My first spike!!! and a cattleya question

[electric.chowder]

I have my first spike! It's tag says "Phal. Amab Lis" (but the "s" is cut off half way) "Color:W" "4/18/06". (this plant it 1&2) I think (based on web searches) it's Phal. amabilis, which seems to be a popular lowes plant (where I got it), though feel free to correct if I am incorrect. The spike has gotten to about an inch long and I can notice growth almost daily. I was just wondering when should I stake the spike? and what do you all us to attach it to the stake, those little butterfly clips or twist ties or anything else?

Nextly, I have a mini cattleya Sc. Crystelle Smith "Gold Throat" (last two pictures). The two leaves that are showing the most in the first picture is the newest growth to develop (and four more coming ). This is my first cattleya, and only one until two days ago, but I was curious as to where I would look for a flower spike once it starts to form?

Thanks!

-chowder

[ogus]

how exciting!! of my 3 that were in bloom, 2 are flowerless now.. but that Dtps. Laurel Lea Baldan is going ever so strong.. one thing I love about phal. that their flowers last so long.

I am sure it's going to be as beautiful flowers as that little spike..

[Vivienne]

ogus - I have a Dtps. Laurel Lea Baldan too - GORGEOUS. I bought it in bloom back in May and at that time it had a second spike full of buds. It just finished blooming last week!

[Orchidflowerchild]

Most plants in the Laeliinae (Cattleyas and relatives) have terminal inflorescences, which means that they will come from between the leaves, at the end of a pseudobulb. Many Cattleya types have inflorescences subtended by a basal sheath, which is similar to a thin leaf that does not unfold and the buds begin to develop inside that protective sheath, then eventually pop out of the end and eventually open.

Be aware cattleya types need considerably more light than Phals.

-Cj

[brookn]

Hi, I noticed that all of the phals at lowe's were labeled Phal. Amabilis or Phal. Wedding Promenade. I don't think that those are the correct names. Phal. amabilis is a species, so when it blooms, if you can get a close up of the bloom, someone will be able to help you identify if it is possibly amabilis. I know that kmarch will know something about this. I have a few plant from Lowe's and they are growing nicely for me good luck.

Laurel Lea Baldan is gorgeous, I want one of those for my collection.

If you do a search, look for cattleya sheath, ther are a couple of threads that show where the spike will start.

[brookn]

A good example of a catt. sheath can be found here:

On the Horizon

[kmarch]

brookn is correct, Phal. amabilis is a species. There's no hybrid named Phal. Amabilis.

electricchowder, your Phal. Amab Lis is probably Phal. amabilis.