Forceing growth on back bulbs?

[Virgil]

Pulled some back bulbs out of the trash pile, will try some of the suggestions, dosen't take much room and will give me something else to watch.

[Brooke]

With the great collection you have, feel free to PM me when you get some growth :>)

Brooke

[elamental]

I have used live sphagnum moss method lots of times and 99% of the plants grow very well and i have found that the bulbophyllums are one of the best ones to do this method with, but i like to choose a growing part with an old bulb and growing or a newly formed bulb or two old bulbs together to do this, i find that cymbidiums are a little harder. I also use this method for most of me carnivorous plant cuttings.

[jsauger]

Originally Posted by Don Perusse

Is there a way, a procedure, a paste, or other way of forcing back bulbs to produce growth?

What I do is find a back bulb which has what looks like a dormant bud. Then, taking a sterile razor I cut one third to half way through the tissue connecting to the next newest back bulb. I dust the cut with fungicide or cinnamon to help prevent disease. Within a couple weeks the back bulb will produce a new lead which can then be divided from the parent. I use this method to get some of my old catts to grow in more than one direction so I get a more rounded plant.

[elamental]

i like the idea i see that working with some of carnivorous plants, whar would you think is they best type of orchids to do this on?

[Jerry Delaney]

When you say back bulbs, I'm not sure if you are referring to leafless single bulbs or after dividing say Catts of Oncidiums a group of old bulbs that still bear leaves. Those plants with leaves on 2-3 year old bulbs I simply pot just as the front leads. leafless single bulbs get treated similarly except I use a mix that holds water a little longer.

[Baz in Oz]

Don, a trick I picked up somewhere is to cut through the rhizome where you plan to divide the plant, using a clean, sharp knife, while the entire plant is still in the pot. You then slip in a piece of name tag into the cut to keep the pieces apart.
Leave things alone until the back cut develops a new lead - if you are lucky.
I find this method gives the back cut a fighting chance as it's roots are still intact.

Baz