Paphiopedilum Maudiae (Flower Spike)

[Susie11]

Originally Posted by Orquiadicto

I've got two NoId paphs and a phragmipedium calurum that I bought im bloom in October 2011. Since then, they have set out new fans but no spikes. Hope yours blooms soon.

If it is giving you fans but no spikes then maybe it needs more light? I had a Phrag. mont fallu that used to grow many fans but it never spiked so I got rid of it. I got one again a few years later and I gave it much more light and what do you know? it spiked for me within a few months.

[newbud]

Oh...ok thanks. I guess my question now would be how do you tell early on when a new leaf is a new leaf or a new fan that's going to produce a flower spike?

[Orquiadicto]

Originally Posted by Susie11

If it is giving you fans but no spikes then maybe it needs more light? I had a Phrag. mont fallu that used to grow many fans but it never spiked so I got rid of it. I got one again a few years later and I gave it much more light and what do you know? it spiked for me within a few months.

I grow them outside in bright shade. Do they need direct sun?

[Panino]

Originally Posted by newbud

Oh...ok thanks. I guess my question now would be how do you tell early on when a new leaf is a new leaf or a new fan that's going to produce a flower spike?

Well, Newbud, I'll tell you what I know from my very scarce knowledge of orchids... I am a beginner after all... My paph put out many new leaves (about 5) since I bought it and sure enough every time I saw a new one I would hope it was a flower spike. Now, the last leaf to come out, as it was emerging I could tell (when I put my paph against the light) that there was something growing in the middle of it... oval shaped, thicker than a leaf, and with a little stem at its base. Also, once it came out from the leaf, I could tell that the oval shape thing had many little hairs on it, which the other leaves didn't. So I assumed it was a flower spike.

I hope this helps a little... I'm just sharing my experience though, I'm not talking as an expert. Good luck with your paphs and phrags and don't hesitate to show us pictures once they put on their show! Take care!

[Susie11]

Originally Posted by Orquiadicto

I grow them outside in bright shade. Do they need direct sun?

If the leaves are dark they are getting too much sun, if they are pale then they are getting not enough sun. They should be a granny smith apple green colour.

[Orquiadicto]

This is how they look like. Do you think they have enough light?



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[Susie11]

Yeah they look just right. I guess it is just making you wait. I have a bouley bay that is stubborn too. Patience.....

[Orquiadicto]

There is something growing in the centre of a new fan on my Phragmipedium calurum. Don't know if its visible in this picture. It's probably "just" a new leave, but I can't help wishing it's a spike. Cross your fingers for me.

[Susie11]

They are crossed. You are like me, I constantly look down the crown of all my slippers just to 'see' if they are doing anything 'interesting'.

[Orquiadicto]

Originally Posted by Orquiadicto

There is something growing in the centre of a new fan on my Phragmipedium calurum. Don't know if its visible in this picture. It's probably "just" a new leave, but I can't help wishing it's a spike. Cross your fingers for me.
Attachment 70432

Of course it turned out to be "just" a new leaf. I guess she'll need to mature before she can grow spikes. Anyway, I found this on one of my paphiopedilums. Since I bought them in bloom, I've never seen a spike forming. Do you, more experienced members, think this might be a spike?