Paph blooms fail to open completely

[josterha]

Hello,

I have a Paph. Nulight plant which is currently blooming (one growth in bloom and another in spike). On the open bloom, the flower has not opened entirely. The Dorsal sepal is more-or-less perpendicular to the lip. It has been open more than a week but the sepal has not opened in any more erect posture. Any idea as to what could cause this? Last year, I bought the plant while in bloom and the flower was normal apart from a rot spot in the slipper due to water getting in there at the big box store. I did clip the spike to a wire support, but only after the bloom started to open. Anyone familiar with this hybrid knows that it has a large, imposing bloom of the Winston Churchill Toad-on-a-Stick" variety. I wanted to be sure that the stem was not overtaxed with the weight of the flower. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

John

[WhiteRabbit]

sorry - I can't help - but bumping this so perhaps someone else who can may see it

[tuvoc]

I had two bulldog types that did that this year. They were both first blooms for the plants, so I guess they were adjusting to their new home. Yours might be doing the same. We'll see next year. Good luck, and let us know.

Kim

[josterha]

There is another spike now developing on another growth on the same plant. This one is developing using northern exposure light; while the other one developed under fluorescent tubes. I'll be very curious to see if the blooms show the same result.

[josterha]

Just by chance, I was reading an old AOS "Orchids" journal this morning from March 1996 in the "Cultural Column". About spiking paphs it says:

"Do not be too anxious to stake the spikes, for if they are staked too soon, the flowers may develop in a 'nodding' stance, where the dorsal sepal will not stand upright. If the spike develops at an angle, let them, and stake after the flower has hardened for best carriage..."

This seems to perfectly describe what has occurred on my plant. Also, the second flower on the same plant has now bloomed. I'm afraid that I also staked this spike too early. Also, I believe due too low humidity (because of air conditioning), the lip did not develop properly. The back of the lip is somewhat inverted. Although, from the front the flower looks normal, aside from the "nodding" dorsal sepal.

I just thought I would post this for others' information.

Thanks,

John

[BikerDoc5968]

Something else you can try is facing the flower "away from" the light, i.e., place the back of the flower toward the light and this may help it become more erect.... or I guess I could write you an Rx for some Viagra

[RosieC]

Interesting... because I've just staked a Paph spike yesterday... I think I've going to go release it!

[Gin]

Some I stake and some not but I face the back of the bloom toward the brightest light .. Gin

[RosieC]

Interesting, because mine has growth the other way arround and I was advised before not to turn it. The bud tilts down towards the direction of the light... hmm not sure what to do at this point