Phal. Violacea in Bud

[RandomGemini]

I purchased this plant in spike last July from Hausermann's. Two of the three spikes originally on the plant blasted while it was adapting to my conditions and I was so afraid I would lose the last one. That spike has yet to produce a bud, though it looks like it probably will soon. The spike this bud is on appeared on this plant sometime around Christmas I think, and it has another one that appeared about a month or so ago.

I have waited for this flower for eight months.

I plan to take pictures of it each morning until the bloom fully opens and post a new photo here. It does look like the very tips of the petals will be tinted green, which is what I was hoping for. I cannot wait to smell it in a few more days!

This is my first success with blooming a phalaenopsis species. I'm so excited about this bud, that it has really been worth the wait!

I did run a filter on these photos to try to get the colors to look as true to the plant that I see as possible. I think I got it fairly close. The leaves are lime green and the magenta color on the bud is just so, so vibrant!

[Leisurely]

Congratulations! I have had similar waiting experiences as you have described only to look at the plant one day and see that something has devoured the entire spike. Rats!!!!!!!!

[RandomGemini]

Originally Posted by Leisurely

Congratulations! I have had similar waiting experiences as you have described only to look at the plant one day and see that something has devoured the entire spike. Rats!!!!!!!!

I think I would have thrown in the towel right there! Wow!

[Leafmite]

Congratulations!

---------- Post added at 04:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:05 PM ----------

Wow, sorry about the loss of the spike.

[Joseia]

Ahh, the anticipation! For me, the anxiety while waiting for the flowers is very maddening, but I think the anticipation is the main driver of my orchid addiction. So rewarding when you finally see that flower. Enjoy!

[RandomGemini]

Got home a bit ago and it's starting to open already!! I figured it would open overnight and I'd see it in the morning.

[dangerouseddy]

ive got quiet a few Violacea's non have bloomed though

[RandomGemini]

Originally Posted by dangerouseddy

ive got quiet a few Violacea's non have bloomed though

How much light are you giving them? I have seen folks be advised to give these full to part shade and there is a gal on the forum here who is actually growing these in her back yard in Malaysia. Not sure if she is still a member or not, but she grows them in much higher light, near where she grows her vandas. Mine is grown about six inches below my T5s. Other than that, I give it the same care I do my other phals, they are just grown in windowsills or to the outside edges of my orchid shelf, where they are more shaded from the T5s. The violacea I have placed right in the middle.

Hope this helps!

[dangerouseddy]

thanks. got mine under diy t5's I think its bright enough for them as my phal lueddemanniana had 2 tiny spikes when I repotted it.

think some of them are old enough to flower I just need to be patient.

I had read bellina and violacea can take higher light but am unsure just how bright they can take.

have got a light meter to check light levels and I think it was pretty bright under the lights last time I checked.

[RandomGemini]

I think they can take quite a lot of light, you just have to take the time to acclimate them to it slowly. I am planning to repot my bellina because I am not seeing good growth from it and if that fails, I'll move it next to the violacea in the tray. I've also heard others say that starting with seedlings from either of these is tricky business and that seedlings do not thrive. My bellina is a seedling, so I may look for a mature plant and pass this seedling on to someone who has more success with them.