About this time of year, I start bringing my orchids from the back porch into my screened porch. I keep them in the porch, spray them with insecticidal soap and neem oil. They stay for at least two weeks and/or before the temperature falls below 45*F.
As usual, my Trichocentrum splendidum have started to spike. Here is the one of five divisions/plants that is spiking. This plant is otherwise known as "mule ear". It is an enormous plant--one leaf is two feet in length. When the spike reaches maturity, it will be about five feet in length and it will have a lot of yellow-brown fragrant flowers. This will be around January. The stalk grows about a foot every month.
I'm using this forum to chronicle this plant's progress. My orchid friends have never seen a fully mature, bloom sized Trichocentrum splendidum, so this will be shared with them too. I moved this plant to my breakfast room to take this picture. Once this spike lengthens beyond the height of the plant, the plant and spike become too unwieldy to move.
This plant is pretty hardy but in order to prevent bud blast, the environment has to be warm, humid, moving air. The plant needs bright in-direct light. As it develops the spike I only water it once a week. It does not thrive with wet roots.
Trichocentrum splendidum In Spike
Good Growing!
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