What is this thing growing from my epi?

[JOHNnDC]

Gang, I'd posted this is another forum which, silly me, rarely gets me the quick and informative answers you guys do, so, belatedly, here goes :-)

I've had my little Epi Elfin for almost a year now and it hasn't done squat. No growth, nothing. All it's done is slowly lose most of its leaves to this very strange black fungus-looking leaf thing that I've mentioned here before to you guys.

Well, there was this little pseudobulb looking thing next to the newest PB, doing nothing since I got the plant, and now all of a sudden it's opening up and growing something or some things. What in God's name is this thing doing? I've not seen any of my other orchids grow like this - is this how a new PB grows, or what is it growing? LOL

Thanks, JOHN

[LJA]

Looks like it's trying to grow another little plantlet, to me. I'm not sure if Epi's are known for producing keikis, but it sure looks like one. As long as it's green, and it's growing, you're in good shape! I'm curious to see what it'll turn into in a few months...

[JOHNnDC]

That's an interesting point about it possibly being a keiki. This thing has been troubled from day one. Losing its leaves to some strange fungus running through the veins, stalling for a year now, and when I repotted it into s/h it was difficult to tell if any of the roots were good - certainly there were no new roots that I could see. Perhaps it is in fact a keiki then - though interestingly, the old bulbs are still there and not shriveling, so I'd be surprised if the roots were in that bad of shape.

Anyway, I promise to report back on what this thing becomes, assuming it doesn't take me away in m sleep.

[cattlover]

i saw that post

i also posted mine in the same forum...hahaha

[JOHNnDC]

Well, while I adore the people in that "other forum," this forum responds to questions MUCH more quickly.

[Dana]

John, that pic of your plant reminds me of a scene in the movie Aliens, it looks like one of those eggs before it spits a baby alien out.

I'll shut up now

[Heather]

John, that pic of your plant reminds me of a scene in the movie Aliens, it looks like one of those eggs before it spits a baby alien out.

I'll shut up now

Yucko! ~ Great movie, disgusting scene...now I'll go back to bed and have nightmares! Thanks Dana!

ps - you're right!

[JOHNnDC]

Dana, it's funny but that is EXACTLY what I was thinking when I saw it - it looks like the exploding Alien egg (or worse)

[cattlover]

that movie rocked

[Dana]

John,

I haven´t been able to put that "thing" out of my mind!
Has it grown anything since you posted that pic?

Greetz,
Dana