Scary pictures

Well, I had this sago palm for many years. It would grow totally neglected, spend summers outside, winters inside, never any problems at all. Bottom leaves would yellow and die, but new leaves would emerge promptly:



Last weekend I needed to move it from the spot and noticed suspicious white spot on the top of one of the fronds. I looked at the back and almost fainted:




And here is the close up:





I took it out to garage in hopes that bugs will die in the cold and because didn't really want this to be inside around my orchids. Now I don't know if I should even bother to try and save it or just throw it away as is. I guess I could cut off all the fronds, but the pine-cone-like stem has so many rough creases that it would be impossible to clean them out completely, so I would never be sure that they are gone.
Should I just thorw it away?

Phalaenopsis lueddemanniana

Small seedling of Phalaenopsis lueddemanniana started a new leaf. It is one of the bunch that I got last summer after postal strike.
They got a bit overheated while travelling in the box, but mostly survived and are showing some growth one by one.

Micranthums

I didn't post these micranthums because they looked like growing spikes, so I was afraid to jinx it. Well, one of them blasted anyway, so there is no point to be supersticious anymore.
Good thing - one bud is still alive, although it seems like I am very good at blasting them, so be as it will be.
Paphiopedilum micranthum II:



Its spike close up:



Paphiopedilum micranthum III - blasted, dried and browned. Hope the plant will survive and produce new fans soon:

Dendrobium

This no id dendrobium came last year from the discount shelf of home renovation store. It didn't have flowers, neither had it roots.
I have used sphag-and-bag method and it grew the new canes, they are potted together and you can still see the pieces of old canes:




Naturally when I saw one of the new canes maturing, I started to wait for a spike.
Well, there is still no spike, but today I have noticed a new growth appearing from the smallest cane.
I wonder why?

Paph armeniacum II

A week passed and there is not much changes to the actual bud, but the spike sure got much taller.
The picture is sort of clumzy because I wanted to see the full length of the spike:



Although maybe it did get a bit fuller and plump, or maybe it is just a wishful thinking. Just like watched kettle that never boils.






I think I will do the next update in two weeks...

Phalaenopsis bellina ('Ingrid Ohh' x 'Joy' AM/AOS)

After new root finally there is a new leaf. It is just starting and hard to see but it is there, hurray!

Got "meself" a new book

Since I am officially into paphiopedilums now, I was looking for the information. Somewhere on the orchid board this book was mentioned. I looked it up on amazon and was surprised to see that it is: a) in stock; b) totally affordable.
So here it is :









I just started reading, but already went through all the pictures - they are amazing.
If you want one too - amazon.ca has it on sale.

Neofinetia falcata 'Shojo'

Just couple weeks after arrival, Neofinetia falcata 'Shojo' produced three new, healthy, cute and purple roots.
Two are on this side and one - on the back:




Does it mean she is happy? I hope so!

Pink NoId Phalaenopsis

The new years bloom on my pretty pink NoId Phalaenopsis is still here. Last weekend I finally captured its true color in the daylight without sun:

Paphiopedilum wenshanense

Very cute and small Paphiopedilum wenshanense is actually ready to bloom. I think it is trying to have a spike but it is either blasting or not developing correctly. Or maybe it is just slow.



A new fan is forming on the back, so if this bud will not work - there is a back up:





I love the look of paphs with mottled leaves. I would grow them even if they didn't flower, just for the leaves

Paph armeniacum II bud

I have this pathetic habit of posting almost weekly progress of any spike or bud that is currently developing on my orchids. I understand that posting progress will not speed the process, but here it is again.
Paphiopedilum armeniacum II bud - the spike didn't grow any taller much, but bud shell uncovered a bit of petals. They are greenish instead of yellow, but I guess it wll change in a while.

Phalaenopsis kunstleri

Something strange started to grow from the bottom leaf axis on Phal. kunstleri. The location is not usual for the root, but it doesn't look like spike to me either.
I got it in the fall as a medium seedling, so it could not be spike already. Any ideas?



Image probably has to be clicked to enlarge and see what I am talking about.

Paphiopedilum emersonii

The little baby fan on Paph emersonii is very slow. Now it got some brown spot on one of the tips. I dusted it with cinnamon as couldn't dare to cut any part of such small leaf. Hope it will not spread.



When watering I accidentally spilled couple of coconut husk chips from the surface and uncovered yet one more new fan starting (small green thing at the bottom of the picture):



I really was hoping that plant would grow one fan to the bloom before starting the next one, but unfortunately I have no vote in this. Now my Paph. emersonii needs energy to grow two fans at once, so I guess it will be twice longer before I see any flower...

Masdevallia amplexa

I got my Masdevallia amplexa last fall to see if I will be able to grow masdies at all. I am glad to report that it is still alive and there are two green nubs coming out, they look like new growth and even have cute little roots:



Easily encouraged, I am now browsing Ecuagenera website looking form my next masdie to order in March. Should stick to the ones that tolerate warm conditions though.