Ascocentrum Ampullaceum. What is this? (Photos) - Orchid Board

Cattleya17 · #1 05-19-2009, 08:02 PM

hey guys whats up?? how are things growing? well I hope! well I have this Asco and about 4 or 5 weeks ago I noticed nubs in between the leaves, the lowest set, and they were bright purple to red. now they are beginning to extend and there are two of them! never bloomed for me before and I've only had it through winter so I don't know what any type of new growth or bloom stems look like. Can you please help me out??

elitebettas · #2 05-19-2009, 08:55 PM

The growth on the right is either a spike or a keiki

whygreenberg · #3 05-19-2009, 10:39 PM

I can't see one of the nubbins very well, but the one which is clearly visible is most probably a spike! Looks like you're doing pretty well with this guy. Nice growing!

RosieC · #4 05-21-2009, 08:10 AM

The one on the right looks like the beginnings of a flower spike to me.

The one on the left looks more like a new root to me, but it's difficult to tell.

Anyway keep doing what you are doing and you should have flowers soon from at least one of them.

smweaver · #5 05-21-2009, 09:32 AM

Either spikes or keikis. My guess is that they're keikis. Ascocentrum species frequently make "babies" around the base of the parent plant (and I think--although I certainly could be wrong--that they also tend to produce flower spikes from higher up the stem). Whatever they end up being, you're to be congratulated since the plant is obviously happy. Good luck and let us know how the new growths progress.

Steve

metalop1g · #6 05-24-2009, 01:53 AM

How are things going? Can you post a full picture of the plant?

rogerman · #7 05-24-2009, 08:01 AM

Looks like you've got twins coming...... spikes that is...... For me, this is the time of the year that spikes start coming fast as it is the beginning of the rainy season.

Cattleya17 · #8 05-25-2009, 09:47 PM

Umm okay i can do that for you metalop1g it looks alot different now! got some sun and warmth so it looks alot more red! my copmputer with all my pics is down i am posting from my friend's computer sry. Rogerman thanks for your input! the other one is obscured in the photo but both are growing out and up! and there are three other growths just like them further up the plant in the leaf ranks one up above the ones in the photos and two in the leaf ranks above that. that description kinda stinks LOL. what makes you ask for a full plant photo out of curiosity? you want to see how the overall plant looks or for insight on your plant if i knew i could take better photos to answer your questions. iif you dont mind my asking!

rogerman · #9 05-26-2009, 09:24 AM

Well from your description you have more than likely got spikes coming up thick and fast.

I don't need to see the full photo of your plant basically because it isn't relevant. I see enough vandas and asco. daily to last me a lifetime. I counted my vandacious collection on Sunday and for the salable size, I have 2500 plants that are over 1 foot high, and another 5650 seedlings. Only a drop in the bucket for what i'm aiming at, but a good start.

wonderlen3000 · #10 05-27-2009, 01:26 PM

They are flower spikes. Asctm. ampullaceum have those bracts on the base of the flower spikes to protect them from getting damage. Depending on how you grow them they can be sitting for several weeks without any sign of spike showing up and once the plant get the right condition, the spikes shoot up.

Also remember, ampullaceum frequently rebloom from the same leaf-axis, basicall it can throw spikes again from where the old spike come out the next year.