Laelia tenebrosa in bloom, but have questions

[silken]

I was pretty excited this year as my Laelia tenebrosa had 2 spikes and 5 buds in total. That was compared to its first bloom last year of 1 spike 1 bloom.

The spike with 3 buds opened first and I brought it into the house just as they were opening as we have had some really warm temps and the greenhouse was really hot and bright. Those buds were just a bid wavy whereas the other two looked different and were more rounded and darker colour. The first photo is of the 3 that opened first and you can see the remaining two buds on the right. I was not happy to see all the colour break on the petals and they didn't look very nice. Didn't even look like the same colour as last year's bloom (my avatar).

The other pics are the 2 that opened a day or two later. They look like they came from a different plant. The colour is different and there is no colour break.

I am ordering some virus test strips and going to test it. But I was wondering if others have seen that happen when the buds were in too much heat before opening. It seems by bringing it out of the heat into the house, the last two to open were much better.

Also these blooms only lasted a few days, even the 2nd spike. Very disappointing.

I wonder if this is just a poor plant, and do others who bloom tenebrosa get a longer bloom time? I've read that the blooms should last 2 to 3 weeks. I remember last year the flower was finished in a week also.

I'd sure like to hear from others who grow tenebrosas.

[Brooke]

I don't know if the heat could cause it but could water have gotten into the bloom just prior to it opening? It doesn't look like a color break virus to me.

Could there be two plants in the pot?

My tenebrosa last a good four weeks in bloom.

I hope you can figure it out.

Brooke

[silken]

It's comforting to know you don't think it looks like colour break virus. I am going to test it if I can get the immuno strips for ORSV and CMV at least. When I water it is nowhere near the buds. The only thing is the mister may have got moisture on the blooms that it didn't like. I think if it isn't virus (as I will toss if it is), next year I will bring it into the house sooner before the buds open. I wonder if they are heat stressed. Last year it didn't last long either but more than a couple days!

This is a cross from Francisco Miranda of Miranda Orchids so I guess since he is always breeding for better quality, I expect it to be at least average if not better. On the other hand, since it went from 1 bloom to 5 blooms maybe this is still young and has room for improvement. If it isn't virused I will give it space for another year and see.

---------- Post added at 04:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:01 PM ----------

Originally Posted by brooke

I don't know if the heat could cause it but could water have gotten into the bloom just prior to it opening? It doesn't look like a color break virus to me.

Could there be two plants in the pot?

My tenebrosa last a good four weeks in bloom.

I hope you can figure it out.

Brooke

I am sure it isn't two plants as I re-potted it last year after blooming. I can also see the big sturdy rhizome and the growths coming from it so that for sure is not an option. thanks for your input.

[Orchids4ever]

Sorry about the Blooms-a Year is a long Time to wait for Blooms and then this.I am keeping my Fingers crossed for you that it was just the Heat.

[silken]

Originally Posted by Orchids4ever

Sorry about the Blooms-a Year is a long Time to wait for Blooms and then this.I am keeping my Fingers crossed for you that it was just the Heat.

Yep, growing orchids certainly teaches a person to have patience

[silken]

I e-mailed the breeder of this plant and showed him photos. He was kind enough to reply and doesn't think it looks like virus but more like stress. Likely too much heat while in bud. He wondered how the roots were so I un-potted it as it was a good time to re-pot anyways. The roots were really good actually. A few dead ones in the centre but many plump healthy ones to fill the pot.

I am still testing it for virus when I get the immuno strips I just ordered, but next year I will bring it in while the buds are developing.

[Brooke]

I've always found Mr. Miranda to be an excellent vendor. Two years after a purchase from him the Catt bloomed out to be something else. I emailed him the pic, he replied immediately, sent the correct plant for free and told me the name of the incorrect bloom.

Your tenebrosa may be virused but the color break doesn't show itself in your picture. I'm with you, all virused plants are tossed.

Hopefully next year the bloom will be better.

Brooke

[isurus79]

I've seen Catts bloom some bizarrely shaped flowers due to heat stress before. How warm were the temps that this one experienced?

[silken]

Originally Posted by isurus79

I've seen Catts bloom some bizarrely shaped flowers due to heat stress before. How warm were the temps that this one experienced?

We had quite a hot week with lots of sun so for several hours a day temps were hitting 90 or 95 F in the greenhouse. I do run a swamp cooler and humidity was around 35 to 40% and then much cooler and more humid at night. The plant gets a good amount of light but not full sun all day. We have a 40 or 50% shade cloth on the outside roof of the greenhouse also.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by silken

We had quite a hot week with lots of sun so for several hours a day temps were hitting 90 or 95 F in the greenhouse. I do run a swamp cooler and humidity was around 35 to 40% and then much cooler and more humid at night. The plant gets a good amount of light but not full sun all day. We have a 40 or 50% shade cloth on the outside roof of the greenhouse also.

Its possible that these temps could have caused the deformation, though I think you'll have to see next year when it blooms to be sure!