Vanda Rasri Gold x Ascda Anant with cut three top leaves

The second to the top leaf had a rot at the base all the way to the stem. Without knowing it, I accidentally bent the leaf and opened a wound as water got in and rotted it. I just had to cut the three top leaves to eradicate the rot. The mother plant must have been shocked: it not only bloomed it also produced a baby...its fragrance is like the smell of anise seeds and banana...I had to bring it down street level at the back of the apartment building for the photoshoot, and it had a friendly visitor. A praying mantis! So cool ! The mantis stayed till I had to bring the plant up to my apartment...I have a new roomate!

[BGGraham1]

Make sure he/she pays the rent on time!!

Beautiful orchid, by the way!

[katrina]

Is this the same mantis and plant you posted on Joyce's thread the other day or a new visitor?

Love the PMs! Thanks for sharing!

Yes Katrina, thanks.... I posted the mantis pics on Joyce's thread in honor of her first mantis...I didnt want to rain on her parade. But I needed to show my cut top mother and her child...and she also has this amazing color blooms and its just deliciously fragrant.

[katrina]

Gotcha! I thought at first a new PM but wasn't sure.

[Brooke]

You are really lucky to have an apartment in Manhattan with grass in the backyard. Most people have to go to Central Park to see anything green

It looks like you have a new leaf peaking out - not only do you have a big basal growth but it appears you have new growth from the rotted out area

Brooke

[otis 226]

Nice plant and great bloom color. I really like the Ascocendas.
Tony

@Brooke, yes...thanks for getting that to my attention; its a new leaf but its going to be crooked and the simmetry of the vandacious leaf line formation will be deformed. But I cant complain...as long as the mother and child is alive and healthy. I decided not to separate the child ... I think if the mother and child blooms its going to be a spectacular show ! Oh thats not the backyard. Its the back of the building where the trash is picked up and they hide it by making a patch of grass in the sidewalk area with the trash bins hidden by iron bars...we pay for the maintenance of the trees, grass and tulips in the spring. The middle island across the street also have grass but its all browning from the heatwave.