Strange and Exciting

[LouisW]

After about four days alone my orchids decided to do some things to suprise me when I came home. The most notable of the suprises is a bud on this Bulbophyllum Frank Smith (lobbii x carunculatum). Very exiting for me because it is one of the first flowers that i can take full credit for, having owned the plant for about six months. When I transplanted it into S/H it moped for about four months then finaly kicked into grear with two new growths.

Pic 1 is the whole plant.

Pic 2 illustrates two things that are very peculiar though. First the spike is growing form such a young growth which I think is not normal. Second is that the spike is growing for what will be the apex of the bulb like a Cattleya instead of the rhizome under the bulb which is normal for Bulbos.

What do you guys make of this? Ill post pics of the flower(s) when they arive.(B. Frank Smith can have more than one flower per spike, a trait from B. carunculatum)

[digitalgate]

S/H bloom faster and grow faster than normal method. At the expense of majestic bloom while the plant is healthy nothing to worry about. Great stuff

[fred]

what I think of this is good growing
I also think you have a flower spike there on your hands you can take the credit for
congrats

[hulaorchid]

Congrates on your spike!

[benetay]

Congrats, I'm so envious!

Thanks for sharing!

Cheers!

[trinigirl]

Congratulation on reblooming your orchid! You hang in there after so many months waiting for the plant to perk up, and when it did, it really took off. It looks great!

[LouisW]

Thanks trinigirl, you should see the root growth. The new growth that is blooming has about twenty new roots shooting out. Once it gets some new roots into the S/H it should really take off.

Thanks everyone. Certainly am proud (trying not to count my eggs before they hatch) but I am still mystified by the deviances from normal Bulbo. patterns. We will see if it continues and proves to be genetic.

[LouisW]

Is there any explanation out there for this abnormality?

[LouisW]

After doing a little research on the parents of this Bulbo I found that B. carunculatum is multi floral, and I wondered If B. Frank Smith would be as well (it didn't seem that it was from the photos that I saw). Well, after another week of development the bud turned out to be an inflorescence! One bud is beginning to swell and the rest of the spike is going to continue on and produce more buds!!

The excitement continues!!

[LouisW]

A few weeks later:

[Ochin@]

Great pictures, can't wait to see it in bloom....I'll wait patiently...

[trinigirl]

She's looking great so far! Cant wait to see her open!

[fred]

looking good

[benetay]

Yes looking really really good! I'm sure you can't wait for it to open!

Cheers!

[Jirel]

Congrats! I'm excited for you.

[LouisW]

Looks like its picking up a little more red striping than most Frank Smiths. That comes from the B. lobbii parent, perhaps it will have a little more of that cool shape as well. Time will tell.

The New Mexico Orchid Guild annual orchid show is coming up in about three more weeks. Looks like this guy is gonna hit the bulls-eye!

[benetay]

Yes it looks more like a B. lobbii, i love it! Hope it open soon & keep us updated.

Cheers!

[-k-]

Fantastic!!! Can't wait for the next pic!!!

[LouisW]

Here you go -K- it has swelled and flushed a little more red in the last few days. I think it might be getting pretty close to that time!

[LouisW]

Does anyone know how long the flowers last on these? I feel its getting really close to opening, but im hoping it just keeps growing larger for another two weeks, so it will be around for the show.

[kmarch]

I don't think Bulbo flowers last very long. The only bulbo I have had its flowers last about a week.

[LouisW]

Well I guess we are about to find out!!!

[tom499]

A very nice flower! Congratulations =)

[rcb]

Very nice congrats. Does it have a pleasant fragrance?

[LouisW]

Here it is fully open in a nicer photo.

Rcb, ill go and give a sniff right now...

Nope no fragrance quite yet, and if it does develop a fragrance I doubt it will be pleasant.

[Jirel]

GORGEOUS! Not just the flower but also your photograph. That is awesome!

[jim blanford]

Strange & Exciting when I read the name of this thread I think I might open it and see a picture of myself, but all kidding aside the first bloom of your own is exciting, congrads........ Jim.

[LouisW]

I have just entered this plant in the New Mexico Orchid Guild annual orchid show. A first for me! It managed to hold its flower up until now, although the anther cap has turned black and I know its starting to age. I hope it lasts the three day show. I left my house with one orchid to enter into the show and wouldn't you know it, I came home with three orchids!

[Brooke]

Soooooooooooooo, what followed you home?

Brooke

[benetay]

Wow pretty looking flowers! It's worth the wait.

Thanks for sharing.

Cheers!