Haraella retrocalla (Project 8 - Spring 2009) - Page 60 - Orchid Board

Zoi2 · #**591** 07-13-2009, 01:09 AM

Last month I was really discouraged with the little guy. I had it mounted on a piece of driftwood with some sphag. The roots were rotting, the new leaf was not growing and I saw a fungus gnat.
I remounted it to a rock with no moss, put it on a plate of small rocks with some water and covered it with a plastic bowl (similar to Nicole's picture she posted the first of June).
Here it is today, is this a spike?

Joann

Blueszz · #**592** 07-13-2009, 07:24 AM

Yes I do think it's a spike! Root tips are rounded and the tip on your growth isn't.
I think it won't be long before you can see it forming a bud. When you hold it towards a light source, you can recognize the beginning of a bud by the little balls at the end of the tip.

Thanks for sharing the picture! How do you water it?

Nicole

Zoi2 · #**593** 07-13-2009, 05:54 PM

YIPPEE!! Now, I'm excited.

It stays pretty moist in the "Haraella House" but I spray the roots and rock with fert/rain water when it gets a bit dry.
Joann

shadytrake · #**594** 07-14-2009, 12:59 AM

Here is my updated Haella Fitzgerald.

The 2 seed pods are doing great. It also has what looks like another spike off of each pod stem and another spike from the plant.

What do you think?

Blueszz · #**595** 07-14-2009, 07:41 AM

Woow, these seed pods are huge compared to the size of the plants. Thanks for sharing!

whygreenberg · #**596** 07-15-2009, 02:55 PM

An update from me & Hairy Ella... Two new blooms!

Zoi2 · #**597** 07-15-2009, 09:28 PM

Yvan, congratulations--they're beautiful!
Joann

quiltergal · #**598** 07-15-2009, 09:59 PM

Very sweet Yvan! Isn't this just a great plant? If I had any reservations about it before, they are now long gone.

whygreenberg · #**599** 07-15-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiltergal

Very sweet Yvan! Isn't this just a great plant? If I had any reservations about it before, they are now long gone.

Yessirree, Terri! Truth be told, I was originally not completely excited that this ended up being the project plant. But boy, Hairy Ella has really won me over! The blooms are just too cute, and I have to say, I really LOVE the scent!

boytjie · #**600** 07-15-2009, 11:17 PM

Mine is still lagging waaaaayyyy behind... The original spike has hardly grown at all, but a second spike has emerged in the meantime and it's overtaking the first one at a snail's pace. Maybe eventually the little dude will actually bloom...!