John M
Orchid Addict
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.
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.