Renanthera and deformed blooms

[Dorsetman]

My Renanthera Manila x phillipinense has produced a spike of smallish deformed flowers although it has flowered well and properly three times before , all in the last 2 to 2 1/2 years. I can see that the latest leaves are that little bit smaller than the ones made when it flowered well, and its getting a bit leggy – although leaved all the way up and down, and with several aerial roots with green tips.
I thought of a simple repot, although the compost looks good, and its not more than 6 months since done – but then, it’s the last 6 months which been the problem I suppose !
The next idea was to take a top cutting from it , including that uppermost of the aerial roots , and hope the bottom would grow on too – but I don’t have quite enough nerve to do that especially with winter approaching with poorer natural light. Latest thought is to knock it out, and wire it to a moss pole , and spray it daily – which it has anyway – but without otherwise watering.
Anyone got any thoughts or advice about this

[zainal abidin]

Repot of the plants always end up with interruption of the normal physiological function of the plants itself and results in small leaves, little flower temporarily stunted the growth of this plants untill everything get into normal than it will back to square one.
If you decided to cut the top plants to me its ok but not now because of cold weather, I can see the healthy roots dangling actually its positve sign if you go on with your initial decision and to get another keikes. Your plant is very healthy and the survival rate I think very high more than 90% .Good luck.

[Dorsetman]

I measured the width of the leaves - which seems to me to be a useful indicator - wider leaves means happy growing, and buds are so long developing before we see them ( see story below) so that poor flowers can mean a problem in the past, whereas good last leaf means happy now. So , so far at least I have funked it. Just cut the spike off, put the plant back, and am carrying on growing.
That little story ; I had an equipment failure in late March - a thermostat failed and stuck in the "heat wanted" position. I was away for a couple of days, and came back to find the heat on and the greenhouse temperature 42 degrees C... Not good.
All kinds of plants show a burn mark across a leaf at a particular place ( I didn't lose more than half a dozen plants out of 2000 in the greenhouse). But I have recently had several paph spikes emerge quite blasted - brown and dead , although still emerging. I reckon that the buds were at a critical stage, hidden from view in March.

[Cjcorner]

It's amazing the number of things that can ruin a bud. My 'Maikai' had three beautiful buds growing nicely and then our weather changed. I got some malformed flowers from the cold winter last year as well. Now, until the flower is open I try to ignore buds. lol

[Dorsetman]

It's amazing the number of things that can ruin a bud. My 'Maikai' had three beautiful buds growing nicely and then our weather changed. I got some malformed flowers from the cold winter last year as well. Now, until the flower is open I try to ignore buds. lol

My Dad used to say "don't count your chickens until they have hatched". Applies to orchid flowers too, we find !