Emerging bloom spike on Brassavola Little Stars?

[Claire25]

Hi all,

I apologize for the poor quality pics, but I was wondering if someone could tell me whether the new growth on my Brassavola Little Stars is a beginning bloom spike or not. I have another Brassavola hybrid (Rhynchovola Jiminey Cricket) that's definitely going to flower soon, but from a "normal-looking" Cattleya-like sheath...so no problem there with identifying what it is.

So, will it be flowers? Or some kind of wonky leaf growth?

Thanks!
Claire

EDIT: The second photo is of the whole plant (with flash!) and the growth in question is the one from the leaf pointing to about 11:00

[gnathaniel]

Hmmm...kind of looks like you're just getting a double leaf and not a bloom spike (yet). Sorry! In my experience Brassavolas occasionally put out two leaves per growth rather than the usual one. You might still get a spike on this growth once the leaves develop more.

AFAIK for this hybrid the bloom spikes should look pretty similar to what you see on your Jimminey Cricket. Don't despair, though, your plant looks very healthy and I bet you'll see some blooms pretty soon!

--Nat

[Claire25]

Thanks, Nat! It did look a little strange to be a flower spike...oh well! But I've only had the plant for about half a year, so I'm not too antsy for flowers yet.

[Claire25]

Just an update--Nat was right; I had a double leaf forming (I've since had to stake that particular growth, because the extra leaf kept wanting to flop over at its base. Too low light here in the winter for sturdy growth). HOWEVER, just as the new leaf was elongating an actual bloom spike finally did form (on another growth)! So lovely...my first Brassavola flower...had a Jiminey Cricket about to bloom last month but the cat knocked it over, crushing the bud. Gotta wait til next year on that one and enjoy this one in the mean time!

[CTB]

They have such a sweet delicate flower, hope you get one soon.

[gnathaniel]

Nice work, Claire! Little Stars is a great hybrid. Sorry about your Jimminey Cricket, that's frustrating to lose a bud. I bloomed one of those last year but ended up getting rid of it because the flower was 'floppy' in shape and the fragrance got very overpowering in my house at night (yours will likely be different, there's a lot of variation). I've got a Rhynchovola David Sander (Rhyncholaelia digbyana x Brassavola cucullata) getting close to bloom size, I hope I like the fragrance better...

--Nat