Den Speciosum spike journal. - Orchid Board

PuiPuiMolcar · #1 01-25-2023, 01:05 AM

Spike (or keikis lol) watching of this Aussie Den division from my dad's 20 years old Speciosum. I'll be updating this thread weekly

Keysguy · #2 01-25-2023, 07:22 AM

Interesting. Mine has never flowered out of the crown like that. It flowers from the "eyes" on the top of the canes just under the leaves.

Thant being said I have one spike on mine so far after having close to 20 last year. No clue what's going on.

Roberta · #3 01-25-2023, 10:40 AM

Looks normal. Thanks for sharing the "adventure"! I look forward to watching the progress.

The Den speciosum season is starting! I have spikes at that stage (and one plant a bit farther along) It is going to be a good year.

Keysguy · #4 01-25-2023, 12:14 PM

It does look normal.
Ignore my earlier post. I was thinking of spectabile when I wrote that.
That's what I get for posting before I've finished my first cup of coffee.

Jeff214 · #5 01-25-2023, 08:20 PM

Mine are spiking too! Mine seems to have on and off years - this year looks like “on” . Mine seems to flower best during rainier winters but… could just be coincidence.

Please keep us update on your spike development!

PuiPuiMolcar · #6 02-03-2023, 12:33 AM

Here's this week development.
5 spikes are all all emerging out of their shells. I'm so happy I wonder how far they can reach.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff214

Mine seems to flower best during rainier winters but… could just be coincidence.

I think so too, but this year was awfully cold too. thanks fully I didn't even have to water anything. But this month is the first wave of bugs so I have to be prepare for anything that come for the orchids outside.

Roberta · #7 02-03-2023, 12:45 AM

Don't worry, just watch. I have never had a bug problem on my Den speciosums. I think this will be a great year for them. I am guessing, maybe the first week or two of March.

It is no accident that the spring shows tend to have lots of spectacular ones. (Are you planning to go to the Santa Barbara show? March 10-12)

PuiPuiMolcar · #8 02-03-2023, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roberta

(Are you planning to go to the Santa Barbara show? March 10-12)

I truly hope I can make it! It will be my first time there. In fact I've just got back from the San Diego orchid society show last week. If only spring come by faster

Keysguy · #9 02-03-2023, 07:14 AM

I have buds starting on my speciosum as well. It will be first bloom for this plant.

A few nights of decent sleep finally cleared my head after that incoherent post I made here last week confusing speciosum and spectabile. I've been super busy wrangling vendors and doing detail planning work for 2 shows. Thankfully all that is finally cresting the wave and I can see the end in sight. It's fun but exhausting.

So, back to Jeff's comment about the impact of rain. We have had a pretty typical winter here. Some rain but probably about average. My speciosum is looking like it will bloom for the first time while my spectabile has 1 spike where last year I bet it had 2 dozen.

I don't know if there's a correlation to rain or not Jeff but I often think sometimes they just need a "rest" year to reinvigorate themselves, especially after a big flowering year.

Roberta · #10 02-03-2023, 10:56 AM

I don't think I have ever seen a pattern linked to rain. But I don't stop watering my speciosums in winter, they get a little less water when it doesn't rain, but so does everything else because things don't dry as fast in the cold. I cut back on the fertilizer for a couple of months, but don't do much of that either.

Keysguy, I sure do relate to the stresses of show planning. One is plenty, two would be brutal.