Early Spikes

[NYCorchidman]

One of my green complex paph has been in low spike since june, and two more are spiking.

Rather early because I normally get spikes in late summer for the complex, but no complaints.

Last one is henryanum spiking.

[17&growing]

Congrats!

[RosieC]

I need some spiking Paphs too, all in growing mode just now so will have to wait.

[Fairorchids]

I have noticed a few buds too. However, they are solow i the fans, that it could be months before they develop further.

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by 17&growing

Congrats!

Thanks!

---------- Post added at 10:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:02 AM ----------

Originally Posted by RosieC

I need some spiking Paphs too, all in growing mode just now so will have to wait.

I have about five more in low spike, but they are hard to photograph yet.

---------- Post added at 10:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:03 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

I have noticed a few buds too. However, they are solow i the fans, that it could be months before they develop further.

That is right. Complex hybrids will make low spike or sheath (for the ones that have leaf like structure that covers the whole spike) in the summer and then wait there for a long long time until well into the fall. then start developing like crazy and bloom during the winter.

I can't wait!!! I'm especially interested in how the first two here will turn out because they were huge this past winter. Also, I wonder how the color and shape will change.
So far, the only stable flowers have been spotted complex. Greens, my favorites, and yellows have been blooming smaller in size and color would also vary somewhat. bummer...

[lotis146]

Good for you! That's so exciting. It's also encouraging to hear how normal it can be for Paphs to take FOREVER to spike, bud, then bloom. I have one - I've mentioned it many times, sorry for the repeat, can't help myself - that has been in spike, not low, for almost two months.

I thought my Lebaudyanum was in spike/sheath but they now just look like leaves. Is there a rather obvious difference between leaves and sheaths? (i think I know the answer to this since mine look mostly like leaves...wishful thinking I guess...).

I hope your blooms turn out awesome! Please share their development if you don't mind, how long they take and even how long the blooms last.

Thanks!

[NYCorchidman]

Now almost all my complex are in low sheath. Yay!!!

The ones that I posted above, they are growing buds inside the sheath.

---------- Post added at 03:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:00 PM ----------

I thought my Lebaudyanum was in spike/sheath but they now just look like leaves. Is there a rather obvious difference between leaves and sheaths? (i think I know the answer to this since mine look mostly like leaves...wishful thinking I guess...).


Well, it's rather easy and quite clear.
You need to first observe a few plants when they spike and notice how different they look as compared to a newly emerging leaf.

Maudiae types (like a bunch of vini flowers you have blooming) and parvisepalum & brachpetalums will usually have hairy spike. Now, a spike may or may not have sheath or fake leaf ( I don't know the technical term, but usually there might be this tiny leaf before a spike emerge, although it's not always the case).
Whether there will be this sheath or not, both the sheath and flower bud "cover" (again, I don't know the proper name of this structure, but this is that part which envelops the bottom of the ovary) will have hairs and once you get used to seeing them, it's quite clear as newly emerging leaves have no hairs, and they look quite different as well.
Another thing, once there is a spike coming, you look at the bottom of the growth (or fan) from the side, and you can see the bulging as the plant is holding the developing spike there. sort of like being pregnant with belly sticking out.

With complex hybrids, there will be no hairs in general, but the appearance is quite different from leaves. It's hard to describe but easy to see in person.
Also, leaves will have this split tip while spikes do not.
This feature applies to all other paph groups I think.
Also, as the new leaf grows out, it will open up even when it's way down at the center of the growth while sheath will stay closed until there's bud coming out.
Spotted or red colored complex will often have sheath that are also spotted or marked dark near the tip or all over the sheath, so these are very easy to tell early one.
You just look for something dark deep down the growth and you know it's a sheath.

Multiflorals usually have nearly black spikes, so it is very easy to tell.