New spike and more surprises at unboxing!

[Optimist]

I found yet another flowering spike on my salvaged Odontonia 'Lavender Lady.' Oddly enough it is coming from an older more shriveled pseudo bulb, lending credence to what I heard about re-spiking bulbs maybe. I am very happy about this because it is proof that I am learning how to "not kill" orchids!

I told myself I was not going to buy any more 3$ orchids at big box stores, so when my recent birthday came around, I ordered a few plants-- I chose Larry's Orchids because his orchids were still inexpensive and I do not really trust myself to by a 30 dollar orchid yet.

Today I got the shipment of plants. Good condition and so on-- I won't get into a review. I mentioned the place because they have an "ugly duckling" or "orphan" orchid program where you get a plant of their choosing for an additional $5.00. Well I jumped for the bait and got 2 "ugly ducklings."

Orphan 1) a Masdevallia Copper Angle 'Highland.' Sorry to say not my cup of tea. The humidity requirements will kill it soon. It also has some kind of leaf rust or something. They look like random burn drops like it was sprayed with strong fertilizer or something. So although it was a surprise, I was not totally thrilled, and yet also bizarrely thrilled.

Orphan 2) A Spathoglottis 'Grape Swirl.' This is an unusual one. Larry's does not even sell this plant. I know only what I read 10 minutes ago. It is a terrestrial Orchid. It grows wild places in places like Indonesia. It likes a deep pot, has a robust root system, can grow outside, likes both bright and low light, likes to be dry more than wet. It is very susceptible to salt damage.

So those are the Orphan surprises.

The ones I ordered: I got an Oncidium "twinkle" Pink Profusion. I had NO idea this was such a tiny plant! It was actually the healthiest looking orchid I received today. Very plump tiny bulbs, and 2 itty bitty flower spikes nearly completely developed. I went back to look at the picture and saw it was indeed a miniature. Why did I think it would be larger? I hope I do not just "forget" it since it is so small.

Lastly, I received a Miltassa Shelob 'Tolkien' The bulbs were a bit shriveled, and no spikes, but it is putting out a new pseudo bulb growth, so it is growing, and it had some decent roots. I already re-potted that since it was just putting out new growth.

I got a miltassa because I figured since I am having some good luck with odontonia, they have at least something in common.

I got these two because they were supposed to be "easy care."

I think the problem child will be the mastivallia. I am dragging out my terrarium again.

Thanks for letting me jabber.

[reliablefool]

Oh dear...I shouldn't have read your post because now I'm making an order and adding ugly ducklings and the price just went up by an additional 50%...so much for budgeting! Hehe. Now...do I actually go through with it and checkout? Hmmm.

Funny that you and another forum member posted that your ugly duckling was Spathoglottis 'Grape Swirl' on the same day.

[kindrag23]

Hey,, I just got a grape swirl as well!!! great grab. Flowers should be super pretty!!! How are you going to plant yours?

I did mine in a potting soil with extra perlite and lava rock.

When they said an ugly duck program I truly felt like it would be an ugly phal!!!! lol, so so so glad I was not disapointed.

[RandomGemini]

I was looking at orchids on there just now and my husband came in and said, "No more orchids!" and I blinked at him and said, "What!? But they have ugly ducklings!"

I explained that ugly duckling orchids are orchids that nobody wants, because they aren't pretty and have no blooms and that they need someone to love them.

He wasn't impressed LOL!

I would like to try a Masdie, this sounds like it would be a fun way to get some plants you might not try otherwise.

[kindrag23]

Me and Masdevallia do not get along. To hot to dry...even in a betta bowl....and it is a very cool surprise.

[Optimist]

Ordering things you don't know much about 101 I guess. Oh well, I loved the experience and I would do it again-- hopefully another big oncidium next time please.

Kindrag, since I don't know much about them I will pot them the way they say, a deep pot (since they seem so small any pot is deep). I hear they grow and spread so I am up for a 4 inch pot. I understand all this "root bound" business, but still orchids grow on trees and in the ground, they are not ever "root bound"

I am also happy they were not phals, but a masdavalia seems to want even more humidity than a phal. Hope I don't kill it.

[LadySoren]

Is it as big (tall) as it is going to get? Can you post a picture next to your hand or a ruler or 2 Liter bottle or something? I am very curious and might have to add to my collection. Haha

Fragrant?