Inobulbun munificum

[L I Jane]

I've had this for years & had just about given up on it ever blooming ( bought Jan 1997).No one that I ever contacted seemed to know anything about it so I was thrilled when I found 2 spikes forming this year!

[L I Jane]

Here is just the base of the plant.The pseudobulbs are surrounded by this stiff ,wirey 'hair'.

[L I Jane]

This is a closer look at the flower

[prem]

Jane,
that is a neat plant, all around. At least it forms "hairs" from the remains of the leaf veins. My Clowesia rosea forms "thorns" from the way the leaves break off...they can really hurt when you're trying to remove a rotting backbulb.

---Prem

[Heather]

That is wild! It never ceases to amaze me how many varied types of wonderful and sometimes weird orchids there are!

[Paphraguy]

Wow, that plant is amazing! I have never seen hairy bulbs before and at first I thought the plant was planted in coconuts! You must be very proud of that plant especially when its a species! Flowers are beautiful too. I'm so impressed with your unusual plant, I give you full 5 stars.

[OrchidTraci]

WOW, that was worth the wait. You have inspired me to not retire any plants that haven't bloomed for me. I guess when they are ready, they will bloom.

[L I Jane]

Here is what I learned tonight from a friend.
Endemic to New Caledonia, this fascinating plant weaves a "basket" around
its pseudobulbs at maturity. Arching, pendant, 18" [50 cm] long,
inflorescence emerge from the base and branch out with many flowers about
the size of a 50 cent piece. Grows warm to cool with moderate light. Often
blooms twice a year.
I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for it to bloom 2x in a year since it took so long to bloom once
As far as blooming from the base--take a look at the 2nd picture & you can see the spike started higher on the bulb.

[PAGrower]

I haven't seen anything that strikingly unusual in a long time, Jane. You might want to consider having it judged if you are close to one of the AOS centers. I wouldn't be surprised if the judges went batty over it.

[LJA]

Jane, I agree. It's definitely worth the trip to a judging center. Great job growing it, and nice show of patience!