Prosthechea cochleata

[OrchidBro]

I got this one last year already in spike. It bloomed one little flower and then started sending out a new growth. The new growth is nearly twice the size of the previous growth and the first flower just opened. More buds on their way.

[neophyte]

congratulations! I love those little alien flowers. does it have a fragrance?

[DirtyCoconuts]

So cool

[OrchidBro]

Originally Posted by neophyte

does it have a fragrance

It does but I can't really describe it. I've heard others describe it's fragrance as that of cat urine but I don't have any cats nor have I ever had an inclination to smell a cats pee to compare it with. Anyways, I don't find the smell off putting but it also doesn't make me want to smell it all the time.

[Roberta]

These are wonderful! Once they get going, spikes can keep popping out new flowers (as the old ones age) for months. That more than makes up for less-than-stellar fragrance.

[Leafmite]

Congratulations!

[OrchidBro]

Thank you!

Roberta - I had read they are sequential bloomers which is why the flower spike on the old growth is still there. Plus, I fall into the category of people who don't cut spikes until they are dead.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by OrchidBro

Thank you!

Roberta - I had read they are sequential bloomers which is why the flower spike on the old growth is still there. Plus, I fall into the category of people who don't cut spikes until they are dead.

Maybe, but there are plenty of types where the spike stays green for weeks or even months even though there aren't going to be any more flowers (like the Oncidium group) I don't cut spikes either unless I can't stand them or they're in the way, figuring that the plant can use that tissue and moisture (or maybe has some other reason for keeping it that isn't obvious to me but who am I to argue with Mother Nature?) But Psh. cochleata doesn't leave any doubt. I have two in bloom now that started in late September, that are still going strong and probably have another 2 months or so before they finish. And one other plant that typically starts around the end of May and goes until August or early September. (Why the difference in timing? No idea...) I try to take them to society meetings when they first get going, while I can still get them into the car... toward the end the spike is too long!

[DirtyCoconuts]

looking at these flowers makes me hungry

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

looking at these flowers makes me hungry

Calamari?