A couple Paph questions… about spikes, I think…

[toynutz]

Last month I got a Paph from Ebay and asked about the little shoot growing from the side. As you can see, it’s coming along quite nicely…



And now I have a new question. I think (I hope) it’s producing a bloom spike, but since I’ve never seen the beginnings of one before, I’m not 100% sure that’s what it is. So is this a new leave or, hopefully, a bloom spike? And if it is a bloom spike, is it common for them to bloom when they’re this small (young)?




This next Paph I got at Trader Joes. It’s a cute little Maudie hybrid and is slightly different than my other Maudie hybrid even though they have the same names.



I bought this Paph because I thought it was rather unusual. It might be hard to tell by this pic, but it’s what I would call a “Siamese twin.” It has two separate growth crowns coming from a single stock (I’m not sure if all my terminology is correct here). So is this type of "twin" growth-pattern common in Paphs?



And my last question… which is the same as my first… is this producing a bloom spike on its smaller “twin” half or is it just the beginnings of a new leaf?



Thanks!

[RosieC]

Paphs are sympodial orchids, which means they do have multiple growth points. (Unlike Phals which are monopodial and only have one).

You will find that new flowers come from new growths as they mature. One of my Maudiae has a tiny second growth, my Paph American hybrid currently has four new growhts as well as the original one which has flowered.

I think it is a new leaf growing at the center in your second pic. I've seen quite a few starting like that on my Paphs, but then I've never seen a flower spike starting so I could be mistaken.

My two Maudiae both came in flower, and both are small plants, probably similar size to yours, so I think it's quite possible for your first one to flower.

[RosieC]

Take a look at this thread, and follow through the pics further down. The first pic is a new bud on a Paph hybrid, later pics show it developing and eventually opening.

Paph. Michael Koopowitz

I think a bud is more symetrical in shape than a new leaf.

[billc]

Hi toynutz, picture 2 looks to be a new leaf emerging. Not as exciting as a spike, but still that's great. You can usually tell if it's a spike if the sheath?(area just below where leaf is now coming out) is a bit swollen. Also, if held up to the light you can see a roundish form down between the leaves.
Picture 4 is a new growth. Thats good news! Paphs usually need a new growth before they will flower from the older growth. You may see a flower this year.

Bill

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Are your Paphs grown in full on moss? I don't recommend this. Most Paphs don't grow too many roots and they grow them rather slowly as well. Many Paphs are not bog plants and shouldn't be grown as such (you know, as in growing in full moss). Growing in full on moss will cause root rot in the long run.

Many different kinds of Paphs grow in places like steep limestone cliffs lightly covered in moss and leaf litter. Others are full on epiphytes. While many more grow on forest floors in humus, topsoil, and leaf litter. Then there are others that grow on rotting wood.

[billc]

Here's a shot of a bud before emerging. You can see the shape between the leaves.

Bill