finally seeing some activity!!
It's been a while since I have posted on the progress on some of my favorite orchids. My collection has grown to about thirty orchids, five different species. I'm starting to understand which orchids like me and which orchids squeel in horror when brought home. I seem to have phals down the best (no surprise). Next, surprisingly enough, are my Brassia (i have three) which have thrived in my little apartment. Though I haven't earned any new spikes on my Brassias, I have seen some really impressive root growth and more leads then I can count. So here's hoping that one day they will realize that blooming is part of the cycle too. I'm doing ok with my oncidium (tiger claw i believe) though sadly, in a moment of complete ignorance, I plucked off my first earned spike thinking it was a bit of potting medium stuck between leaves. So here are a few pics of the activity in the bunker. Hope you enjoy!
The first is a noid phal. It is white with pink speckles all over the petals. This baby bloomed continuously for a fill year last time! I was actually surprised to see it send out a spike so soon. It stopped blooming only about four months ago. The second is my favorite orchid. No frills. Just a noid white phal with pretty big blooms (maybe four inches across). This one also bloomed continuously for about nine months before taking a break. These are my first earned spikes on these two plants. The white phal is by far my healthiest plant. I find myself looking at the roots more than anything else. I repotted her into a basket right after I bought her, and ever since her roots have just gone nutty, poking around corners and through open spaces. And they are always so green and plump! She makes me feel like a real orchid grower! Can you spot the tiny spike in pic 3? The fourth pic is my brassia rex 'tohoma' who I purchased about a year ago for a pretty penny. If I can earn a spike on this plant I will be ecstatic. The blooms are about a foot long from bow to stern. in a word...they're ENORMOUS! But no spike to far. However, in the last six weeks this girl has put out five massive leads. They might be hard to distinguish in this picture. I'll post more pics of her in a reply. Every pseudobulb that was there when I bought the plant now has a lead that is just as big, if not bigger than the mother bulb. I hope this is a good indication. Surely it is. Also, thanks to brutal dreamer for instructing me on repotting this monster. She loves her basket. Ok, more to come.
kitty
Reply With Quote
