paph hsinying maru x incantation flower?
 

Curiosity is driving me nuts so I have to ask a truly newbie question :) I picked up this paph hsinying maru x incantation at a tiny orchid greenhouse last spring while visiting my parents. The lady only had small plants so I have no idea what this plant looks like in bloom. I also haven't found any bloom photos online so it's going to be a fun surprise when it happens! The plant came with what I think is a small sunburn area on it which you can see on the lower right leaf in the picture but seems to be very happy where I currently have it and is sending up something out of the center of the plant. Is it a leaf? but it's very dark, or.. could it be a .... flower? :pray: I haven't been lucky enough to see very many of these in person in bloom so I'm pretty excited here (yes, everyone currently at home has been shown the plant) At the very least if it is a leaf it means it's happy and a flower will happen in the future :dance:

Thank you!

hiCat , yes you,re paph is going to bloom. judging fron the darker leaf colour it,s probably going to be a darker type. make sure no water gets into the centre where the bud emerges or it might blast

Yes! It's happy! It's going to bloom :dance: it's so exciting! I'll make sure no water gets in the center. Thank you so much for letting me know. :D

Paph. Hsinying Maru (Paph. Ruby Mist x Paph. Macabre)
Both parents are dark maudiea paphs
Paph. Incantation (Paph. Voodoo Magic x Paph. Red Maude)
Again both are dark spotted maudiea parents

However almost all paphs are grown from seed. Seeds can vary from very light to almost black in the same batch from the same seed pod.

Growing small paphs to flowering size can be very difficult. Congradulations on a good job.

It must have felt the love of this beginner :love: The parents are gorgeous. I didn't realize there could be such variation from paph seedlings so no matter what it will be a surprise what the flower looks like. Exciting! Thanks again :)

Definitely a bud sheath, Cat! Congrats!! Nice growing! However, now is when your patience will *really* be tested. Paph spikes grow, and the buds open, VERRRRRY slowly! Can't wait to see what yours looks like!

I'd read it could take a long time but couldn't find a picture online that looked like what I had. That's why I had to ask now because curiosity was truly driving me nuts! Now I'm sure and not just hoping through the wait! :)