Phal. bellina

[Phalguy]

Hello again!

Finally, mine opened yesterday... Here it is:



Claude

[jkofferdahl]

Very nice, Claude!

[greenbean]

Congrats on a wonderful first bloom, John! What a lovely little phal!

I'm still waiting for that bastianii to bloom for me. I think I can see itsy-bitsy buds forming inside the tip of the spike. I think I'm watching it so closely that I must be scaring it. The leaf it was growing when you sent it has grown at least 2 inches though, and the roots have started growing nicely, so I must be doing something right. I repotted the stuartiana and it seems to have a new root tip growing somewhere everytime I look at it. I just love them both!

Ok, back to topic. Sorry for the poorly placed update, but I figured since I was here I might as well tell you how things are going.

Your bellina is bellissimo!

[jkofferdahl]

Hi Evan! I've been wondering how that bastianii was coming along. Two of my remaining three bloomed, very nicely, and the third should be large enough to bloom next season. Yours will pop open before you know it, I'm sure. When it does, post a picture!

This bellina has a second bud ALMOST ready to open now, and I enjoy sniffing the flower each morning.

[quiltergal]

Both beauties John and Claude! I love bellina, but as luck would have it I don't actually own one yet. I do have a primary hybrid of violacea x bellina which started blooming about 2 weeks ago. It's pretty and it smells nice but it's not bellina! It may end up on the classified page.

[orchid-eric]

That's awesome! I really love the shape and color of these.

Eric

[orchid-eric]

oops

[luckygrower]

I have one,that I was told when purchased was bellina, that I raised from a seedling, that is now in spike,I hope it blooms this year and blooms true

[catgrrrl]

Hello, everyone with bellinas. These are beautiful! I hope mine survives and flowers. I have heard so much about the fragrance. I got one 2 weeks ago from Norman's and while it is in bud, it hasn't really budged. I was wondering... My leaves seem to be kind of thin and very shiny - almost waxy. They aren't like my other phals. Is this normal for this plant? I tried to wipe them with a damp cloth, but that shine just keeps shining on. If this is not normal, do you think it's harming the little guy and should I try to get it off? (I think I read something about a dilution of lemon juice and water to clean leaves - or something like that...)

Thanks so much for any thoughts/advice you may have.

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by catgrrrl

Hello, everyone with bellinas. These are beautiful! I hope mine survives and flowers. I have heard so much about the fragrance. I got one 2 weeks ago from Norman's and while it is in bud, it hasn't really budged. I was wondering... My leaves seem to be kind of thin and very shiny - almost waxy. They aren't like my other phals. Is this normal for this plant? I tried to wipe them with a damp cloth, but that shine just keeps shining on. If this is not normal, do you think it's harming the little guy and should I try to get it off? (I think I read something about a dilution of lemon juice and water to clean leaves - or something like that...)

Thanks so much for any thoughts/advice you may have.

Your description sounds quite normal. I'm sure your plant is fine. Sometimes a plant in bud can be moved to a new home and the spike/buds seem to go dormant. It could get going again today or tomorrow, or maybe not until next month or longer. Be patient and it'll reward you!