Haraella retrocalla spike watch - Orchid Board

naturalistSean · #1 05-27-2021, 05:44 AM

Edit: Moderators/Administrators I've misplaced this post. It should rather be in Vanda Alliance - Others. Apologies.

I'm posting this for the benefit of other neophyte growers who are interested in the progression of this easy to grow miniature species. The first photo of the early spike is from 19 April, the second photo is from today, 27 May, so 38 days between. I mounted this on cork bark and it is hung on the wall in conditions that are probably not as humid as it would prefer. This is the first spike produced by this plant. More photos to come..

Roberta · #2 05-27-2021, 06:46 PM

Moved... A totally delightful little species.

SADE2020 · #3 05-27-2021, 07:10 PM

I love to discovery new blooms, specifically in the tiny ones

Catpainter · #4 05-27-2021, 09:21 PM

lovely little plant!!! can't wait to see the bloom(s)!

naturalistSean · #5 06-02-2021, 08:21 AM

6 days later and the bud is slowly swelling.

Shadeflower · #6 06-02-2021, 06:20 PM

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 · #7 06-02-2021, 06:29 PM

Quote:

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

Maybe... what is peeking out of the leaf could still be a spike, though you may be able to see root-ish-ness that doesn't show in the photo. But the more roots, the stronger the plant... when the flowers DO show up, their fragrance is wonderful - and not miniature.

Shadeflower · #8 06-02-2021, 07:38 PM

It's flowered for me before. Wasn't very strong smell which is why I moved it to a shadier spot to free up space but have freed some space for it by hanging it on a wall now.
Compared to my phalaenopsis violacea the smell is hardly noticeable and that isn't even my strongest phal, I just mention that one because today was the hottest day of the year (third one already) and my violacea hit me with a smell bomb I've never experienced before, practically too powerful to be near today.

Leafmite · #9 06-03-2021, 01:42 AM

Some Haraella rectrocalla are strongly fragrant (lemon polish) and some are not, unfortunately, or are very faintly fragrant.

camille1585 · #10 06-03-2021, 02:49 AM

I agree, I've had several plants over the years (and gave up after failing to keep one alive more than 2 years) and they all varied in frgrance. My best was the first plant, which had the strongest fragrance and smelled of freshly squeezed lemons. The next was equally fragrant, but has a more chemical/artificial lemon scent. The third was barely fragrant at all...