Thank you! This is one area where it seems my culture is lacking, I really struggle to get plants to clump. This sent up 3 leads last year, but 2 of them stalled out. The main lead is going strong, as you can see in the second photo. I’m slowly ramping up my feeding, hoping that will help, and I’m considering getting some nutricote to top-dress the multis. Any other suggestions?
Yeah, I think I staked it too early the first time, the stem started bulging and twisting like crazy. I “un-staked” it for a while before the final setup. Something else to get better at!
through Orchids magazine as a kid. Really a testament to the selective breeding for vigor and ease of culture over the last few decades.
I can’t claim to be an expert, since I haven't raised a large number from flask, but genetics are only going to be one component. Even with long-petaled parents there are going to be a range of outcomes. The other large component with the long-petal species like Philippinense and Sanderianum is going to be water and humidity. Without high humidity and good, even moisture the petals can stop growing. So even a plant that bloomed previously with very long petals could bloom with short ones if it dries out during bud/flower development. I’ve had my Philly parked next to the humidifier while the buds opened up, and I constantly check it to make sure it doesn’t dry out (it’s in a very sunny, south-facing window). I’m not sure what your conditions are, but I find that growing indoors can present challenges to getting the same flower quality as greenhouse growers, even on the same plant!
Thanks! This is very helpful - my plant is indeed grown indoors. I will try to increase rel hum for the next blooming.
Just fantastic flowers on both your Philip and Roth. Congrats!
