John M
Orchid Addict
This started out as a seedling given to Wendy by a friend about 10 years ago. About 2007, Wendy divided the plant and gave me a chunk. Mine is the first of the two pieces to bloom. It's been blooming size for a couple years; but, this is it's first bloom. For the first time, it produced two new growths, not just one.....and one of them developed a flower spike. I expected more flowers; but, it only made 2 buds. Hopefully, that will improve with future bloomings. I think I haven't kept it cool or dry enough in the winter; so, I'm lucky to get any flowers at all. There is still one healthy leaf clinging to the pseudobulb from the summer of 2009 and all the leaves are still on last year's pseudobulb. I think it's supposed to lose all it's foliage and rest before initiating new growth and blooming in late winter/early spring. The first flower to open closed up only 3 days later. It never fully opened. I think the heat way up in the rafters of the greenhouse was just too much for it. Once that occurred to me, I brought the plant down to where the temps are more moderate. The second flower opened up more and continues to look good. The texture is "slipery"/waxy and the substance is THICK and HARD. The flower is about 3 1/2" across; so, a whole bunch of these would look really good....and smell awesome!
