Paph. helenae

[lori.b]

First bloom for this little sweetie. I've had it for four years and it struggled quite a bit in the beginning. I nearly tossed it but I'm so glad I didn't. It was worth the wait.

 

[GuRu]

Very nice, the little kid of your family. I never would toss such a kid and luckily you didn't do it, too.

 

[merc]

the struggle is real! what did you change about the way you kept helenae? mine are alive, but would love to learn the secret to convincing them to bloom.

 

[lori.b]

the struggle is real! what did you change about the way you kept helenae? mine are alive, but would love to learn the secret to convincing them to bloom.

Honestly, I mostly just persevered. It was such a tiny little thing that barely took up any space at all and I didn't have the heart to throw it out. It had been growing in fir bark originally and I noticed once I switched it to Orchiata it began to grow better so maybe it was happier in the Orchiata. Other than that I keep it on the bottom shelf of the light stand right in the middle where it gets really good light.

 

[Don I]

I love these little guys. I keep mine the same, bottom shelf in the middle. It was a big lttle plant when I got it four years ago and had flowered numerous times. I was nervous about it, but it has proven to be a nice plant to handle so far.
Don

 

[Guldal]

Wonderfull, deeply coloured (if one can judge from the photo) - definately a keeper. And congrats on your life saving effort turning out succesful!

 

[Karp60]

Nice petit flower, certainly worth the waiting.

 

[Greenpaph]

Oh! How's lovely

 

[Duck Slipper]

Interesting, and a small showpiece!

 

[DrLeslieEe]

Love the urn it’s in!

 

[NYEric]

Nice. Thanks for sharing.

 

[NEslipper]

Great color on this one! I'm trying "benign neglect" with mine, perhaps if I ignore it for a while, it will finally do something. You've given me hope! Nice growing!

 

[lori.b]

Thanks everyone. I'm liking this little cutie more and more each time I look at it. I think I will have to find a friend for it, perhaps an alba variety. "Benign neglect" seems to be the answer to getting it to bloom.