Premature growths spiking. Why?
 

Hello everyone.

I have noticed lately on a few of my paphiopedilums that some of the smaller immature growths have been sending up spikes and flowers for no apparent reason. Has anyone else had this problem with their plants? I noticed today that my paph venustum var album is in spike again on the tiny second growth that is only 2-3 inches with two leaves. I find this to be quite annoying since the plant never seems to grow any lush foliage and instead seems to be in constant rush to flower. If anyone has any suggestions or possible explanations as to why or how to prevent it that would be great.

Thank you.

Heres a few pictures of the plant in bloom a few months ago and in spike now.

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k...3_edited-4.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k...t/DSCF0001.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k...t/DSCF0002.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k...t/DSCF0003.jpg

Well, I wish I had this problem, whatever it is!

I'm with you JK!!!

I would say, just a sign of modernity in the orchids world... as in our society, 50 years boys and girls became sexually active at an average age of 18-20, and now the do it at 12-14 :D

just kidding, I don'r know exactly why that happened to your plants, but I could assume that they are just happy and well nourished, and can afford to have those premature bloomings without stress...

Thats just the problem, the plants keep blooming and don't ever grow any vegetation past whats already there. they just move right on to the next bloom and don't rest enough to store anything as far as food to nourish the newest growths. These plants also seem to have very limited root systems so i'm not sure where they keep getting the energy to flower in this manner.

I've noticed that some paphs tend to send up their spikes as the new growths start to develop and that the growths continue to develop while the plant is blooming and afterward and it seems to be no problem. In the end the growths are sufficient to support the plant and the next blooming. Whether this is the result of artificial conditions or of some anomaly in indoors growthing conditions I have no idea, but your plant looks healthy and there seems little reason to be worried.

update
 

I thought i would update whoever with the new flower, its almost all the way open, I noticed some black pepper flakes tat were absent from the first flowering that make me wonder but other than that the flower is the same size and looks like its going to be the same shape as the first. I am watching the newest growth emerge from the side and hoping it gets full sized before it tries to bloom. :pray:

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k...327_edited.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k...328_edited.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k...328_edited.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k...325_edited.jpg