Broken Spike on Monnierara Millennium Magic "Witchcraft"

[Katherine]

Sorry for your break. I don't re-pot if a plant is in spike because if it is in spike it is happy, and also I don't leave myself open to breaking it while re-potting.

[dlbush]

Just wanted to update you guys. The new spike that formed is growing rapidly. The plant is still kind of lopsided, so I'm trying to avoid my toddler/cat/dog/husband knocking it over and breaking the new spike again. Fingers crossed for black flowers this year...

[ksriramkumar]

wishing the best Di. keeping fingers crossed for you

[Cntry]

I can't wait to see it bloom for you.

[dlbush]

Ok, so this guy finally bloomed for me a couple of weeks ago after I (unintentionally) put it through hell and back. I had no idea what the lower temperature tolerance for this plant is, but apparently it's somewhere in the mid-50s, when it is trying to bloom, that is. My original spike had nearly a dozen buds on it, but after a few nights in the mid-50s about a month ago, the growing tip of the spike began to die off and my buds fell off one by one. I was so disappointed, with all the ups and downs that came from the spike breaking and growing back again. But finally, I did get four blooms. Not much, but I'll take them.

And for those who are curious, these flowers definitely have a scent. It's a spicy ginger type of smell that is only perceptible if your nose is near the flowers. It also secretes a sweet-tasting sap (I admit that I tasted it) that drove the ants crazy when the plant was living outdoors.



Edited to change all mentions of the word "stem" to "spike" because derp.

[78Terp]

Very pretty!

It is a learning process for all of us. Next year you know what not to do. Like breaking the spike! I have my dendrobiums wintering in my semi-heated garage. You may have heard about the frigid temps Denver has been experiencing, my night time garage temps reached 48 F. I was aiming and am achieving 60 F during the day. Hopefully, that is not too cold for them. Time will tell.

[kspalding]

I would still be vigilant ants are attracted to honey dew from orchids but they can be a red flag for infestation as well. I would say if the plant looks healthy and the new growth doesn't appear to be recieving damage (usually curly tips are an indicator of bugs) then your plant is fine.

[dlbush]

LOL! I hope that we all know that breaking spikes = VERY VERY BAD without needing to actually go through the process of doing it.

As far as temperature, Alabama is not nearly as cold as Colorado, but these last few nights have been in the 20s and 30s. I moved all of my plants back indoor right around Halloween and have been harassing my husband to build me more window shelving for all the new acquisitions.

Very pretty!

It is a learning process for all of us. Next year you know what not to do. Like breaking the spike! I have my dendrobiums wintering in my semi-heated garage. You may have heard about the frigid temps Denver has been experiencing, my night time garage temps reached 48 F. I was aiming and am achieving 60 F during the day. Hopefully, that is not too cold for them. Time will tell.

[kspalding]

I use to live in Pinson/Centerpoint area of Alabama. Their summers are similar to ours here but the winters do seem to get a bit colder. I remember the first winter I was there sleet covered the roads and I swear everyone panicked like we were having a natural disaster. I worked at a grocery store at the time and everyone came in stocking up on canned foods, water, and toilet paper. Being naturally from Ohio and knowing what extreme winters are like I couldn't stop laughing my boss almost had to send me home.

[dlbush]

Funny you should say that, I live in Trussville. I'm actually a Canuck who has been gradually moving further and further south (Montreal to NY to Alabama). The first winter I was here (last year) we were hit by a "snowstorm" (a sprinkling of snow, less than 1 inch accumulation) and it was pandemonium. People were emptying store shelves of bread and milk (why?) and I was trapped at work in Birmingham overnight because all the accidents and abandoned cars had blocked most roads, making it impossible to travel back home. Granted, it was a bit different than snow storms we get up north, because the snow had melted and re-froze into a thick sheet of ice, making it a challenge to drive, but it was the ineptitude of the drivers who just decided to completely abandon any existing road rules who made the commute home impossible.

I use to live in Pinson/Centerpoint area of Alabama. Their summers are similar to ours here but the winters do seem to get a bit colder. I remember the first winter I was there sleet covered the roads and I swear everyone panicked like we were having a natural disaster. I worked at a grocery store at the time and everyone came in stocking up on canned foods, water, and toilet paper. Being naturally from Ohio and knowing what extreme winters are like I couldn't stop laughing my boss almost had to send me home.