Phal bellina in bud - now in flower :)
 

I think it might actually flower this time :cheer:

I bought this guy back in May last year, my first and currently only species Phal. It grew a spike last summer but the two buds, one after the other, blasted when they were still quite small :(

I left the old spike on, as it didn't dry up, but it grew a new spike this year and the bud has grown much bigger than it managed last time. I'm really nervous about whether it will actually make it to opening... but I'm getting more hopeful.

I even think there is a second small bud forming.

Fingers crossed for me guys :crossfing

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6067/...202e0748_m.jpg http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6062/...210ae2d4_m.jpg

Looking good Rosie! Should be open in a couple weeks max!
Mine opened it's third flower for this year the other day. Look forward to seeing pics!

Can't wait to see the pictures, Rosie. One of my favorite orchids, partly because of its scent.

Should have added - like your new avatar.

they look good, Rosie! I can't wait for the bloom pics--I've been wanting a bellina for some time now.

Looks awesome! My bellina blasted the bud twice in a row :(( I have no idea why either. But I'm working on it lol
Your bud is a really nice size though. Can't wait to see the pic when it opens :biggrin:

Thanks everyone. I really hope this bud makes it. I'm so glad it's got further than last time.

Thanks Ron, it's a Masdie amabilis, one of the first sets of photos taken with my new camera. I've been meaning to post my pictures of it, but I've got quite a few orchid pics I've not sorted through since spring. It's actually only just closed, and the good news is that my veitchianna has yet another bud getting close to opening :)

woo hoo! how exciting! keeping my fingers crossed for no blast! :crossfing

Yay for you! There is definitely a second, and it could give you a third even! My violacea Sumatra just opened its' first bud (pics to come soon), and it is currently working on its' second and third.

Don't give up Rosie!! Looking good! It'll be worth the wait.
Good luck :D

Thanks for the encouragement everyone.

I noticed this morning that I can actually see the red pigment starting to show on part of the bud. So excited :)

Just alittle bit more! Can't wait to see your blooms!

Judi

Thanks Judi,

I really can see the pink forming on the lower sepals now. And there is definitely a tiny second bud there as well :biggrin:

Well they are still growing :biggrin:

The bud has turned and is clearly showing the purple pigment now. Getting really excited :cheer: The second bud has also grown and is clearly visible now.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6083/...653c2408_m.jpg http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/...0e89b2a1_m.jpg

I've made some changes to my photo sharing account so let me know if you can't see these.

YAY!!!!:groupwave:

It's getting closer!

Lovely close-ups and looks like flowers for sure! Can't wait to see.

Oh my! How stunning! I have been in love with these for a while now, been on the look out for them!

Congrats!!

Thanks everyone. It's just started to crack open today so should have flower pics soon :cheer:

Whooooo!!!!! im so excited for you!!!! my seedling from Al's is making new growth and the leaf looks like a mature leaf!!!!!!! its getting round and wavy its beautiful!

I cannot wait to see your flower!

It's opened :cheer:

But I've not managed to get pics yet :( Not sure I'll get chance tonight but I will try.

YAY! I can't wait for the pics!
:banana::banana::banana:

yay!!! im happy for you Rosie!!!! Whenever you get the chance!

CAN'T WAIT!!!

Pics please, Rosie. My bellina seedlings and I are living vicariously through you.

:)

Took some pics last night but didn't like the colour in artificial light. Just trying some more now in daylight to see if I prefer them, but I'm also rushing out to work so won't get time to post them till tonight.

OK Rosie! Now you're just being mean! LOL

LOL, actually in the process of choosing my photos now. It's already late evening in my time zone :)

The tension is KILLING me!

:coverlaugh:

Sorry guys, I was not intending to build the tension so much... just hope they are worth it now (well I love them anyway and that's what matters :))

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It's quite white (where it's not pink) in the centre with yellow edges. I think that shows up in the pics, last night's pics looked very yellow/green all over which just wan't accurate, which is why I had to get more today in better light.

WOW!!!!! SPECTACULAR!!!!

Very pretty Rosie. Good Growing.

Al

O-M-G! It's GORGEOUS! I want one so bad!!!
:congrats:

It's a beauty... and when they start to bloom, they never stop! Mine is my most reliable bloomer ! Their spike can grow strangely sometime... it get stuck at the base of the leaf, forcing the spike to grow around, under, over, beside the obstacle... very funny sometime!
Good growing.... Thanks for sharing !

Totally gorgeous and I see you are doing a great job with that new camera!

Rosie - It was well worth the wait. The color saturation is wonderful on the sepals and the shape is just fabulous. Good on you!!

OHHH they are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the pictures are so great Rosie! Im so happy for you!!!! hows the Fragrance?

What a beauty, Rosie. Lucky, lucky you!