Finally.....My Mexi blooms!

I got this division of Mexipedium xerophyticum 'Windy Hill' HCC/AOS as a 2 growth plant with no roots and very soft, wrinkled foliage back in February 2008. I didn't realize at the time that it did not have a single live root! I broke it in two (the connecting rhizome was dead) and tried to baby the two pieces back to life. One piece survived; but, it didn't advance after it got a couple roots going. It would grow a small leaf and lose a leaf. After about 2 to 2 1/2 years it was still a small, single growth with no new starts and it was not any larger in leaf span.

Then, I learned on this forum that I should repot it into a more terestrial mix (less gravel), water more (keep moist) and give it more heat and light. So, last fall I repotted it and moved it to the warmest, brightest corner of the greenhouse. About 2 months later I noticed a stolon with a new growth on the end poking out of the new mix. Plus, about 2 or 3 months after that, I noticed it sending up this flower spike! It's so cute(!) and tiny! MY camera had a lot of difficulty handling this one. That's a 4 1/2" pot the plant is in. I've seen other people's divisions of this same clone that are much bigger and impressive; but, for now, I'm happy. I suspect this single flower will be all I get and then the spike will dry out. However, considering the time of year, that's not so bad, as it can then make the most of the summer season to put on more growth.

Om., what a delicate beauty!!!! Jean

Very nice. Good save.

Wow that is a tiny plant, mine should be blooming. Thanks for sharing, very cute.

Neat! Good save.

Nice John! That pencil is much better then a cigarette!

Aww! Cute.

Thank you all....and especially, thank you to everyone who shared their cultural information for this species to help me become successful with this plant.

SlipperKing said:

Nice John! That pencil is much better then a cigarette!

Click to expand...

LOL! Having not ever been a smoker, I had no idea that cigs could be different sizes. I suppose a pencil can be too; but, this is pretty obviously a standard, run of the mill, common as dirt, HB pencil. So, I think it makes a good universal size comparison example. The thing that got me most is that the flower is not much bigger than the little eraser at the top!:rollhappy:

Wonderful! Must get another one of these!

:clap::clap: Cute as can be! :drool::drool:
You're getting my hopes up, is it a new leaf on mine???? or ......

Great results!

It looks so cute.

it looks very close to paph visually more than Phrag.
could it be crossed with Paphiopedilum???

Congratulations are in place here!

Well done

Spectacular! I need to get mine to bloom one of these days...

poozcard said:

it looks very close to paph visually more than Phrag.
could it be crossed with Paphiopedilum???

Click to expand...

As far as I know, it does not cross with Paphs or Phrags. 'Wish it would!

John M said:

Thank you all....and especially, thank you to everyone who shared their cultural information for this species to help me become successful with this plant.

Click to expand...

I can't believe you fell for that crap we made up....and then it worked anyway!!!:wink:oke::wink:

Actually John you've posted some great inspirational plant come-backs. Great growing:clap::clap:

Rick said:

I can't believe you fell for that crap we made up....and then it worked anyway!!!:wink:oke::wink:

Actually John you've posted some great inspirational plant come-backs. Great growing:clap::clap:

Click to expand...

LOL! Aw, don't tell me that....ignorance is bliss,you know! :wink:
Thanks for the compliment.

very nice, and congratulations!

This is just lovely!
Congrats...what a great payoff for all your hard work!

You guys have done it now. Made me get one again. This will be my first slipper since moving. The neos are doing so well, and I think it will do well here with me, if I can remember to fertilize it. I'm so excited to be back!!