special case as it's renews itself every year with the stem / bulb of last year spending all it's energy on the new shoot.

[Lana]

Originally Posted by RobS

Was replying more to the quesiton of Lana.

As an alternative you can cut the rhizom of a plant without repotting this way you'll damage less roots and still can get extra shoots. I do this with my Tunia although that's a special case as it's renews itself every year with the stem / bulb of last year spending all it's energy on the new shoot.

I really like this option! Sounds like a fool-proof one to me

[johnblagg]

Originally Posted by Lana

Johnblagg, how big does the plant need to be for you to feel comfortable cutting off the back bulbs?

On the intermedia I did just recently i left all the newest Pbs that have good roots attached to the main plant ....I cut loose the ones that were very very shriveled and ratty with very few or no roots....

They had just enough roots that they are firmly on the mount yet but the roots are dead or almost dead.

As someone else mentioned I would not leave less than 3 good pbs on the main section and in fact I realy only want to cut loose pbs that look like they are taking more than they can give....