paph spicerianum (the real spice-no hybrids here!)
I have to give this plant credit - the mealybugs attack this plant and it keeps on going and flowering! I recently used both some imidacloprid-based spray (one that's labeled for houseplant use) and the neem oil to smother them. Also about the same time I gave it some epsom salts, and it's responded by putting out two flower buds! (there's another low bud on another growth) This plant has had larger flowers and spikes, but when the whole plant was a lot larger. I'll keep spraying it with neem, here and do a repotting. Maybe use some hydrogen peroxide as that did a pretty good job on some plants a while back.
Anyway, this plant is from Rice's Orchids and has always had nice flowers. I'm showing it in these pics with it's cousin phrag incan treasure as a backdrop (I was too lazy to move the big plant before taking these pics - don't worry, the two plants aren't touching (jumping bugs))
whole plant view - note new bud to the right of mature spike
I like the raspberry tint that this flower has! (and the previous flowers)
eric m., I remember your mentioning that you don't seem to have good luck with both spicerianum and delenatii? (or maybe just delenatii) I've read in culture sheets that both like to have somewhat airy media though moist. both my delenatii and spicerianum are in fairly airy media and can get somewhat dry between waterings. even though the delenatii is in chc's, I don't water very often and there is plenty of time between waterings and the media is only lightly tucked around the roots. besides the mealies on the spice, both plants seem to thrive despite my advanced beginner status with slippers. they aren't in a greenhouse setting so never get really warm, so probably don't get a lot of moisture stress (just a thought) so that the light media may be a key
I have to give this plant credit - the mealybugs attack this plant and it keeps on going and flowering! I recently used both some imidacloprid-based spray (one that's labeled for houseplant use) and the neem oil to smother them. Also about the same time I gave it some epsom salts, and it's responded by putting out two flower buds! (there's another low bud on another growth) This plant has had larger flowers and spikes, but when the whole plant was a lot larger. I'll keep spraying it with neem, here and do a repotting. Maybe use some hydrogen peroxide as that did a pretty good job on some plants a while back.
Anyway, this plant is from Rice's Orchids and has always had nice flowers. I'm showing it in these pics with it's cousin phrag incan treasure as a backdrop (I was too lazy to move the big plant before taking these pics - don't worry, the two plants aren't touching (jumping bugs))
whole plant view - note new bud to the right of mature spike
I like the raspberry tint that this flower has! (and the previous flowers)
eric m., I remember your mentioning that you don't seem to have good luck with both spicerianum and delenatii? (or maybe just delenatii) I've read in culture sheets that both like to have somewhat airy media though moist. both my delenatii and spicerianum are in fairly airy media and can get somewhat dry between waterings. even though the delenatii is in chc's, I don't water very often and there is plenty of time between waterings and the media is only lightly tucked around the roots. besides the mealies on the spice, both plants seem to thrive despite my advanced beginner status with slippers. they aren't in a greenhouse setting so never get really warm, so probably don't get a lot of moisture stress (just a thought) so that the light media may be a key
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