Coel. Unchained Melody - new growth question

[WhiteRabbit]

I got a Coel. Unchained Melody in May - my first, and thus far only, Coel., so it's all new to me!

When I got the plant, it had a spike on it (no buds showing), which aborted shortly afterwards, and a small new growth starting. Not long after, it started another new growth, both are now mature. A couple of months ago, it started two more new growths, which are still fairly small.

I found small new nubs on the matured new growths a couple of days ago - Is it typical for these to start new growth at this time of year? If so, should plant still be kept on the drier side over winter, if it's growing?

Thanks for your help!

[OrchidLoverSA]

Those could be flowerspikes. Mine did the exact same thing right as winter started this year, the "new thingies" looked exactly like a new p.bulb up until the flowerbuds started to form, the "new thingies" even seemed thick enough aat the base to be p.bulbs. I kept it cold and dry until the flowerbuds appeared.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by OrchidLoverSA

Those could be flowerspikes. Mine did the exact same thing right as winter started this year, the "new thingies" looked exactly like a new p.bulb up until the flowerbuds started to form, the "new thingies" even seemed thick enough aat the base to be p.bulbs. I kept it cold and dry until the flowerbuds appeared.

Cool! Thanks!

I know it is difficult to tell spikes from new growth on these ... I thought it was probably too much to hope that these were spikes ... as well as I had thought spikes emerged more towards spring ;p

So if spikes, expect to bloom in spring?

I also have the two, still growing new growths ... should water be reduced, or no?

[ronaldhanko]

Waiting for pictures, Sonya.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by ronaldhanko

Waiting for pictures, Sonya.

Hehe ... well, hoping I don't futz things up, and get some blooms

[OrchidLoverSA]

As to reducing water while there are still two new bulbs, that I don't know, as mine had finished it's 3 bulbs, sat around for a little while, then made a spike. I guess the winter rest is to initialise flowerspikes, so if it has done so already, there is not much point to reducing water. I started watering more regularly when mine started to spike, as I thought it was a new bulb. Mine bloomed towards the end of winter, and the flowers were done by spring. According to my notes, the flowers lasted about 1 month.

[kindrag23]

COOL! Heres hoping for a flower spike!

[Bud]

I am excited for you, Sonya !
Those new growths will bring forth spikes at the center of the hollow space in the middle of the keiki and it will continue to be a bulb when the flowers are gone. I specifically remember my Coelogyne marthae thread and how your bulbs and leaves remind me of them.
You may resume your watering regimen since these are done with rest and produced new growths that needs to be nourished.
These don't need drastic rest all you need is water weekly when you used to water every other day....when the keiki bulbs mature then do a months rest. It needs it to produce magnificent cascading fragrant flowers.....

[Orchid Whisperer]

I have a Coelogyne cristata (seed parent of Unchained Melody) that has been producing new growths continuously since last winter (maybe 7 or 8 so far?). All of the growths that matured started like the ones in your first 2 pictures, later looked like your last picture and produced new leaves & pseudobulbs.

I also have 2 recent growths on my C. cristata, which also look like your picture #1. Will they produce flowers? Still not sure, but I am hopeful.

Good luck with yours, let us know how it turns out. Even if it is not flowers this time, more leaves & Pseudobulbs means more flowers later on.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by OrchidLoverSA

As to reducing water while there are still two new bulbs, that I don't know, as mine had finished it's 3 bulbs, sat around for a little while, then made a spike. I guess the winter rest is to initialise flowerspikes, so if it has done so already, there is not much point to reducing water. I started watering more regularly when mine started to spike, as I thought it was a new bulb. Mine bloomed towards the end of winter, and the flowers were done by spring. According to my notes, the flowers lasted about 1 month.

Cool - thanks for the tips!
I'll keep up the watering for now, and see what these growths do ... Being as I am completely new to this type of orchid, I am happy to see it growing well!