Aspasia keiki?

[snowballsarebad]

I have an aspasia, labelled aspasia punctata (though I'm not sure that punctata exists, I can find no references to it). Just returned from Christmas break, I noticed it has what appear to be to very tiny keikis starting. I didn't know they do this! There are 7 adult pseudobulbs, the largest being about five inches, all leafless, and three small new growths. Two of the pseudobulbs have the very tiny 'keikis' starting, at the very top, where I assume the leaves once were. One even has a tiny root.
This made me very curious! Is it normal? Will anything else spring from these old pseudobulbs?
I am having trouble finding any good, in depth information on aspasias. Can anybody help me?

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

It has been a lot of years since I grew an Aspasia. It did not bloom for me, but reviewing Baker's notes on the genus as a whole, I can see I was growing it too bright. Light should be 1500 to 2300fc, close to Phal light. Temps vary but most are I to W. Looks like they can be watered pretty well while growing, but after that it seems to depend on the species. So I would probably let it get close to dry in winter when not growing, but not completely dry, until you find specific info on yours. Also a note there about not letting the mix get stale or soggy. Good luck.

[snowballsarebad]

Cynthia, thanks for the info! I've probably got it in too bright of light...though it seems to be doing quite well, and there is a phal thriving under the same light. I'll move it off my main bench and see how it goes. And I guess I'll keep watering it well, though it is winter, to keep those new growths going. But will it need a rest some time?
Thanks!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I can't say, since we don't know the specifics for that plant. Resting is not always in winter, it would seem. But I think I would not let this guy stay dry for any length of time. And if, after a few years of growing well, it doesn't bloom, you can start to experiment.

[BillC]

Hi Snowball, very coincidentally, there is a sea slug - Aplysia punctata, which you can see on www.seaslugforum.net which perhaps will explain the 'punctata' part of your plant's name. The general translation is Spotted.