To thrive in the perpetual twilight of the rainforest, orchids have developed a clever survival strategy. So that they can absorb sunlight, the plants sit high on the branches and cling to them with their roots. The bulbs make a valuable contribution to the care of leaves and flowers. Read here what bulbs actually are and when to cut them.

Under no circumstances should green bulbs be cut off

What are bulbs actually?

As epiphytes, orchids use their roots to cling to branches or rocks. With their aerial roots, they take vital moisture and nutrients from the rain. So that epiphytic orchids don't have to live from hand to mouth, they produce bulbs for storage. These are thickened shoots that serve as storage organs for water and nutrients. The leaves and flower stalks sprout from these.

Cut bulbs professionally - this is how it works

As long as a bulb thrives plump and green, it performs its vital task as a storage organ. A cut can only be considered when the tuber gradually shrivels up and dries up. Experienced orchid gardeners advocate pruning in combination with repotting. The best time for most orchid species is a day at the end of winter. How to do it right:

  • Repot the orchid with the dried bulbs in early spring
  • Remove the discarded substrate to get a clear view of the root ball
  • Cut off dried bulbs and aerial roots with a disinfected scalpel
  • Dust the cuts with cinnamon or powdered charcoal

In the new culture pot, first fill in expanded clay balls as drainage and a first layer of fresh orchid soil. Put the orchid and its remaining bulbs back into it. Then give the remaining substrate over the roots and water.

Use backbulbs for propagation - this is how it works

As long as the bulbs from the previous year have not completely died and dried up, they have the potential to reproduce. Although these back bulbs have no leaves, they are only slightly shriveled and still have vital aerial roots. If one or more backbulbs catch your eye when repotting, it is worth trying to get them to sprout again with the following measures:

  • Fill a mason jar with sphagnum and moisten slightly
  • Place the lid in a semi-shady, warm location
  • Air out from time to time and spray with soft water

If new leaflets sprout from the bulb, the experiment is successful. Before you repot the future orchid in normal substrate, at least 2 additional new roots should have developed.

tips

Don't let the different terms bulbs and pseudobulbs confuse you. Orchid gardeners usually speak of bulbs, although technically correct they are pseudobulbs. Real bulbs are multi-layered onions. On the other hand, the tubers on orchids thrive homogeneously (without shells). So there is no difference between the two terms.

Category:

Indoor plants