Aliceara Photo - Photo of Lucky Bamboo

[Zoren]

Good afternoon, let me say that I bought Kelpak and K-Lite, I have bought from Ray before, found his products to be very good, thank you ArronOB for the reminder.
I will be sending 2 photos Aliceara and my Lucky Bamboo. I will address my Aliceara first, It has 3 blooms, and I have a question about the first bloom. It is a little different than the others, it has what I will call 'whiskers' the others do not. I don't think that the last bud is going to bloom, does anyone see what I see and agree that it may not bloom? Can anyone tell me what these whiskers are called and why don't the other blooms have them?
As for my Lucky Bamboo (I call her Vivian after my wife). I've had her since 2011 (a 6" plant), She is 12 years old in 2023 and about 8' tall. I looked up some facts about Lucky Bamboo (they aren't really bamboo plants, they are in the Asparagaceae family). My plant is an indoor plant, from what I've read they usually live about 1-3 years and they only grow to about 1- 3 feet indoors.. I'm very proud of this plant, I know this is an orchid forum, but, I thought all of you would like her. all replies and comments are welcome, I hope you all enjoy the photos, Zoren

[Roberta]

Those "whiskers" look like they may be petals that didn't develop properly. If the rest of the flowers are OK, this could just be a chance mutation.

The so-called "lucky bamboo" can live for a lot more than a couple of years. I have one (small) that has been growing in water surrounded by marbles, for over 10 years. Yours is a beauty!

[Ray]

That is one hell of a bamboo plant in that sized pot!

[aparnamane]

Hi Zoren,

Lucky bamboo really looks verify happy. What kind of potting media it is in? I have one which is growing in water from last 2 years, its also doing good but not that much vigorous growth.

Thanks.

[Zoren]

Thank you, Roberta, I looked closer at the plant and you must be correct because only the top pedal is fully developed the other 4 look like they are mutations not fully formed. Roberta, do you think the last bud will bloom? I have my doubts.

Aparnamane She sits in pebbles and distilled water, I put 1/4 of a teaspoon of fertilizer sometimes weekly, sometimes distilled water only. She is still growing like a weed.

Thank you, Ray I thought of putting her in a larger pot, but she's touching the ceiling and I'm afraid of repotting her. Besides as you all can see she is very, very happy. As you can see the other Culms (branches) are reaching for the ceiling. Thank all of you for your comments, Zoren

[walkerdee]

Its funny that you posted this about your Aliceara. My Tropic Lily 'hilo spaceship' just bloomed. It also has 3 blooms and one of the blooms is missing two pedals.

I also lost 3 or 4 buds as the flower spike was growing.

The labellums look a bit larger than they have in the past. Once I get home I will snap a picture of it and post here.

[Roberta]

The top bud does look like it is going to blast.

Is this the first time blooming for this plant? Sometimes this happens on a first bloom that is OK in subsequent blooms If it has bloomed before, was it normal?

[Zoren]

Roberta, I just purchased this orchid, I can see other pseudobulbs so I think this plant has bloomed before. I can see where there are new pseudobulbs that will be sending out new spikes very soon. I just watered earlier today, with her being indoors and in AC I watch the drying process carefully. Thank you for your comments and interest. I hope your Lucky Bamboo grows as big as mine and stays alive for many more years. I'm looking forward to seeing how much bigger my plant will grow and how much longer she lives. Zoren

[walkerdee]

Here it is

[Roberta]

The next blooming will tell you whether it was a transient environmental problem or whether the plant has a genetic defect. There is, unfortunately, no way that the "waiting" process can be accelerated.