What is this HUGE thing?

Okay...weird story about how I got this plant. A friend of a friend gave it to me when she was cleaning out her greenhouse last weekend. She thinks it's a dendrobium but has never seen it bloom (I found some old spikes on it..they're thick like my pinkie and I circled them in red on one picture). I think it's some kind of Schomburgkia as I've never seen a dend with a spike that thick. Also, the leaves grow a little differently as do the p-bulbs. What do you all think?

It's a creature and needs some TLC..but I am quite excited about it...

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I took a taxi from LA to Venus in 1985.

I think you are correct, Clint. Schomb.

Cheers,
BD

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We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors....but they all exist very nicely in the same box. ...Hmmm? .

*GRIN*

I posted this on another board as well. I have two votes for a Schomb and one vote for D. thrysiflorum. Any other takers?

I wish Aaron were around these days. I hope his new baby is doing well.

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I took a taxi from LA to Venus in 1985.

schomb. Wouldn't the spikes come out from the nodes if it were a dendrobium? Not from the tip of the bulb like what I see on your picture.

Good point. I bet you're onto something there...

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I took a taxi from LA to Venus in 1985.

Definitely a schomb, looks like it will be a monster too.
Cib

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This ain't no dress rehearsal

I am sooooooo tempted to divide that one hehehehe.

I might try and get it to strengthen a bit before dividing it. You might want to take a look at the dead stalks and remove them. The plant does basically look healthy, just might need some cleaning. I have used shop paper towels (usually blue, and thicker) and some alcohol to remove build up on the leaves. When was the last time she repotted? There is a lot of plant there for that pot.

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Patrick Adams
Vacherie, LA

Strange that Patrick posted on this earlier this morning. I took some pictures last night and I was going to update you guys...

Of course, I cleaned up the plant and I haven't potted it yet as I was going to wait for roots to start. I'm planning on an 18" pot with lava rock (working on that later this weekend)....

I was really surprised at the number of growths that have formed in the last six weeks. I have ten new leads. The p-bulbs are hollow..which makes me think this plant is Myrmecophilia tibicinis...

The plant is coming along great....I'm slowly moving it to more sun as it started to scorch in higher levels when I first got the plant. The new roots almost form a "beard" around the pseudobulb...really impressive!

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I took a taxi from LA to Venus in 1985.

It looks great. I would really look for a pot that will allow for good ventilation. When dealing with a plant this size, getting air to the middle will be a challenge. You will need a porious medium, and frequent light watering to keep it happy. I wish I had a friend like that. I have never seen an 18" Orchid Pot. I would look for something on the internet. I do not think there are may nurseries that will keep something like that in stock.

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Patrick Adams
Vacherie, LA