Crazy things orchids do

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In October 2015 I received a small Blc. Sweet Silk 'Vanilla Sky' in a surprise box from Carmela Orchids. There is a group photo in this thread:

Carmela Orchids

I quickly put it into semi-hydroponic culture. It took off growing. This is an extremely vigorous and tough plant that reliably breaks multiple leads, and is in near-continuous growth in my warm growing area. If you have struggled with weak Cattleyas in the past, I recommend this one.

It has survived numerous pack rat attacks, but never got big enough to flower before being chomped again.

I looked at it today, and realized the newest lead had turned downward in its 1-quart/liter S/H pot. Maybe it did this to hide from the pack rats.

I unpotted it, and repotted the rhizome at a steep angle. This was the minimum angle to get the lead growing out of the pot, without putting any pressure on the new lead.

[SouthPark]

This one is certainly big enough to flower now ES. Nice work.

I just took a look at some online pics of the flowers from this one. Awesome yellows.

The new lead is great. Will most likely start bending upward naturally later - following the steps of the next door neighbour.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Get 100 spring Traps and set them up like dominoes to protect this beauty

God speed

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There are traps at all the access points.