Bellatulum Opening Up!
 

I knew I wanted an orchid because it would make me happy, but I had NO idea it would make me THIS happy!!

My little bella is opening up and each day it brings me more joy. So pretty. And now the brassia has 6 more buds and is working on a 7th.

I'm going to make a confession now. Besides watering and feeding them some orchid food, I'm a bad orchid owner. I was worried because I don't really have the right environment for orchids. I read a bunch of books and got freaked out. I don't have a greenhouse or anything. During the day, I let the AC in my apartment sit at 82 degrees (which I'm sure is not the best for the kitties, let alone the orchids). I live in Chicago and it's pretty hot here. Then I come home and enjoy a few hours of AC before I set the living room AC back at 82 for the night. I have a separate AC in my bedroom that keeps me cool while I sleep. I'm pretty broke, so I have to keep the energy costs down this way. Anyway, I'm telling you all of this info so that anyone who is freaked out about not having the right environment for an orchid will realize that miracles can happen. :cheer:

Sometimes, the orchids will grow and bloom anyway, even if you don't follow the perfect instructions. :biggrin:

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...bellaopen1.JPG
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...bellaopen2.JPG
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...rassiabuds.JPG

Everyone's conditions are different and you have found a way to make your situation work for you and what you grow.

There is never only one way to do things.

Good growing.:biggrin:

Saw your post about the browning. What it looks like is the bud got some damage while it was forming. It will not be the best looking flower (due to the brown) but I do not think it will affect the opening of the flower.

Yes, I'm thinking it might have been water. :( I will be sure not to let that happen next time! But I'm going to go ahead and shower her with love and praise anyway so she doesn't feel bad about her pimple. Hee hee.

That's one tall and straight spike too! Great looking spike. paph bellatulum seem to have short curved spikes usually

hey do you guys think it is a paph niveum possibly?
The blooms looks very white without purple blotches, and the way the spike is held upright makes me think this way.
If it is a bellatulum and not a niveum, then it is a bellatulum var alba because of the absence of spotting.

There is a little bit of spotting. I've had trouble capturing it in photos, but this morning I put her in natural light and got a better view. Then you had me all curious, so I went and found the label that came with the plant. It says:

Paph. bellatulum 'Sugar Spots' X Paph. bellatulum 'Pepper Top'

So I guess I've had a little hybrid this whole time without realizing it. This doesn't surprise me at all since I'm a true beginner. :biggrin:

Here are some shots I took this morning that show the spots better. I also took one from the side to show that the flower is actually leaning. The spike is pretty straight, but leaning. I've seen pictures of other ones where they are all droopy and I wasn't sure if I was supposed to support it with a stick or anything, but it doesn't seem to be hitting the floor yet... yet.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...s/sadpetal.JPGhttp://www.orchidboard.com/community...aningbella.JPG

Way to go Blondie! I'm sure next years bloom will be perfect. In your second picture it looks like the spike is reaching for the light.

Sorry Blondie, but your Paph is not a bellatulum whatever it says on the label.

Weng

Hmmm... :scratchhead: What is it then?

I know what it is .. :hmm
it's a pretty little thing :D

Until proven decisively we will go with what it says on the label. The label does NOT indicate that it is a hybrid. If you notice it is bellatulum x bellatulum. The names in the quotes are just that, cultivar names that growers use to differentiate between different plants. Each plant can have its own cultivar name.

YOU can name your plant whatever you want to as long as no one else has used it. I am not exactly sure how you would figure that out though.

Very interesting... so much to learn. For now, I will just call her Bella. She seems to be answering to that right now. :biggrin:

Your Paphiopedilum is actually the species Paphiopedilum niveum. There is no other that looks like this, not even the new species Paph. thaianum.

Paph. niveum is a low elevation native to the Langkawi Islands in Malaysia. This species typically will bloom May-July, and likes heavier watering after blooming until Sept. or Oct. Paph. niveum will tolerate low amounts of light, but likes to be in brighter conditions. Give warmer temperatures for this species.

That's about all there is I know about it! Here is mine for comparison. Note that this species is somewhat variable.

Paphiopedilum niveum
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...n/S5001514.jpg

-Pat

EDIT: Thought that I would add that vegetatively, you plant resembles a Paph. bellatulum. The solid purple and slight waviness is typical for Paph. bellatulum, which can fool one to think it was that species out of bloom. However, yours is really Paph. niveum. The primary hybrid between both of those species is Paph. Psyche, which is significantly different. ;)

OK, now there seems no doubt. Your plant and my plant look exactly alike (except that whole burnt petal thing on mine...)

Which leads me to the thought--why would a really great greenhouse make a labeling boo boo? I suppose human error is always there, no matter who you are. Everyone can make a mistake, eh?

Thank you for helping me figure out what my plant is. I will move it into more light since I thought it didn't need as much--oops!

Blondie, I think Weng is right. This my Paph. bellatulun it opened this week. It looks different then what you have I know mine is correct. Sorry, Jim.

That flower is so pretty! I think I'm going to have to get one, which means (eek) that I might be becoming an orchid hoarder...:banana:

Hey Blondie,

You don't need a greenhouse to grow orchids! So many do really well in the home, and considering the fact that you are flowering (apparently) a Paph. niveum (which being a Brachy species is not the easiest Paph to grow), you're probably on the right track!