St Swithin first bloom SO EXCITED

[Kim in CT]

I'm so happy to share this with folks who, unlike my immediate family members, actually appreciate the excitement and wonder associated with the first-time blooming of a multi-floral paph. TA_DAAA! I ordered this Paph. philipinense x (roths. 'Jungle Selected' x roths. 'Atlantis') nearly 3 years ago as a $9.90 special from Seattle Orchid (yup), and posted about it in May 2021 when it looked like it was dying. She did nothing for a full year and then just took off. Grown in S/H in my dining room.

I didn't expect this plant to be so BIG -- 24 inches across the leaves, and flowers 13 inches long. I am so inspired by the orchid photographers who post here on Orchid Board, and I tried my best, but it was challenging! The best location I could find was on the back of the toilet.

For next time, is there a way to avoid the 90-degree angle in the flower stalk? It seems so brittle and there is NO WAY I was going to risk snapping it while tying it to a stake. For now the flowers form a nice horizontal canopy over the other orchids below...

So happy!

[Ray]

Nice!!!

[Blueszz]

Beautiful!

[estación seca]

Great job!

[FranningtonBear]

Stunning!

I have no Phaph. experience, but regarding your staking question, in future I would begin attaching to the stake earlier whilst the spike is short and forming. I generally use clips and just move them as the spike grows and matures.

[billc]

Very nice!! I stake my multi-florals only because they are easier to move when watering. I think they look more natural when they are not staked, but there is a good chance of catastrophe.

Bill

[Jmoney]

very nice. the spike on your plant takes after the phil parent. if you really want it straight up in the future you can start staking it when is much shorter. but I like the arching...

[Kim in CT]

I like the arching, too. Viewed straight on, the blooms seem to play peek-a-boo with each other. But it does indeed add some stress to watering. Last week, it got tangled with some nearby psychopsis stalks when I moved it to the watering table. I almost had a heart attack.

[DeaC]

The natural arching forward is how I like to see my own plants present themselves. I, on the other hand, prefer to make myself stand upright and proud! Your Saint is heavenly.

[Louis_W]

Beautiful plant! Thats quite a turn around!

Regarding the spike arching... try strong light from above the plant. Also do not move or rotate the plant. If you get it right you shouldnt need a stake.