Den. Unicum: FIVE nubbins

[gmdiaz]

Originally Posted by orchid slave

Good job! I have trouble growing those. I finally mounted them on fern slabs in desperation. They smell like peach jello. Well, to me anyway.

Let us know how you're growing yours, maybe we can help?

Peach jello! I am anxious to test out the fragrance on this one in particular. I've heard it can smell like freshly sharpened crayons, or tangerines.

I just read at the Cattleya Log forum that Ed is going to add my suggestion to leave room for a fragrance description! Yeah! There is so much more to fragrance than yes or no, dont' cha think?

[shakkai]

Way to go, Gwen! My unicum has nubbins too, but they're not as far along as your's, so I can't tell whether they're going to flowers (I hope!) or what... Needless to say, mine is growing much cooler than the conditions your's is in. Though it seems happy enough here.

Can't wait to see your flowers! (and your description of the scent!)

[TikiGeorge]

My little bald Unicum just lost it's last leaf but I have a feeling it's about to bloom

[Neverend]

Oo congrats!

[gmdiaz]

Originally Posted by TikiGeorge

My little bald Unicum just lost it's last leaf but I have a feeling it's about to bloom

What the heck happened to it's leaves?. . .not that they have many to start with. Are you fertilizing? And keeping it in a pretty humid location with lots of bright indirect light?

Yours is in just about the same bloom stage as mine! I checked this morning and the buds are starting to get orange. I can hardly wait!

Please, do, post pics of your blooms!

[shakkai]

Gwen, one of my canes - the ones with the most developed buds/nubbins - dropped all of its leaves as well.... Another cane still has some at the top, but like you say, not a lot. I'm jealous of the dark coloured canes, though... wish mine were like that! Maybe when it gets older?

[gmdiaz]

Mine still has leaves. . .but saying that is being really generous. lol

I have two leaves on one cane and the new growth has two leaves too.

My canes DO NOT look so good as that big healthy one that TikiGeorge's has on his unicum!

Why do they drop their leaves. . .seems like it would be a good idea to keep them. . .

[moogiemama]

There are some orchids that drop their leaves before flowering and the unicum is one of them. My cycnodes does the same thing. They usually need a rest period with very little water after flowering.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by moogiemama

There are some orchids that drop their leaves before flowering and the unicum is one of them. My cycnodes does the same thing. They usually need a rest period with very little water after flowering.

But Jay's Orchid site shows it with "persistent leaves" IOSPE PHOTOS

[moogiemama]

My old canes have lost all their leaves. The new growth has leaves (of course) but I wouldn't be surprised to have the leaves drop before flowering. I think the on-line supplier even said it would drop the leaves.