Paphiopedilum Bud

[Saltlick]

Hello. I recently got a Paphiopedilum, a SuperSuk, RaisinPie to be exact, and the bud doesnt seem to want to open. 2 questions:

1: How long does the bud usually take? Is it slow? My Phaleonopsis popped over night, maybe Im expecting that.

2: Ive heard of the buds never blooming and just falling off. I want to avoid that at all costs.

Any ideas?

[jerrymeola]

This is one of the easier paphs to grow.

The buds can take several weeks to open. Yes buds sometimes fail to open and drop off. It feels terrible but it is part of the life cycle of plants. Keep it in a temperature stable area, do not move it around, keep it out of drafts and be patient. It is also very easy to break the flower stem.

Temperature is a key factor in the time it takes for a bud to open. Cattleyas that normally open in a week were taking 2 months in january when our temperatures were going into the 40s at night. I had a dendrobium that took 3 1/2 months to open.

[taradale]

I'm right there with you Saltlick. I just got my 2nd paph on April 19th and am watching him like a hawk. I truly believe that orchids talk to you with their leaves and this case, the bud seems to have move ever so slightly. Today, his little bud casing seems to have expanded a bit and I can clearly see the color of the enclosed flower. Of course I think I've already blasted the bud and I've made the mistake of moving him outside after our rain storms (no full sun tho).

Mine is a chocolate wardii cross and his grower named him Bill Lawrence, but I'm calling him Wardii .

Keep us posted on your observations and I'll keep you posted on mine. I have no idea how long it takes either. My first paph, a Clair de Lune cross, blasted on me and I now realize I made every mistake in the book - it was winter time and I would put her outside in basically full sun for an hr when it got over 60. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Then bring her back in for shade and constant temperature. Luckily, Clair 'the loon' , the plant seems to very happy in her spring location in a hanging basket oustide with a NE exposure under the deck roof.

Good luck!!

[mayres]

Like Jerry said - it can take literally "weeks" - easily over a month from the time you see it poking it's head out of the leaves. It will slowly grow taller and taller and finally the bud will swell. At this point it can still take 1-2 weeks to fully open. But the good part is I've had them last three months too once they open. Worth the wait to be sure!

[Tommyr]

I have the same paph and it does seem to take forever to open but it's worth the wait! Mine has been in bloom since the beginning of the month. Awesome flower!

Here it is!

[Saltlick]

Lucky. Mines going on 3 weeks, and it still is trying to open. HURRY UP....PLEASE....hehehehe....

[junieg2]

I know this is a newbie question and answer forum, but I have to make a comment instead. I am getting the biggest "kicks" out of reading these posts. I picture a bunch of us with our magnifying specs watching our precious plants for any signs of movement, sickness, or whatever happens next. They're like first born children. I am learning so much about orchids here and enjoying every last post in doing so. Many thanks to all who contribute. jcg

[Tommyr]

Originally Posted by junieg2

I know this is a newbie question and answer forum, but I have to make a comment instead. I am getting the biggest "kicks" out of reading these posts. I picture a bunch of us with our magnifying specs watching our precious plants for any signs of movement, sickness, or whatever happens next. They're like first born children. I am learning so much about orchids here and enjoying every last post in doing so. Many thanks to all who contribute. jcg

LOL! I'm not THAT bad! What I do is basically ignore it, "a watched pot never boils" they say. Over the years I've learned a bit of patients, not much but enough! Like I said, it's worth the wait.

Tom

[dodobaby]

Be patient!
Before I started to grow paphs my favourite was the Cattleya genus.I have about 35 Cattleya species.They are easy to grow plants and all of them bloom regulary, buds open rapidly.The time from breaking through the sheath to opening of bud in usually no longer than 2 weeks. But Paps really drives me crazy!I killed some of mine with overwatering and now I know: less water is better than too much.And buds....my P. goodefroyae bloomed few weeks ago. Bud started to grow at the end of October and opened in February!!!