Laelia superbiens finally deciding to spike

[smweaver]

Originally Posted by ewcia1028

Steve ,my only worry is that your spike is so brown,mine was never brown,all the time green,are you sure is alive and growing?

Well, I sure hope it's alive. But no, I'm not positive that it is. It's producing a lot of some sort of sticky substance at the tip--almost like sap in its consistency. I am able to gently feel what appear to be buds within the top three inches of the spike. The spike appears (to my eyes at least) to be red--the same color as the new leaves. But I guess only time will tell whether or not I'll actually see some flowers.

[peeweelovesbooks]

My laelias produce the same sap on the spike. I constantly monitor it to check if it's developing or not.

Sap = bugs = no blooms!

[RobS]

Many orchids produce a sugary substances on the growing shoots and spikes. Still haven't been able to figure out what it's function is but it's not related to bugs I typically find it on my best growing plants.

[smweaver]

The flowers just opened a couple of days ago, so they may not be fully expanded yet. The lip has very pretty ridges that are running down the center, and the dark colors of the blooms are attractive also. The weather is overcast today, so these were the only two photos that came out well (I didn't use the flash since it kept washing out the colors).

Steve

Laelia superbiens | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Laelia superbiens | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[trdyl]

Beautiful! How long did the spike get?

[smweaver]

It only got maybe a couple of inches taller than it was when I first posted pictures. Total spike length is around two feet (far less than I had read it would get--but since this is also the first time that the plant's bloomed in probably a decade, maybe it's out of practice :-).

[peeweelovesbooks]

that's gorgeous!

[trdyl]

Originally Posted by smweaver

It only got maybe a couple of inches taller than it was when I first posted pictures. Total spike length is around two feet (far less than I had read it would get--but since this is also the first time that the plant's bloomed in probably a decade, maybe it's out of practice :-).

The average spike lentgh is what has kept me from trying this one. Only time will tell if this is a normal length for this one. If it is I might have to try a piece.

[johnsaquatics]

I would guess that the spike is red and not brown and it has turned this color due to very high light levels. Also I believe that the sap at the growing tip is a defense mechanism against newly formed plant cells drying out (the newest cells are at the very tip).

[silken]

Wonderful growing and so many flowers! They are lovely. It must be very satisfying to bring something to bloom that hasn't bloomed in years!