Belleara early bloom?

[dbarron]

I have a Bllra. Big Shot 'Pink Panther' that I acquired in August from Hausermann. It arrived as a small plant with a 4 PB train, though the smallest may well have been the original. It's only in a 2 1/2 inch pot and looks like it will stay there for another PB at least.
I got the accursed accordion pleat on the newest PB from letting it go just a bit longer than I should watering in the first month. It's rather slight (thank gods, because I've been known to throw milts away when I let them get pleated...it's like some horrible accusation of neglect)). I should go take a photo so the question has more data. I swear it looks bigger in the photo. And, I see the stains from letting the bark water run down the bathtub wall (please don't see that).
The surprise was I when I was inspecting it this morning, I noticed a stalk down in the leaf axil. It seems too small to bear flowers (imo). Should I tweeze it and abort, or let it go?

[Roberta]

I can't think of any reason to sacrifice a developing spike! Enjoy it. Note... it is likely to take some time to bloom, Oncidinae tend to tease you for months with ever-elongating spikes that are in no hurry at all to produce flowers! They do it when they are ready and not a moment before. So they teach patience.

[dbarron]

I'm happy to enjoy it but it just seems like a premature birth *lol*.
Patience is not a problem, I expected to wait at least another year on a spike from that plant (if I managed to keep it alive, I'm still deciphering cooler growing Oncidiums/Miltonias).
Thanks Roberta,

[Ray]

It’s all about resources and culture.

A plant used water, air, and minerals to produce a number of phytochemicals that are its fuel and building blocks. The first priority is staying alive. If the supply of resources is large and the culture is such that the plant can easily produce them, it will dedicate them to growth, and if there is still more, it will expend some on reproduction.

The fact that it is “comfortable” enough to dedicate resources to growing a spike is a testament to your culture.

[dbarron]

Way to make me feel good, Ray (and I mean it)
It really is (at least for me) fumbling (like letting those leaves crinkle) with trial and error. I can read and get some general stuff down, but everything hinges on adapting it to my specific conditions. I swear, even after doing orchids on and off since I was a teenager, I still go through times of amazement (and I guess that's the magic of it?).
Though i must say that it's finally becoming clear to me that there is no such thing as too much water (as long as plenty of air too) and the more light and fertilizer you can cause to cycle through the plants the better (within limits of not frying them by sunlight or salts). I know, you all have been saying that, but in the last 4 or 5 years, it's finally making sense in a concrete way.

[Ray]

While I think orchids can "adapt" to a limited degree to other-than-optimal growing conditions, we must keep in mind that they are niche plants, with very specific, individual cultural needs. If you are able to hit that "Goldilocks spot", they are very easy to grow and bloom.

That changed significantly for me when I moved from a greenhouse in PA to windowsills and outdoors here in NC, so I had to adjust the types of plants I focused upon.

[dbarron]

Well the little spike is coming right along. Since i totally didn't expect it, I'm not disappointed that it's only going to produce three blossoms. I'll be happy just to see a single flower for posterity.

[Roberta]

Looking forward to the photos! It is progressing VERY nicely. As the plant matures you'll get longer spikes with more flowers. This little one is precocious!

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by Ray

... That changed significantly for me when I moved from a greenhouse in PA to windowsills and outdoors here in NC, so I had to adjust the types of plants I focused upon.

Ain't that the truth! Even when one doesn't change states. I'd grown in same way for a long, long time. Outside in Kansas heat for six months, in a basement under lights the other six. When I reached the point where we just couldn't do all that schlepping of plants up and down stairs twice a year, something had to give. Other than my knees.

Now I'm maybe three? years in to growing on a sun porch. Racks in front of full length windows on south and west, plus LED lights to supplement. Less timed misting, and supplementing humidity quite a bit more. I'm still on a learning curve and figuring out what plants I can tweak conditions for vs. what grows better under current setup vs. ones I still can't figure out.

It amazes me how narrow the "niche" of each plant grows under different conditions. Beallara/Aliceara are struggling in my new environment. A lot. Haven't given up, but they sure look ratty.

That's one of the hardest learning curves of orchid culture. Growing what works well for one's conditions without jumping through too many hoops to suit their needs. Especially while learning the peculiarities of certain tribes.

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[dbarron]

Well, it has happened. I know I didn't wait for the lip to fully flatten before taking the pic..but I was excited