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Back Bulb ID??????

8 years ago

Greetings From The Cattleya Capital,

I am an experienced orchid grower but I haven't grown in some years and not in this climate zone. I am just starting to experimenet. Today, my BFF throws this little ball of desiccation in my direction (see photos). She remembers creamy color flowers and the laurenciana.. I've grown pandurata before and these bulbs seem to be too small to be Coel. Anyone have a guess?


Also a refresher on BB propagation would be greatly appreciated since it's been about 100 years since I've done it. There are no roots, no even on the new growth. I have no access to fancy growing aids like rooting hormone, spag, mounts baskets etc.

Thank you,

PereiraCity

Comments (10)

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Thank you. The coconuts down this way have been stripped by the time they get to market, so no. There is low quality bark in a bag available. This indeed is a Coel laurenciana. what a shame she didn't call me sooner. Orchids are rare, apart from Catts in these parts. I'll try putting it on a glass. I may be able to find marbles, maybe. you think?

    My other idea was to line a pot with sponge. There are cheap kitchen sponges that dry really fast and organic sea sponge that is similar to CHC....????? any thoughts? Gracias

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Had to travel for this and a small glass jar like baby food. I have a tall skinny drinking glass as well. Now what exactly do I do????? I see 2 tiny weenie bulbs starting to pop. no roots yet

  • 8 years ago

    I'm sorry, I haven't responded quickly because I'm thinking about your situation. Can you soak the fiber you got, Palm or coconut, my tablet isn't showing it close enough for me to see and place the pseudobulbs so touch it but aren't wrapped in it using the glass or jar to hold it in place? Orchids are determined and if they know moisture is near their roots should grow towards it. The other option is to attach it to a tree and use your fiber as an extra water source while it grows roots.

  • 8 years ago

    Thank you..answer when you can. I am grateful for any help.


    It's coco! I went up into the mountains today and found it at the source hahaha.Everything is a major effort here. 2 buses and a little walk.

    I know what you mean about touching it. Take a look at the pic and tell me if that is what you were describing.

    The million dollar question: What about watering??

    I did find 2 microscopic bulbs. no roots on them...yet. well, at least I got in a growth cycle. I really want this orchid. The fragrance. Beyond Catts, there is no variety here. Love Coels. She got this one in Ecuador or Brazil. I would love to successfully restart this one. She doesn't want it. The fragrance is divine

  • 7 years ago

    I think that really might work! As for watering I would probably put the water in the bottom of the jar so the moisture sucks up to the bulbs. What about food? From what I gather you don't have a lot of access to easy supplies, and coir/coconut fiber isn't nutrient rich. Can you mix up some alfalfa tea or something similar? I read somewhere that occasionally cinnamon is used as a rooting stimulant. I use it to deal wounds on my pseudobulbs.

    Do you mind me asking where you are?

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    The jar is too wet. The rhizome has taken a bit of a beating. I used a clay pot. The coco is staying very wet. Our short summer appears to be over and the rains have started. Humidity is not a worry. I managed to get some fertilizer but it is in pellet form. I can grind it into powder, but there are no roots. I can see that this Coel. tried to restart itself in 3 different places but lack of proper care destroyed every tiny new root. I hope it can shoot 1 more time. I live in a remote town in the Colombian Andes

  • 7 years ago

    A clay pot sounds perfect or since the rainy season has begun is there a tree you could attach it too with a thin layer of coir to ensure moisture? You definitely have a challenge in your hands! I tried to get a picture of my propagation of bulb instructions but the text wouldn't come out clear.

    The instructions say pot up in orchid mix, sit backbulb on the surface to prevent rotting the dormant growth buds. Place in cool shady location & keep moist. New growth starts within 6 weeks & 3-3 months you'll have a new shoot.


  • 7 years ago

    Plant comes from Tropical South East Asia at a bit of elevation so not Tropical Lowland. Correct spelling is Coel. lawrenceana.

    Many Coelogne are easy to grow here in treated pine bark (latitude 34S sub Tropical) but as you go north to tropical Australia mixes tend to be more arid.

    Do not have the one in question, but the ones I have are all growing at bench level in a shade house. Shadecloth 80%. Never allowed to dry out.

    Tried coir, went back to treated pine bark. Use whatever you have that works well for your other Genera and pot in a small pot to start with or attach it to the eastern side of a tree as carlotaroser suggests.


  • 7 years ago

    Thanks to both of you. No I have no trees. I am in an apartment building " in town". I hope she has 1 more bulb for me. It was such a young plant to start. I'm really itching to send for some Neptune's harvest from the states. So expensive and no guarantee of arrival. I've had a lot of luck with that. I made some egg shell tea, I don't think it's worth the time at this point. there are no living roots. The clouds are starting their tireless march down the Sierra, no worries about humidity.Hahaha. If I pull a rabbit out of this hat, I will update this post. The new bulb will be seedling size. Ufff.

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