Den Hercoglossum - Are these flower spikes?!?

[MuscleGirl'sHobby]

I'm a realative newbie to Orchids period. I bought my first Orchid, a Phal, just a little more than a year ago. I now have 41... er 40 Orchids. One belongs to my 7 year old daughter!

Anyhow, I bought this Den. Hercoglossum from Orchids Alive on ebay. The flowers looked amazing, and the plant was advertised as small blooming size. I've had the plant for just a hare more than a month now. Since it's been here I've had roots galore growing and 3 new canes have begun to pop up. Then a few days ago I see a couple nubs beginning to come out of one of the older canes. Blooms?!?!? I hope I hope! Please tell me yes! I never thought it could bloom this soon.

First picture is a close up of the nubbies. The second picture is of the plant itself.

[Chubidubi]

It looks more like a keiki. Looks like we have to wait a little longer to get a better idea of it.

[Don Perusse]

I am not familiar with this particular Den. but they looks like they might be spikes. Here's hoping with you. Nice growing. Post pics. if they turn out to be.

[MuscleGirl'sHobby]

I guess I could settle for a keiki. One of my Phals is putting one out right now. I was hoping for a re-bloom, but got the keiki instead.

It would sure be fun to see this baby boom. I'll do my best to be patient and see what these turn out to be.

[nancy]

Hey, they could be spikes - mine bloomed earlier this year, but the beginnings of the inflorescences were very thin and pointy. I've gotten some keikis, and they looked a little different, like the tips were a fine paint brush rather than a pencil point shape.
These are really pretty plants, aren't they?
Regards - Nancy

[MuscleGirl'sHobby]

Update on my little growths.... THIS BABY IS GOING TO BLOOM!!!!

Now lets just see if I can get them to the whole bloom opening point without blasting them... I'm very pleased that it survived my being gone for 5 days on vacation. It took some planning and setting up of timers etc, but when I got home it was clear this was not a keiki.

[Becky15349]

Haha, I love your signature!! DO you have a pic of the spikes as they are now?

[MuscleGirl'sHobby]

I'll have to upload a new pic. I took on a couple days ago, but it's not very good. I'll take a new one and post it.

On an learning/questioning note... When I search for pics of Den. Hercoglosum, I find pictures of it flower from a leafless cane. Mine however, is flowering from a very "leafy" cane. Is there some variation within, or does it do both? Just wondering. Perhaps I ought to dive into reading that huge book I bought on Dendrobiums!! Haha.

[unhappykat]

Originally Posted by MuscleGirl'sHobby

I'll have to upload a new pic. I took on a couple days ago, but it's not very good. I'll take a new one and post it.

On an learning/questioning note... When I search for pics of Den. Hercoglosum, I find pictures of it flower from a leafless cane. Mine however, is flowering from a very "leafy" cane. Is there some variation within, or does it do both? Just wondering. Perhaps I ought to dive into reading that huge book I bought on Dendrobiums!! Haha.

It is alright if it is blooming from a leaved cane, it really happy, I have this same species and earlier this year it bloomed from leafless and leaved canes. They can rebloom for many years on the same canes, they can also keiki off any cane at any time, even if its in active growth. I have one small keiki mounted on fern and the mother plant in a hanging basket, I think it looks better on the mount but its kinda late to move the mother plant around. Great find, its a somewhat common species but I rarely see it in any orchid nurseries.

[cloudswinger]

I just got one from Orchids Alive too, and it also has a spike. Then I stuck it in a spot that was sunny, so I think I slightly burned that cane, but it seems it wasn't enough to kill the spike. I was pleasantly surprised. The spikes are generally pendant as they grow longer, so I'm letting them hang down.

My 4yo daughter claimed one at walmart, a bagged cattleya. So far that's doing well. She likes misting all the plants.

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