So disappointing!

[s1214215]

I know its a poor consolation, but you take amazing pics Dot.

I am sure you will get better results next time.. Trial and error is a good part of orchid growing in my opinion.

Brett

 

[NYEric]

Leaves look stressed, too hot or too dry. Better luck next time.

 

[SlipperFan]

Can you get some sphagnum to grow on the pot?

Shudder!!!

I know that is disappointing but my guess is the plant is just too small to support the blooms.

Interesting observation. It is a small plant

What's the temperature Dot?

Bummer! This is your first summer in the greenhouse. Could it be heat stress? It could be caused by the ambient air temperature; or, direct sun on the buds; or, the root system going too dry for too long. Whaddya think?......Any of these possible?

All possible. Nights have been about 68-70ºF while the buds were forming, and daytimes have been in the high 80s/low 90's -- but with lots of air circulation, so it doesn't feel that bad. There has been sun shining on the plant/buds (about half strength from full sun outside) for about 4 hours in the afternoon. I'm watering 2x per week -- 3x when it's really hot, so I don't think the roots are too dry.

I'm thinking along the lines of Thanasis and John on this one Dot. Check your root system. Looks like fantastic clone at this sneak peak so far, hate to loose it.

When I repotted the plant in April, the roots weren't that great. I rechecked them now, and they are still not very good. Acceptable, but not great. I think maybe they were a bit too wet. I did notice a new growth starting, so I'm hoping more roots are on the way.

These shy blooms are beautiful. The plant seems a bit dehydrated (?) perhaps. Next time you will have gorgeous flowers...

Leaves look stressed, too hot or too dry. Better luck next time.

Actually, the part of the plant that looks droopy is the old growth without much roots. The new growth, with the spike, is quite stiff and healthy.

Might remain a mystery...
have to wonder what Dot's temps are like across the big lake from me. I've had a 90 degree plus heat wave for a good week. The weather this summer is like a ping pong ball. Yesterday morning a strong storm came thru & knocked power out to an estimated 800,000, eight hours later there were 525,000 still out & we're one of them! It's gonna be days! Thanks goodness we bought a generator last fall and it was more for the GH in case we lost power in the winter!

Rose, you are right about the ping pong ball. It's been like that since Winter. Winter never seems to end, and then we were cold and wet -- our river was in flood for almost two months -- but during the end of that time it was so dry here it baked the earth! And it was either very hot, or quite cool for summer. We, like you, have had weather in the high 80s and low 90's all month so far. Good thing plants are very tolerant -- more tolerant than I, sometimes!

Thanks, everyone for your comments and questions. I decided it is a cultural problem. I broke off the spike, repotted the plant in a slightly more airy mix, and placed the plant in a shadier spot, and will watch it like a hawk!

 

[Hera]

I can't believe any plant would dare to not bloom perfectly in your greenhouse! The rascal should be ashamed.
They are nice pictures though.

 

[John M]

I broke off the spike, repotted the plant in a slightly more airy mix, and placed the plant in a shadier spot, and will watch it like a hawk!

That'll fix it! I think as the spike and buds got larger, the water demands were more than the viable roots could deliver in this heat. So, a critical point was passed where the flowers could not longer hold themselves up firmly. In such a case, the very best thing is to cut the spike. Repotting into a more fine-tuned medium for your conditions was a good idea too. Good luck!

 

[Phrag-Plus]

Very nice clone and photo Dot, sorry too...
I found warscewiczii tricky when days are getting hot, they like light but not the heat.

 

[likespaphs]

... warscewiczii....

isn't this now popowii?

 

[SlipperFan]

isn't this now popowii?

Depends on which authority you consult. But that's why I have it as warscewiczii aka popowii.

Very nice clone and photo Dot, sorry too...
I found warscewiczii tricky when days are getting hot, they like light but not the heat.

I wonder if this is true for all the caudatum group? If so, I think I need to make some summertime changes in positions. Thanks Jean-Pierre.

 

[Rick]

Depends on which authority you consult. But that's why I have it as warscewiczii aka popowii.



I wonder if this is true for all the caudatum group? If so, I think I need to make some summertime changes in positions. Thanks Jean-Pierre.

Jerry Fisher has wrote a series of articles on Phrags (about the end of 2009 and into 2010) one of which had some comparative info on the different species in the caudatum group. I think exstaminodium and popowii like it the coolest followed by wallisii (warscewiczianum) followed by caudatum. I think in general they all like it a bit cooler and much wetter than many paphs (certainly big strap leaf species). You might also check out his cultural sheets for these species on his website.

 

[SlipperFan]

Jerry Fisher has wrote a series of articles on Phrags (about the end of 2009 and into 2010) one of which had some comparative info on the different species in the caudatum group. I think exstaminodium and popowii like it the coolest followed by wallisii (warscewiczianum) followed by caudatum. I think in general they all like it a bit cooler and much wetter than many paphs (certainly big strap leaf species). You might also check out his cultural sheets for these species on his website.

Thanks, Rick. This is a good article.