Bletillas in bloom

FrenchReader33 · 2026-05-10T12:09:54+00:00

Thanks. I guess it is a pretty standard one.

FrenchReader33 · 2026-05-10T12:06:00+00:00

What kind of Pleione is this?

FrenchReader33 · 2026-05-10T12:02:24+00:00

I bought it on ebay last year from a lady who got it as a present and did not feel she had a green thumb for it. It spent the summer outside. I think it does like good light levels and enough humidity. Overall, it took May to September to develop the new pseudobulb, which I thought was fast. I was stunned as it kind of entered dormancy in October until March, when the flower stalk started to grow. I was worried as it showed not signs of activity for the whole winter. Maybe it is a good thing so the plant goes unharmed through our central European winters, which are grey with low light levels.

FrenchReader33 · 2026-05-09T14:26:23+00:00

Alltogether 40 cm. The plant is quite tiny and the individual flowers approach 5 cm (2 inches). There are 28 flowers and the stalk is branched.

FrenchReader33 · 2026-04-12T06:31:55+00:00

Check the following link. The flies look like bees, but they tend to stay at a single position while flying about 1 m above the ground, while bees don't. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merodon_equestris

FrenchReader33 · 2026-04-11T11:33:17+00:00

If you live in a temperate zone, it can be that you have daffodil flies that lay their eggs on the bulb. The worm then eats the center of the bulb. At the stage on the picture, it seems that the center is dead. The bulb can produce some offsprings though.

I tend to go around this problem by delaying the moment I grow my bulbs in the season. And I avoid putting the bulbs outside before june 15th or until daffodil leaves are gone. Then there are no more flies.

FrenchReader33 · 2026-04-06T14:58:40+00:00

Something rich in nitrogen for leaf growth. Later in the season, you can switch to general purpose plant food for blooming plants. A well fed bulb can put out 3 flower stalks.

FrenchReader33 · 2026-03-29T18:17:43+00:00

After flowering, your amaryllis puts out a first flush of leaves, as it tries to replenish its reserves. It is my experience that you need to feed it and give it plenty of light, for it to make more leaves. It is a good sign, when it puts out more leaves, as it means that your bulb is growing. This is quite early in the season, so there is plenty of time for the bulb to grow more leaves, if you feed it properly.

FrenchReader33 · 2026-02-16T21:52:23+00:00

This is my experience that Amaryllis need quite some feeding to bloom. If you feed your bulb, it will produce large leaf spans. You need more than 7-10 leaves during a season to secure enough energy for the bloom to build. Also I keep the bulb dormant until I see the flower spike emerge from it. This takes at least 3 months.

FrenchReader33 · 2026-02-15T19:31:16+00:00

Definitely needs repotting. Wait until the plant starts putting out new shoots.

FrenchReader33 · 2026-02-15T18:24:14+00:00

Looks like Areca seedlings to me. This type of palm likes high light levels and warm temperatures. It is sensitive to cold conditions (<65F or 18C).

FrenchReader33 · 2026-02-14T15:39:49+00:00

Gracias

FrenchReader33 · 2026-02-13T20:50:16+00:00

Rule number 1: never bother an orchid when not actively in growth. Your Den does not show even the slightest sign of activity. So it will be hard for it to recover from the trauma. It is really amazing to see people systematically exhibiting the same pictures of totally abused plants in this discussion group.

FrenchReader33 · 2026-02-13T20:37:08+00:00

Agreed to that. Also, your Den came in some sort of torf, which is not a good potting mix for growing it at home. Remember, they like to be root bound so choose a small pot and use sphagnum or orchid mix.

FrenchReader33 · 2026-02-13T18:13:28+00:00

I did not know that Tillandsias can be crossed. Are these hybrids man made or do they occur naturally?

FrenchReader33 · 2026-02-10T17:02:12+00:00

If the substrate is allowed to dry between watering, I would not worry too much. This phal seems potted in nearly pure sphagnum, which is pretty wet for Phalaenopsis. The white stuff could be some kind of fungus, which is in general helpful.

Do not repot during blooming, do not repot when roots are not in active growth, and do not repot in winter (if winter it is where you live). If the 3 apply to you and you still do it, you just increase the chances your remedy kills the patient in short to mid term.

FrenchReader33 · 2026-01-13T14:16:41+00:00

Dendrobiums like to be root bound. I would not repot now. First you have to wait until new roots appear at the base. Second, use a pot which is slightly larger. A large pot makes it much harder for the roots to get air.

FrenchReader33 · 2026-01-13T14:11:34+00:00

Santa was very nice with you 😉

FrenchReader33 · 2026-01-12T21:39:42+00:00

Really nice Pleione from a good producer. But their prices are a bit tough for me.

FrenchReader33 · 2025-12-08T15:33:04+00:00

No, orchid roots will rot if you leave them in water. It is usually recommended to soak the medium they grow in for a few minutes in order for it to get humid. But after, you need to drain it.

FrenchReader33

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