Offset removal

[Bulbous]

this is my 20 year old Brunsvigia josephinae that over the past 2 yers has developed the offset.  I'd like to remove it but I've never done this to a bulb this big.  If anyone else had done this I'd appreciate any comments.  This is the one that lays its flower spike on the ground

Jim Foster
Santa Barbara

[Uli]

Hello Jim,

Quite honestly, I would not do it. But if you are desperate.....
What I would do in this case: very carefully dig beside the offset, best with bare hands in order to check if the offset has its own roots. If it does not or if you are not sure I would leave it on the mother plant. If the offset has its own roots you could cut the junction very carefully with a sharp knife in order not to injure one of the two bulbs and in order not to severe the roots. Then disentangle the roots of the offset to be able to lift it with as much intact roots as possible and replant immediately.
You could also dig up the whole lot but that would cause much root disturbance.
Good luck!

[CG100]

I've not seen a double-headed Brunsvigia of any species, but have seen a couple of large double-headed Boophone, and the two bulbs shared the same root plate. Whether that persists for the entire life of the bulb(s), I could not say.

[Bulbous]

THANK YOU ULI! I got down on my hands an knees and really checked the offset and as it turned out it is connected to the bulb and apparently does not have a plate of any size.   in addition I found another offset on the opposite side of the mother bulb, same height.  

I have no idea if such a thing occurs in the wild.  THis is also the same mother bulb who's inflorescence grows sideways after emerging.

Jim Foster
Santa Barbara