Haraella retrocalla spike watch

[naturalistSean]

Originally Posted by Shadeflower

Looking good Sean.
I was hopeful mine would copy yours but it looks like the new nubbin growing on mine is just a root

Roberta might be on to something. Perhaps that is a young spike poking out from behind the leaf.

It appears mine will have just a single flower but I'm looking forward to discover if this one is pleasantly fragrant or not.

[naturalistSean]

Another 6 days and it still slowly swells. I'll be going on holiday for 2 weeks starting Saturday and will take this tiny plant along with. Hopefully the 9 hour drive doesn't shock it too badly!

[Shadeflower]

Mine possibly is producing a flower spike after all, I will let it develop a bit more.

If I remember correctly the swelling stage lasts about 4 weeks although yours is looking quite plump after 2 weeks already.

[naturalistSean]

I've been on holiday in Austria. This little orchid has come along and suffered every abuse but still hangs on. 9 hour car ride in the heat, squashed by a young boy and variations in temperature including very hot weather. Here is a photo from June 15th and another from today.

[Shadeflower]

looking great sean,
It has made me want to do well again with mine although unlike Roberta I really don't like the smell so I will be curious to see what you think of yours. It will remind you of lemon but either in a good way or not. To me it's like a dusty lemon scent that takes my breath away.
Ps: mine was only producing a root in the end! but this week it has also started on a flower spike so I am circling the 20th August for my bloom. If you are lucky your's will produce a nother flower after the first has finished which it often does.

[naturalistSean]

Thanks Shadeflower. I'm very curious to discover what, if any, scent this one produces.
This morning it is opening up so I shouldn't have to wait much longer.

[naturalistSean]

Tragedy struck a couple of days after the last post when my wife accidentally knocked the plant off the wall. It sustained a good deal of damage and the flower subsequently fell off.

Prior to this it started to produce a faint chemical-lemon scent.

At any rate it was 63 days from barely discernible spike nub to bloom.

Perhaps this will be of interest for anyone prowling the internet for information about this species.

[Shadeflower]

Aw sean, sorry to hear.
Hope its ok that it flowers again next year.

[Roberta]

I think that it will be a lot less than a year to flower if not too badly damaged. Even the spike that lost the flower could surprise you.

[naturalistSean]

Thanks Shadeflower and Roberta. Ah, accidents happen. It's my good fortune to have a wife who is ever indulgent of my various eccentric interests (I've been known to break off mid-conversation to investigate passing insects). Even if she occasionally bumps off an orchid. As happens an international move appears imminent. This poor abused plant may come along for the trip!