Bloom Watch - Black Pearl

[Roberta]

Spikes are naturally pendant... but they can be large and heavy. Sometimes on this type of inflorescence I will use a small wire stake with a "U-shaped" bend at the end just to support it at the edge of the pot, to ensure that it doesn't break from its own weight. But for direction, let it go where it wants to go.

[My Green Pets]

I'd say just give it lots of room and let it do its thing. Probably will need to put another pot under it to lift it up so the spikes don't touch the ground. That's gonna be a whole lotta After Dark!

[Clawhammer]

Progress

[IMG]unnamed (34) by Eric, on Flickr[/IMG]

[Clawhammer]

[IMG]unnamed (36) by Eric, on Flickr[/IMG]

[Clawhammer]

Coming along nicely apart from one spike that got hung up when unfurling and lost a few buds.

I've counted 3 times and its between 75-82 buds

[IMG]unnamed (40) by Eric, on Flickr[/IMG]

[DirtyCoconuts]

ROCK ON!!!

[Bayard]

I love the anticipation - good growing!

[Dorchid]

[WaterWitchin]

I am exquisitely aware of patience with orchids. Having said that...

Hurry Up!!

[Clawhammer]

Here is the overdue update: Thrips attacked this plant and only 12 or so buds made it to bloom.

Fast forward 1 year and I still have thrips in my growroom but i have figured out how to isolate and treat a plant while in spike in order to have a normal bloom.

This year I have 91 flowers on 6 spikes. Whole house smells like sweet black pepper.

[IMG]Untitled by Eric, on Flickr[/IMG]

Here is an idea that totally worked I wanted to share for when your new growth is significantly above the soil line. I cut the top off a nursery pot and used it to raise the elevation of the soil line.

[IMG]Untitled by Eric, on Flickr[/IMG]