PSEUDOBULBS: Cracking

Ailments Orchid Doctor

by Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler)

Originally published in The Orchid Doctor in 1980 and 1988

Posted by Sys Admin almost 8 years ago.

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Cattleyas sometimes develop horizontal cracks or breaks in their pseudobulbs and the upper part can break off under the weight of the flowers; the cause in not known; it may be genetic; illus. AH59

It may be inherited or caused by the lack of boron; apply a solution of 1 tpg. of boric acid four or five times a year. S215; this will kill the plant OWD

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More The Orchid Doctor Articles under the Heading Pseudobulbs

Pseudobulbs Comments
PSEUDOBULBS: Black A fungus disease causes this on cattleyas; control it best by watering in the morning and provide good air circulation. A68-1107 0
PSEUDOBULBS: Blackening and Dying It is probably one of the black rot diseases; try Banrot at 1 ttpg. or Benlate at 1/2 ttpg. plus Truban at 1 ttpg. mixed. A76-403 0
PSEUDOBULBS: Broken To prevent infection expose the broken surface to air and allow the cells to dry. A71-1021 0
PSEUDOBULBS: Disfigured by Horizontal Cracking These unusual splits are physiological disorders which weaken the pseudobulb: and easily cause breaking, sometimes by its own weight. A85-1335 0
PSEUDOBULBS: Dormant Too many of them on a plant often indicates that a poor root system exists. OD68-172 0
PSEUDOBULBS: Formation Short very fat ones on cattleyas are possibly genetic in origin; it may be caused by a deficiency of boron; make 1 tpg. of Boric acid and put 2 ttpg. of this in each gal. of fertilizer solution and use it every two months, A71-917 0
PSEUDOBULBS: Mature What constitutes maturity: it is when neither bulb or leaf is expanding, when roots are active, or inactive, but healthy during their rest period; ripe; fully made up. A70-535; OR78-177 0
PSEUDOBULBS: Rootless They still serve a purpose; if they have leaves and are plump, they contain and produce food. A75-803; A80-356 0
PSEUDOBULBS: Rotting When this happens, open up the potting mix if it is dense; watch for water with nutrient in the leaf joints which can cause bacterial damage; peat moss and sand in t he mix can also contribute to it. AU84-204 0
PSEUDOBULBS: Sheath Technically called the cataphyl, the membraneous covering is a protection to the new bulb and especially to the new eye; remove it only if it is loose. A68-7 0
PSEUDOBULBS: Shrivelling On cattleyas this means that humidity is low or that the potting medium is loose and is providing poor moisture distribution. A75-876 0
PSEUDOBULBS: Shrivelling During Rest Period Backbulbs may shrivel but those with leaf should not; you do not have to water on a humid cloudbathed tropical mountain.' A70-535 0
PSEUDOBULBS: Twisted Bulbs on Cattleyas These can develop for no apparent reason, except that water lodging in immature growths may be the cause. A85-832 0
PSEUDOBULBS: Wrinkled Back bulbs three to four years old show the natural aging process; it is hastened by over-watering and poor cultural practices. A78-309 0

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