Articuno75's Naples Nights

[articuno75]

The Phal Naples Nights has what appears to be a spike?! I tried to get a pic, but my camera just refused to get that kind of close up. I will try again. This is really exciting and I really need you guys to see for confirmation. So far watering schedule is every four days.

[articuno75]

It's a spike! I think???

[Vivienne]

Looks like a spike to me too!

Off I go to scour my Phal NN for signs of a spike. LOL

[Sharyn]

Looks like a spike to me too. Cross fingers! You may be the first with a flower.

[articuno75]

I stare at the spike and like I say.

Watching water boil with no heat on

She's still looking good though...

[patticake]

It looks like a spike to me too, Jenny! Good luck. Mine has a similar bump.... It isn't moving, though!

[articuno75]

I noticed that some of my roots are not doing to great and the medium is "settling", causing bad spots/rot in these areas. I've never had this happen before. I use Aussie Mix with added coco husk chips. I was thrown for a loop and can't figure out what's going on. The only thing I can think of is that the little 2" pot is tall and not short.

Any one else have this situation come about?

I have trimmed the roots and repotted today into bark/perlite/charcoal with hydroton on bottom. Something more free draining, but will just have to water more often.

[articuno75]

Still has the nub/spike and leaves are softer and slightly pliable. No change in the nub though. Poot.

[kid a]

oh dang! I hope it gets growing and the leaves get better!

[Normkp]

It's interesting that so many of us have had leaves go soft or limp with the Napes Nights. I'm going to start a thread on mine quite soon, but my short story is this: I got two of them from Jerry. One I left in sphagnum until a few days ago. Its leaves remained firm. The other had two of its four leaves go frighteningly limp. I moved it to S/H out of a blind hope that something different would help. And it did! The leaves have gotten firm again--still in their drooped postures--but firm.

So keep the faith. This is a plant that like to scare us, but you can expect it will come back.

[articuno75]

With all of the limp issues and problems I thought long and hard about temps, lighting and everything. After a couple of weeks of hearing other members and having my own issues and then with Jirel's plant death, well I took some evasive action.

I repotted the Phal into total spagh/perlite/charcoal and into a clay pot. I also moved it as close to the window as I can get it without it kissing the glass.

My results are good. The plant has grown new roots and perked up a lot. The spike still hasn't budged. Temps stay mid 70s humidity bounces. (40%-60%). NO LIMP LEAVES!!!

I'll have a pic up soon.

[patticake]

Yay!! Now that the leaves are doing well, it's only a matter of time before that spike pops into action!

[articuno75]

Here are the pics of the improvement

[patticake]

Yay! Your "bump" is getting bigger! I really think the light is the key- More light than most Phals- (but not like Catts) It looks really good, Jenny!

[myorchid]

My newer Naples Night with the spike is in higher light and doing great. The buds are getting bigger.

I have moved the sad Naples Night with the limp leaves around, trying to find the best place for it. After reading this, and Jenny's improvement, I put mine back into the high light area with the one in spike, maybe the spiking one will help him out!!!

I hope it does better!

[articuno75]

Not only did I get improvement, it spit a new leaf at me I think the spike either stalled or it just altogether failed. It hasn't moved since I found it. Patti, I think I scared it to death.

At least I have a leaf

[myorchid]

That is great! I love Naples Nights It is my favorite Phal!

I bet it won't be too long before a spike takes off, it just wanted another leaf first!

[patticake]

Oh, wow! I haven't seen any sign of a new leaf on mine! How odd. Maybe it thinks it bloomed. The new leaf looks great, btw!

[Bird Song Farm]

Originally Posted by articuno75

Not only did I get improvement, it spit a new leaf at me I think the spike either stalled or it just altogether failed. It hasn't moved since I found it. Patti, I think I scared it to death.

At least I have a leaf

New leaves are so darn cute! Your plant looks very happy!
Al

[patlee]

Well, I put mine in higher light, after reading all of the success stories posted here. The problem is that I went from one floppy leaf to two, but I also got a new leaf The plant is sending mixed messages and I'm just watching and waiting for the next thing she does She has got me thoroughly confused

[articuno75]

The new leaf looks really good.

The Plant overall looks awesome!!!

The "what should have been a spike" went kapoot. (I did scare it to death, LOL)

Still looks good though

[Bird Song Farm]

Mmmmmmm, a happy plant!!!
Al

[articuno75]

Well it looks like what should have been spikes are roots, so I have a mega rooted Naples Nights. This thing is doing great and I have been doing the same thing except that I have been giving more Superthrive this past month.

Maybe that's why they turned into roots, LOL

[patticake]

It's looking good! It should bloom like mad next year!!

[rodbender]

Its lookin good Now hurry and get it to bloom.

[Sharyn]

The first new root that came in started out just like yours, a purple nub. I had hoped that it was a spike. After it grew about 1/2 inch, it started to change to a velum color. Second growth, same thing. So I have two nice healthy roots, a third starting, one new leaf and still waiting for a spike.

Yours looks nice and healthy. With the cooler evenings here in the Midwest, we may luck out and get a spike soon. Do you know the normal blooming time for this one? I know that some of the member's received theirs in spike and have since flowered.

[articuno75]

I think these normally bloom between now and late fall, but don't know for sure. Jerry would know.

[kid a]

I'm still waiting on a spike too! I have new roots another new leaf but no spike yet. I can't wait for it too cool down a bit hopefully that will help!

[FLaCo]

Plenty of roots over here...no spike. Although, I will take anything new at this point roots, leaves or spikes..whatever...as long as it is healthy.

[jerrymeola]

All Phals bloom on the temperature changes. I would not expect much in the summer.

Blooming should be either early winter or early spring.

Many of the ones we started with for this project had buds already set. The ones that did not still have some time to go.

[Vivienne]

Thanks Jerry. Mine has put on new leaves which are gorgeous, and new roots, but no spike yet.

[christinek]

I can't wait to see pics of this orchid when it blooms.. By the color of the plant in general.. Looks like the flowers are going to just beautiful!

[articuno75]

I think Patticake has this one in bloom already.

[articuno75]

No change, no spikes, no nothin'. LoL The spagh started to turn a little so I gave it some fresh goods.

The roots are fantastic on it, all nice and fat. Not a single bad root in the bunch.

So with fresh medium, we'll see if she spits a spike.

[patticake]

It looks great, Jenny. When it does spike, it will be a good one!!

[Bird Song Farm]

It's looking really great Jenny, you should see some action this winter.
AL

[patlee]

Now you're all making me nervous My N.N. looks good, but does not compare in size to yours, Jenny. I have four good leaves, nice plump roots with the red tips and a quarter-inch spike with another nubby thing on the way. So far, so good, but the spikes can turn too often and I'm just gonna hope for the best
You told me to give it more light,Jenny, and that seems to be working. I even have a new leaf coming along with all the other signs of growth...This is the right time for it to spike and if you're giving yours light and water(and it's one healthy looking orchid!!), it's got to bloom sooner or later. Here's hoping that both of us get a nice Christmas surprise

[articuno75]

Pics of Naples Night. Fabulous roots and another awesome leaf !!!

If only a spike....

[patticake]

It looks awesome, Jenny! A little more patience....

[shiningrock]

Good growing. It looks great!!

[mayres]

Those are great fat/plump looking roots! Looks like you got the sphag media figured out. I believe these plants are summer bloomers (?), so maybe we'll all get some spikes starting in a few months?

[trinigirl]

Your plant looks really healthy and happy. I bet it will bloom this spring.

[berkeleysgr8]

I had one Naples Nights seedling that had two spikes on it's first bloom. I hope yours will reward you with lots of gorgeous blooms!

[articuno75]

I got dew drops on the bottom of my leaves, and it ain't from moisture!!!

MITES!!!!! Ebil little critters. I've been invaded! I had to spray EVERYTHING for assurance.

[trinigirl]

Sorry to hear about the mites! I haven't heard anything good about them. Do you happen to have a pic of what the dew drops look like?

[articuno75]

Yes here they are. I would have declared it a happy plant if it wasn't for the tale tale sign of the cob webs.

[kid a]

Oh no! Poor naples But it still looks good

[brookn]

Oh ebil debils!!! Kill them all I say!

[berkeleysgr8]

I'm dealing with those evil, evil little mites too. Grrr!