Paphiopedilum Maudiae (Flower Spike)

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by Susie11

I am trying to find some that I don't have yet but as I only have albums the choice is rather linited. I guess I should move on to coloured but I just like the albums better :/

Maudiae albums are my favorite, too! It is just that I have hard time finding the flower shape I like among so many hybrids avaibale in today's market.

They are easy to grow and bloom, and blooms rather often and stay in bloom for a long long time. Try other colors as you like, because pretty much most maudiae types regardless of the color, are non demanding and easy bloomer.

I hated the look of the paphs many years ago, then one day, I just got hooked and brought home maudiae album and now I have so many and love it!

I have to say I still like a few types, so I would have rather unique ones every once in a while, but usually end up getting rid of them. All my core memebrs I love the most stay in my apartment, though.

[Susie11]

Originally Posted by Orquiadicto

I agree with that, but how can you not look for a couple of weeks. I just can't. Next Monday I'm leaving on holiday, so I'll be 10 to 12 days without watching them twice or three times per day. I guess when I get back they'll all have surprises for me (when they survive the cares of my sister in law).

You will have to get your sister in law to send you tweets or photos to your mobile on the hour every hour!!

[RosieC]

First spikes are always soooo exciting.

Just a note for those wanting to be able to tell if a spike is coming. If you think it might be, gently grip the base of the fan between thumb and forefinger (about where the bud will come out from). If there is a spike then it will feel 'fat' if there isn't it will feel 'flat'.

Try it with a few fans, both those you think might have a spike and others that don't. If there is a spike you will be able to tell the difference easily. I didn't understand what people meant until I felt a 'fat' one then it was obvious. I think I have a spike on a complex paph at the momment but I can't see it... it just feels like it's there.

[NYCorchidman]

You can also tell by just looking at the base closely. When there's a bud coming, the base becomes fatter with a growing bud in it. When there's a new leaf coming or nothing coming, the base looks rather loose.

[Orquiadicto]

Back from holiday. My sister in law didn't do too bad considering it's the first time she took care of my plants. Usualy I only go away for one week, but this year we went away for two weeks.
It's clear now that the sheath has got a bud. It's rounded so there must be something in there. I wonder how long it will take now to get the flower. I've got the plant outside. Should I leaf it there or would it be better to put her back inside? I'm afraid that if I change the location now, the bud might blast. Here are some pictures.


There's something growing in the centre of another fan on this same plant, but I think it's a leave. It's too small to be visible on a picture (taken with the iPad camera). I'll post a picture when it's bigger.

[RosieC]

Definitely a bud

They can take quite a while to develop, but are faster than some paphs. I bought a Maudiae about a month ago, with one flower and one bud. The bud was on a short stem (about 10cm). It opened on Saturday so took about a month from that point. From memory of having one of these before it can take 2-3 months from when you first spot it.

[NYCorchidman]

That's right! It is well above the leaves now and will grow quite speedy. I would also say a month or more.

I have twp paphs (not maudiae, but one is complex type, the other one is nivum hybrid? not so sure) that pushed up buds above the leaves and it's been like that for about three months now. Boy, sometimes I just want to stretch them out, but that wouldn't work of course. lol

[Orquiadicto]

This is how it looks today. It has grown quite a lot. I still have it outside, but I'm scared some "nice little creep" might eat it. On the other hand I don't want to change the location just in case it blasts. It's the first time it's blooming with me, so I'm not sure of what to do.

[Panino]

That looks great Orquiadicto! Keep up the good work! My flower spike was doing great and it looked very healthy... one day it just started wilting and I didn't know why... after a couple of days I found a cotton-like pattern forming on the base of the spike and on other parts of the plant and I was crushed to find out that mealy bugs had infested my poor paph! I haven't given up on it yet and I've been trying to fight the little bastards with rubbing alcohol.

I hope you have better luck with your flower spike and don't hesitate to post a picture once it blooms. That way I can live vicariously through you!

[Orquiadicto]

You can count on it.