New lowii in high bud and I BROKE THE SPIKE!!!:(

[mauraec]

t


I just got this paph. a few days ago. It was tagged "lowii" in pencil, but I'm really questioning that - it just doesn't look like a lowii to me, although the leaves do. Of course, I was very excited about seeing what it turned out like - and then - DISASTER!!!!!

I knocked it off a table, and the spike broke clean off about halfway down. I put the bud in water to see if I could coax a little more out of it, but that's pretty unlikely. I think it would have been pretty, no matter what it turned out to be. I was wondering if anyone would recognize the bud - but no expectations. No new growth on it yet, so I'll let it rest a little and then try to jump start some new ones.

I can't express how angry and disappointed I am with myself!!!

PS - Bigfoot had nothing to do with this one - he asked me to put that in, just to make sure!

Here are the sad remains....

[Kmac]

I hate when that happens! So, sorry to see this...I think we all know that feeling.

[Daethen]

Why is it that even pictures of your disasters turn out wonderful????

[mauraec]

Thanks, Kathi - I can't believe I'm so heartbroken about this.

[mauraec]

Why is it that even pictures of your disasters turn out wonderful????

Thanks so much - the photos are a small comfort.

[gardenguysorchids]

I also have had this happen and it does make one angry . In your case it may be good for your plant. This is just my opinion and the way I treat a plant of the size you show I do not let it bloom the first time. I let the strength go into the new growth, hopefully growths, and allow it to bloom on the next cycle. I have found my phrags and paphs become stronger plants and give me better blooms this way. From the look of your bud your plant does look to be what you purchased. Hope you get lots of growths and a beautiful bloom next year.

[zainal abidin]

Though the leaves looked like lowii but difficult to comment on the buds itself it can turn anything, anyway dont angry to your self, part of learning process to take care the new buds for the future, now focus the plant and others plants too.

[catttan]

So sorry, Maura. I agree it's heartbreaking especially if you have to wait another season for the next blooms.

[TwoStems]

So sorry to see this! I've done silly things like that too...or coworkers have done it (which makes me more angry). Geoff - how do you prevent your paphs/phrags from blooming? Do you snip the spike? Is there some other way? That's an interesting tactic for stronger, better blooms!

[mauraec]

I also have had this happen and it does make one angry . In your case it may be good for your plant. This is just my opinion and the way I treat a plant of the size you show I do not let it bloom the first time. I let the strength go into the new growth, hopefully growths, and allow it to bloom on the next cycle. I have found my phrags and paphs become stronger plants and give me better blooms this way. From the look of your bud your plant does look to be what you purchased. Hope you get lots of growths and a beautiful bloom next year.

Thanks, Bill! I needed a silver lining here, and you've given me one - and thank for the id - I think it's going to be a good lowii, judging by the colors I can see.