Project 2015 Spring [main]: Amesiella monticola - Page 55 - Orchid Board

judith_arquette · #**541** 03-02-2016, 10:03 PM

Well my spike, after months of doing nothing, is finally doing something...namely dying. I noticed it appearing paler in color a few days ago and now it's definitely yellow. I'd be disappointed but the new leaf it started putting out a few weeks ago is growing nicely and I just noticed that at some point it put out a new root which is now starting to poke out midway down the net pot. I won't get flowers this year but I didn't kill the darn thing either which was my biggest concern so I'm calling it a win so far

gngrhill · #**542** 03-03-2016, 12:22 AM

Hey, Judith,
Sorry to hear about your spike, but as you said at least it's not dead so you still have the chance for a bloom in the future.

My Green Pets · #**543** 03-03-2016, 12:24 AM

Yes I think kelp could be good. I started treating mine and now have two new roots and a new leaf. My temps are cool as they have been all winter—15 to 22°C. But last summer it sat out in the heat and humidity (but 85% shade) and did fine, growing two new leaves.

Lady Meera · #**544** 03-03-2016, 12:22 PM

I cheated and bought mine in spike. It started growing two buds but they blasted a couple weeks ago. I moved it to a east facing window that my Phals love and took the advice someone posted in this thread and put it in a larger glass with wet rocks to help boost humidity. Fingers crossed. Good luck everyone. Can't wait to see some flowers

Tim P. · #**545** 03-14-2016, 01:50 AM

So... I am almost ashamed to post in this thread... but I was so angry with mine that I wanted to forget about it.
It in fact has been thriving... in its own pathetic little way. Mine did bloom... for about three days, over the weekend of course, so it was happily blooming while I was away. (bloom never did fully open for more than one day). I got to see it for ONE day. I diddn't even get to take pictures. I am sorry... I failed you guys on that front. I really thought this bloom was going to be a showstopper... fragrant and long lasting. Was I ever in for a surprise!

As for growth, mine put out a healthy leaf, and a four inch air root.

All in all, I don't think I have ever been so disappointed at an orchid with such determination to live. I like to enjoy blooms for more than three days... but I guess it bloomed... If it took more space than a quarter I would give it away LOL

All joking aside, I will give it another year to see if it was something in the culture that caused the bloom to be short lived. If it happens again, no matter how cute it is, my little montecola will find her way to ebay.

As a side note, I really think a lot of the problems with losing plants here is keeping them too wet. Mine is in bark, two inch pot, watered once a week... more when in bloom. No extra humidity or anything, just intermixed with other orchids. I can truly tell you guys that my plant is doing well, and it has received no different care than my catts... just less light.

gngrhill · #**546** 03-15-2016, 12:10 AM

Mine has grown a few new roots and one new leaf, but the spike is STILL a quarter inch long and Not moving.

stonedragonfarms · #**547** 03-16-2016, 07:31 PM

Not officially in the project; I missed the deadline by a bit (and shifted house too :/), but I bought I bought a plant a bit late to participate on the periphery. I'm curious as to what a spike in initial stage looks like as opposed to a vegetative, nonroot growth..? I've got two growths emerging that are not roots (mine threw a new one soon after it arrived) that are coming at the base of the plant on opposite sides; they are both immediately below leaves, near the base of the plant. I've read that this plant is a clump grower, but wonder if there are any easily identifiable differences between spike initiation and vegetative initiation. Anybody have any thoughts?
Thanks for reading,
Adam

SFLguy · #**548** 03-16-2016, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonedragonfarms

Not officially in the project; I missed the deadline by a bit (and shifted house too :/), but I bought I bought a plant a bit late to participate on the periphery. I'm curious as to what a spike in initial stage looks like as opposed to a vegetative, nonroot growth..? I've got two growths emerging that are not roots (mine threw a new one soon after it arrived) that are coming at the base of the plant on opposite sides; they are both immediately below leaves, near the base of the plant. I've read that this plant is a clump grower, but wonder if there are any easily identifiable differences between spike initiation and vegetative initiation. Anybody have any thoughts?
Thanks for reading,
Adam

Sounds like flower growth but they could have given up growing if conditions weren't right before you got it. Post a picture

gngrhill · #**549** 03-17-2016, 12:07 AM

I pretty much go by the "mitten" shape. If it has a "thumb" it is most likely a spike.

stonedragonfarms · #**550** 03-18-2016, 02:44 AM

Here's a pic for you all; the growth on the right initiated in early December; the one on the left started near the end of January. There is another small growth above the growth on the left that just started showing this week. I grow this little guy in my big viv with my coccinea crosses; he sits under a couple of mounted plants on the bottom of the tank. Temps run on the cool side of intermediate, rh is usually 65-75%, lights run 14-16 hours a day. Thanks for looking.