Cathy Beck Spike?

[solay]

My Cathy Beck is down to just one bud now. I got it from Jerry earlier this month with at least 4 buds. At first I thought it was bud blast but now I think it may be a bug. Any how I'm posting some pics. for opinions. Also today I noticed a tiny bump coming in. Is this a spike?

Also my Prosthechea/Epi. Green Hornet is in sheath and I see something coming out now.

[kid a]

OH it does look a bug was the culprit, poor Cathy :-( I think it could be a spike but still to early for me to be sure I haven't had mine or seen anyone's that keikied up there. Hopefully it's another spike!

[patticake]

My Prosthechea- Green Hornet is in spike again... it will reward you, I promise!! Just be good to her, and keep her moist while she's getting ready to spike. Den. Cathy Beck, is a good one, she just didn't like being transferred at this time. She'll come back, just be patient.

[mgfree]

Hi Solay,

That definately looks like another spike coming on your Cathy Beck.

[solay]

Thanks. I'm hoping it's a spike too. I got so excited when I saw it I got my husband to go in the GH to take a look.

He thought I was nuts to be able to spot such a little tiny thing with my poor eye sight and all. LOL!!! He doesn't know I stare and inspect them every chance I get.

[mgfree]

Originally Posted by solay

He thought I was nuts to be able to spot such a little tiny thing with my poor eye sight and all. LOL!!! He doesn't know I stare and inspect at them ever chance I get.

Your not the only one. I spend a good 2 hours a day inspecting mine.

I have a Den. superbiens that had the same thing. At first I wasn't getting my hopes up thinking it was a spike, but it turned out to be. I've attached a pic below of when it first popped out. It now has 10 buds ready to open any day.

[patticake]

I just looked at the pictures again...I think it's going to be a new spike on Cathy! Yay! I didn't even see that picture last night.

[Brooke]

Your bud damage is typical of thrip damage to buds. They "suck" the life out of blooms and they drop off.

On the upside, congrats on the new spike :>)

Brooke

[solay]

Yay for spikes. Can't wait to see the blooms on the Den. Mgfree.

Thirps! Now what? I should spray with insecticidal soap again or will the cinnamon mix work?

[articuno75]

You can use either. Also wormtea will rid them. Remember that you have to be vigilate about this! Spray every three days for a couple weeks to break the cycle and rid them.

[solay]

OK. Thanks Jenny.

[jerrymeola]

Jenny gave you the right advice about thrips. It is one of the reasons I spray with worm tea regularly.

I have gotten into the habit of spraying all my buds AND flowers with worm tea. Spraying the flowers keeps more moisture in the flowers and improves their appearance. I started this at shows where flowers tend to dry out. Worm tea spraying has saved many a flower for me.

This time of year my flowering purchases from Hawaii are coming from much cooler conditions to my 'still' 80+ heat. Flowers and buds can dry out easily.

My Sharry Babies this week came in with almost fully flowered spikes 3 feet long and branching. They look great but a few dried out flowers makes customers reluctant to buy them. Spraying with worm tea every day has caused the flowers to open and flatten better than the ones I had in the greenhouse. The color even looks more intense but maybe that is just me.

My Sharry Baby x Ruffles hybrid (patent pending) was not sprayed regular and many buds are failing to open and the spikes are not branching. This appears to be a heat and humidity issue. My grower in Hawaii is not having this problem and we are comparing notes. She is considering holding the plants longer to where the branching and bud growth is further along. Here to we are now going to spray daily and see if the results are different. This is an important new hybrid. Multiple spikes. branching, and leaves that do not have the black spots of Sharry Baby. Its chocolate scent is a little lighter than the original.

Solary
As to your second spike - it probably is - my plants are going into their second set of flowers - I have 10 of 40 setting spikes for the second time. Blooming season for Cathy Beck is October to February so mine were very early. Cathy Beck is a Canaculatum type and three or more flowerings a year are common.

[PhalPal]

I like cinnamon spray better than insect soap. Eventually the soap makes the leaves look waxy and dull; the cinnamon spray keeps them glossy and wears off better.