Trichocentrum splendidum In Spike
 

About this time of year, I start bringing my orchids from the back porch into my screened porch. I keep them in the porch, spray them with insecticidal soap and neem oil. They stay for at least two weeks and/or before the temperature falls below 45*F.

As usual, my Trichocentrum splendidum have started to spike. Here is the one of five divisions/plants that is spiking. This plant is otherwise known as "mule ear". It is an enormous plant--one leaf is two feet in length. When the spike reaches maturity, it will be about five feet in length and it will have a lot of yellow-brown fragrant flowers. This will be around January. The stalk grows about a foot every month.

I'm using this forum to chronicle this plant's progress. My orchid friends have never seen a fully mature, bloom sized Trichocentrum splendidum, so this will be shared with them too. I moved this plant to my breakfast room to take this picture. Once this spike lengthens beyond the height of the plant, the plant and spike become too unwieldy to move.

This plant is pretty hardy but in order to prevent bud blast, the environment has to be warm, humid, moving air. The plant needs bright in-direct light. As it develops the spike I only water it once a week. It does not thrive with wet roots.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/13/rugururu.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/13/umeqepe9.jpg

Nice looking plant, can't wait to see it bloom!

Really liking that! Love those "mule ears"!

Found the pic :D

Wow! That thing is gonna be huge, and totally awesome when it blooms!! I can't wait! :dance13: Good Growing!

That's an impressive Trichocentrum. I don't have that species but I had two Trichocentrum hybrids. One is in bloom now but the other died suddenly, almost overnight. I'm looking to get some more but it's difficult to find them. I'm looking forward to seeing yours in bloom. Good growing.

Trichocentrum splendidum In Spike
 

Hello sbrofio, per your request, a photo of the plant with an iPad -- for comparison!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/13/vajybu8a.jpg

Tucker, this is one of the easiest orchids I have successfully grown. I have had this plant since 1978. It was a very small plant with tidy, upright leaves. It was not in bloom. The clerk told me that they "tended to get larger" as they matured.

Thank you everyone for your encouragement.

PS: Let me clarify my ownership of this plant. The original plant was purchased in 1978. This particular plant was divided from the original in 1995. The original plant had grown into a four foot tower of leaves growing from leaves. I wish I had a picture. I cut up that plant into five divisions so that it can fit in my grow space. This plant was one of them.

oh that's HUGE!!!!!