mottle leaf paphiopedilum premature buds - help
 

Okay so, I have been growing a malipoense and linleigh koopowitz paph for years now, summering them outside, medium shade but subjected to the high tempts of east coast summers, and never had a problem. This year, strangely, my linleigh koopowitz had two growths which have already started to bloom, i can see the bud. Strangely, the growths themselves are FAR from complete, like barely having really leafed out. Usually the leaf span is 6 inches on either side, 12 wide total, and they are still basically furled with only about an inch of leaf on either side out but still getting ready to bud? WHAT HAPPENED?

They're happy?

The growths appear very much incomplete which is not typical. Are you saying this is normal?

Flowers? I'll take them any time.

I think weather has been weird everywhere. Where I live, we had an exceptionally cool spring that lasted into July... and I have many plants blooming 4-6 weeks later than they have historically. And others that bloomed early or more than once. Go figure...

on established multi growth paphs I have seen buds on growths that are not "full-sized". since they are all healthy plants with good roots I just figured the plant doesn't need to make a large growth and has enough juice to push up flowers.

on the other hand, if a sickly plant is pushing up a bud, it is probably trying to find a way to propagate before croaking.