I've been robbed.

[Junebug]

Ironically some bug decided to devour 2 out of 3 of my Maikai blooms. There are plenty of buds and blooms in the shade house right now but the insect chose to munch my first anticipated buds from this plant/plants. Actually 4 small plants are growing from this mount. They were all part of an earlier "Orchid Ball" project that I started about 3 years ago. When that project failed I transferred the immature plants to this cactus skeleton. It took a while for the chids to adjust, but they eventually adapted and have been growing well ever since. I was surprised to even see buds during this time of year because I have another Maikai that only blooms in winter. The loss is disturbing, but I guess I should be thankful that one bud was spared.

I'm not sure what ate the two buds, but on my list of usual suspects would be either a scarab beetle or a large palmetto bug. They typically eat during darkness and leave no scraps of evidence. Damage from either of these insects is most prominent during summer.

I feel better now that I've vented.