Another Bollopetalum Midnight Blue 'Cardinal's Roost' - my first spike!

[ScuttledCuttle]

Yay, I'm doing something right! I bought this Blptm Midnight Blue 'Cardinal's Roost' back in May from a local vendor (The Orchid Gallery of Signal Mtn, TN) who classified it as near blooming size. They predicted it to bloom within one to two years, so I wasn't expecting anything until at least next summer.

However, in October it started putting out a new growth, and by December here I am with two spikes! I was a bit worried that the growth seemed to be at an odd angle, but if it's spiking then I'm going to assume it's happy enough.



This will be the first orchid I'll have gotten to bloom on my own, so I'm quite thrilled. I can't wait to see what the blooms look like - there seems to be a lot of variety in this particular cross and I'm hoping for some lovely deep blues.

ETA: It bloomed! All eight of them, too - the 8th is just starting to open. It's not quite as dark as I was expecting but it's still absolutely lovely. :D

[Daethen]

I have this one also. I got a pretty small one but it is putting out new roots like crazy and the bulbs are plumping up nicely since I got it. I can't wait to see yours in bloom, thin I will know what to expect.

[RosieC]

Congratulations, looks a good strong spike

[Paul Mc]

WOW - thanks for sharing! Mine is brand new and I was wondering where the spikes would come from, as well as the pb's being higher than everything else causing the folage to fall sideways a bit. Keep us posted on the progress!

[ScuttledCuttle]

Thanks Jonada and Rosie, I will definitely post a pic when it blooms!

Paul, mine has to be propped up a bit as well - one p'bulb is even bent a little at the top with the weight of the leaf and seems to be permanently that way. But it's definitely nice to know where to look for spikes, as this is my first Maxillaria type and I wasn't sure where they'd come from. I didn't even notice them until the darker part of the stem started showing.

[Angurek]

Looks like a healthy plant. Great growing. The blooms should be pale to dark purple (sometimes near black) in color when they open, with a velvety purple lip (the name's a misnomer - they should change it to "Midnight Violet."). If you're lucky, the blooms should last you a good four weeks (maybe even more since you're growing it inside).

Zygos and their hybrids always bloom from new growth. Usually, you'll notice some small, pointed things emerging somewhere at the bottom of the lead. Some also have an ascending rhizome - the new growths have somewhat of a stacking effect.

[CTB]

The blooms are beautiful, you'll be thrilled with them. A special orchid, I think. Enjoy!

[ScuttledCuttle]

Update: it bloomed! I have added the pictures to the original post.

[RosieC]

Great blooms