Full sized catt. questions....

[james mickelso]

Good culture is the most efficient method to produce multiple leads on an orchid. Some are more predisposed to doing so but I have used a method that works for the most part mostly on back bulbs. On my cattleyas that are stubborn I go back to the older back bulbs and at the mid point between the two bulbs I make a cut halfway through the rizome with a sharp blade or shears. I dab this wound with powdered cinnamon to seal it against any bad guys. This simulates the plant being injured and most times gets those back bulbs to push a latent bud into growing. It's like making divisions in the pot without repotting. I have better luck with the half incisions than actually cutting the rizome completely. As for multiple leads on the front end, it hasn't worked satisfactorally when I've done it at that position. Good culture is the best way to create multiple leads on the front end. Also so older orchids and those with more numerous pbulbs tend to have the stored energy to push more growth per new lead than those with few pbulbs. I can't stress good culture enough though. That is the surest way to more leads. But give that oldest pbulb a try. Can't hurt. Just cut halfway through the rizome, seal it, and wait.