The following experiments/observations in regards to the following Cymbidium Orchids were started September of 2020 – August 20th 2024. I was re-potting and dividing cymbidiums. I noticed that some bulbs were fresh firm and green. Some other bulbs developed a “skin” and “hair” fibers around them. Also, the green firm bulbs did not have the “black mold” looking spots. But they did have white particles at the bottom. Sometimes I have noticed a white “moldish” fuzz down in the roots. I have noticed ants carrying these particles away. The bulbs and fronds remain healthy and productive. I wonder is this some sporing method between the bulbs? Are there male and female bulbs? Once the bulb is fertilized via blooms, the bulb will look wrinkled in appearance, maybe tryin g to dry out on it’s own to dry the spore into a white powdery substance. Phalaenopsis is obvious when the spore stem/sac has formed. Cymbidiums, not quite so much.
Cymbidium Micros
Figure 1 (Above): Cymbidium “Sprout” that back bulbed. This “back sprout” is approx 2 years old.
Figure 2 (Above): Cymbidium “Sprout” next to DMV pencil for size comparison.
Figure 3 above depicts 2 failed Cymbidium Micro bulbs. Bulb on the left is approx 1/4 inch (presently). The long bulb on the right was made to grow that way through binding, approx 3 inches.
Figure 4 above shows Cymbidium Micro bulb (1/2 inch tall) right before failure due to environment too tropical, humid, hot. The bulb had started out green with 3 white terrestrial roots and 3 fronds.
New Micro Cymbidium Shoot
Figure 4A & 4B are 2 different angles of the latest micro shoot, just sprouted (visible) August 20th. Shoot is depicted with a “cigar bush” flower for size reference. It looks like a Hyacinth sprout, but actually is a Cymbidium. This bulb is growing like a green onion (purposefully altered ). I am also trying to replicate the “Micro Bulb” again, in which the Cymbidium bulb is an exact replica of a full size bulb but is approx 1/32 of a natural size bulb.
Full size Cymbidium during bloom……….after bloom
Figure 5 (Left) depicts full size Cymbidium & bloom (approx 4 inches wide)
Figure 6 (Bottom) Same group cut back. Some fronds 1/2 -1 inch wide on older bulbs.
Also, bulbs depicted at left, next to DMV pencil, (Figure 6) are 4-6 inches tall, approx. 6-7 inches circumference at the widest part of the bulb
Cymbidium Dwarf
Figure 7: Growth of 3 bulbs over 4 years.
Figure 8: Close up Dwarf 1 back bulbing. Longest frond 8 inches.
Figure 9: Dwarf 2, 4 years of growth. Longest frond 6 inches. (My Favorite)
Figure 10: Dwarf 3 re-shooting after shoot failure.
4 Petal Phalaenopsis (3 sepals)
The Phalaenopsis at right [figure 11] bloomed February of 2023. From the side of my eye I saw the bloom bulb “pop”, and the bloom stem wobbled so slightly!. The room at evening time was very dim and soothing. Also I purposefully played classical music frequently, and fertilized 2x mo. The bloom is third from the end, and I think it was also 3rd from the tip. So the usual 5 (2) petals (3) sepals are there, as well as 2 squarish petals? that have grown between the two front horizontal rounded petals and the top vertical sepal, causing the top sepal to be almost completely obscured. Also the coloration and orientation of these square petals seems to stay right in pattern with the rest of the bloom. The spots radiate diagonally in opposite directions down the center of each petal/sepal, starting from the column, radiating outward down the center, to the farthest point of each petal/sepal.Strangely, I had tried to draw some “pansy” orchids and had mistakenly drawn one with 7 “petals”, but realized the mistake and changed it….Hmmmm. I don’t know why this happened, only 1 bloom developed that way. Almost looks like the other bloom is “Peeping” out from behind
Micro Rose
Figure 12 [Left]. 2 micro roses I sprouted from regular rose seeds. These 2 of 4 lived. Bottom fuller plant is 7 months, after wilting once. The top plant is 3 months. They dry out quickly, and wilt easy if not ventilated properly. These two over wilted while I was at work. An all day strong beam of summer sun took them out.
Mini rose bloom from a shoot pulled off a root ball in March 2024. The slip was grown in a constant humid/soaked “Bog” terrarium planter, which supportsa butterfly plant, mini calthea, micro ficus, moss & fern “sporelings” This photo August 6th 2024. As of today, Aug, 28 ’24, I have a 2nd bloom on this “mini” also this bloom is growing seeds in the hips now. I think they will micro well.
Sunflower Study
Seeds of the four Figure 17 (Top)
Above are the seeds of : Figure 15 x 2 (plants) | Figure 14 x 1 (plants) Figure 16 x 1 (plants). Initially Figure 18 [Lifesize left] are what all the seed APPEARED to be, just at a glance. All the seeds DID start at the same size.
When I trimmed the inflorescence of the ray florets and the involucre, the remaining discs of the small sunflowers [figures 14 & 15] were all approx 2 inches diameter. The micro sunflower [figure 16] florets bloomed slightly malformed as a “bonnet”. Grown in a 3 inch pot. Also produced 3 micro seeds.
Top left: Figure 14 seeds; black/striped, largest: 1/2 in long-1/4 inch wide. 1 of 3 grown in 2 gallon pot.
Top center: Figure 15 seeds, white & brown stripes,3/16 wide & 1/4 inch long. 2 of 3 grown in 2 gallon pot
bottom center, Figure 15 seeds, blackish. 5/16 long 1/8 inch wide. 3 of 3 grown in 2 gallon pot
Top right: Figure 16 seeds. 3 dark brown,1/16 inch wide 1/4 inch long. Grown in 3 inch pot.
Seeds will be striated & planted next spring.
Ferns
Maiden Hair / Birds Nest / Alligator/ Cotton Candy / Boston / Heart/ Asparagus / Button / Silver Lace /