Dendrobium Speciosum backbulbs

[Gazpacho]

"The Rock Lily Man" The Rock Lily Man says that he never throws out a bulb, just keeps potting them on... so I asked more about this... and the reply I received is well worth sharing....

"Leafless bulbs are easy to bring to life so long as they are not rotten and have a sound eye at the base of the old bulb. Just put it in a fine grade bark mix. Keep the eye at bark level or under if you have to get it sound into the pot, but not above bark level. It could take a year or it may be instant, but you will normally start a new plant off with a half size bulb from the old one. Break your mates plant up into bits of 3 or 4 bulbs and discard the old soft growths, trim off most of the old roots as they are now useless anyway. New growths mean new roots with soft green root tips. Don't damage them! The root tip is the only bit that will take up moisture, and so nutrients, the older white roots just store it, not absorb it up." GW

Over the past several months I've tried the bag and sphag method just like you might do with cymbidiums... plus dipping the bulbs in a bit of Plant Starter (a proprietary blend of indole acetic acid + naphthalene acetic acid) But the "sound eye at the base of the old bulb" pre-determinate had me curious. I haven't noticed any eyes!

I opened up one of my bags and voila .... new growth from the base of my bulbs! I've tried to photograph what I think is this "eye".

Cheers
Gaz

[WhiteRabbit]

Cool

[Stray59]

Gazpacho:
The first pic you list looks like a Bulbophyllum back bulb - and that is definitely an eye showing. The second photo is the Dendrobium speciosum? Many dendrobiums will put out growth at the stem joints - even if they are not prone to kiekis.
Your bag collection looks great - so orderly! I am envious of your organizational skills!!!!
All the plants look great - Best of luck and let us know the results.
Steve

[Gazpacho]

Haha! Thanks Steve. I've become completely obsessed. I hope someone doesn't want their clothes pegs back!

The first photo does look a lot like bulbo.... but I stripped those small bulbs off a nice young clump of dendrobium speciosum var capricornicum when I repotted it. I've been trying to get one good example of each variation... unfortunately I now have around 40 waiting for them to flower so I can decide which to keep- Crazy obsession!

Gazza

[Gazpacho]

Originally Posted by Stray59

Gazpacho:
....... Many dendrobiums will put out growth at the stem joints - even if they are not prone to kiekis...............
Steve

Whoa! I bagged a few backbulbs of a dendrobium kingianum silcockii... and a month later, from just three stalks... I have 8 kiekis forming at stem joints! Whooohoo!

Gaz

[Stray59]

Gaz:
So pleased to hear it. They look great - and you have so many. Years ago I had about 80 Dendrobium nobile given to me. They slowly declined as I was so overloaded with them at once and none of them got the attention they needed. But, after the main plant started to die, the canes started sprouting shoots at about every joint. I was then a little better organized and had over 100 little starts which were just getting growing when our house burned. They were in the basement which was not affected by the flames, but the firemen filled the basement with water trying to put the upstairs out - I was not allowed in the house for several days and needless to say - all were lost; along with my tools, my light setup and my stored art work (drawings). I hate to say it, but I missed my orc's most of all.
Best of luck with the babies - hope you have many more!
Steve